Fitted with

Strings.

Resonator Mandolin in more detail

The resonator mandolin body is made from a shaped 1 mm thick, 50mm wide strip sandwiched between two 1mm plates; the back shaped for ridgidity. The seams are butt soldered together.

The neck is wider than a standard mandolin. ( You can order your own specification neck if you desire). This is popular with people who have come from playing the guitar.

The neck is made from a wood called Utiel or Utile. It looks exactly like mahogany which I cannot use now as the import of it into the UK is illegal. It also works and feels like mahogany. The fretboard is made from ebony with position dots at frets 3, 5, 7, 10, 12 and 15. The 12th fret dot is larger than the rest. There are also side dots at these positions, with two at the 12th.

The neck is fixed to the body by a through the body neck stick. The body has a sound well.

The tailpiece is made from mild steel and then nickel plated. I originally made them from brass but they split and failed after several years use. This is problem is not unknown with larger brand resophonic instruments but I didn't know this in the year 2000 when I started making resonator mandolins and ukuleles.

I fit ball end strings. ( D'Addario EJ70's) The tailpiece can take loop end strings.

The resonator cone itself is made by me. I have made a pattern for it that is attached to a motor. The aluminium alloy is heat treated and then clamped to the pattern. The aluminium sheet is then spun and worked into aseperate pattern to create the spiral corregations. It sits in the sound well, held in place by 2 screws.

The two pick ups I fit to the mandolin are ones I designed and make myself. I fit one directly to the cone, close to the edge and slightly to the bass side and the other under the biscuit to achive a fuller sound.

I can fit a pick-up of your choice.There may be an extra charge depending on the cost of the pick-up chosen.

The Delux Mandolin

The delux mandolin has the same body but has an ebony veneered headstock with mother of pearoid binding around the fretboard and head.

ordering information