Bear claw spruce & red gum mando

[lamanoditrento]

I bought a bunch of spruce tops from Martin Turner a couple of years ago and he threw in a small bear claw soundboard. It has been kicking around my stash until a couple of things happened. A student approached the Brissy school armed with Graham's booking and asked to make a mandolin. The student made two mandolins with me and they were really fun builds. I also 'won' one of Pete Curly's instagram auctions which included a long redgum solid body set. I was so impressed with the student's builds that I couldn't resist making one.

I have to say also that Graham's book is great. My build was a quick hit of fun, I think it took longer to french polish it than it took to build. In addition to the bear claw spruce and redgum back and sides, the neck is silver quandong and the fretboard and bindings are ringed gidgee (which the photos don't do justice of).

[Bob_H]

That looks very nice. I recently bought a mandolin to help me learn a bit about them, as I would also like to make one. Inspiring!

[Dave M]

Very nice looking Trent.

I got started on a build from Graham's book but the gardening season opened and it is somewhat paused! Must get back to it.

What type of neck body joint did you use?

[lamanoditrento]

What type of neck body joint did you use?

I used basically a butt join, however I installed a cross grain support block a bit like an inverted tenon to support the single threaded insert. I didn't like the idea of the threaded insert and all that end grain.