Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Here is one of my recent mandolins. Very pleasing sound, really surprised me. I call it the Ash tone monster.
Top: Carpathian Spruce
Back and sides: Tassie Oak
Neck: Qld Maple
Bindings: Myrtle
Pickguard: Blackwood



Peter

Does his mean Bunnings is now a Preferred Vendor?

Very sweet work there Peter. Easy to see why your instruments get sold OS, they are beautiful, the fit and finish is world class.

Cheers

Kim

Very pretty Peter!

I'm no expert on Mando's but I can see & appreciate quality work.............this has it in bundles Peter. I'm liking the nice 'clean' look it has to it & the understated elegance of it all. Thanks for posting, I like a bit of string porn to start the morning.
What is the little black block behind the bridge? Is that just to tie the strings together or does it have some effect on the tone? I've also just noticed some holes at either end of the bridge..Saddle height adjustment?

Very tasty instrument Peter. I really like that beeswing figure that you often find in Tas Oak

What a beautiful instrument Peter.

Jeremy.

What is the little black block behind the bridge? Is that just to tie the strings together or does it have some effect on the tone? I've also just noticed some holes at either end of the bridge..Saddle height adjustment?

The little black block behind the bridge is an Ebony "wood nymph" made by Sound to Earth (i.e. Weber). It dampens the string vibrations between the bridge and the tailpiece, and also gives your hand something to rest on so it does not rest on the bridge. Keeping your hand off the bridge is a good thing because it will tend to dampen the instrument as you play.
Ha, ha, the sides did actually come from Bunnings, but the back came from Monaro Timbers in Canberra. It was one big wide plank that I made a one piece back from. If you are in Bunnings at the right time you can score some quality pieces of figured Tassie Oak. It is just a matter of sorting through the pile and getting to it before someone else finds it. I have found some excellent pieces at times (now stashed in the workshop) and Bunnings have no idea what they have. Just watch out for splits along the edge. If you find any spits on the edge, there is a good chance there are internal splits that you can't see.

I was so impressed with the sound of this instrument I started a F hole mandolin with the same woods. That is now being varnished. Can hardly wait to get the strings on.

Peter