Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Here are a few backsides of some recent mandolins. From left, Queensland Walnut, Blackwood, Red Gum, and Indian Rosewood. I was kind of hoping the Qld Walnut would be disappointing, but quite the contrary. Looks and sounds great, one of the best. It cost me two wrecked bandsaw blades. One when re-sawing the back, the other when sawing out the neck. Fortunately I did manage to re-saw two backs before the blade was cactus, but was some smoke towards the end.

Yeah, I does look really nice under finish. Definitely a bit walnut like. You didn’t mention the smell - and does it linger in the finished instrument? I must admit that I do sniff guitars.........

No that Qld Walnut stink does not linger in the finished instrument. If I sniff the soundhole I can just detect it, but mostly smell varnish and glue.