I have been keeping this one hidden for a while although it was completed a number of months ago. However, the flat top mandolin was being built as a Christmas present and I was trying to keep things secretive. But now that the recipient has it I can reveal all the new owner had been talking about getting a mandolin for a while, and what better than something handmade.
Walnut flat top mandolin specs
- Back and sides – English Walnut
- Soundboard – European Spruce
- Neck – Sycamore with walnut centre splice
- Fretboard – Laburnum
- Bridge – Laburnum
- Headstock overlays – English Walnut
- Finish – Hand rubbed Liberon finishing oil
For the walnut mandolin, I decided to go for a flat top / back mandolin built in a similar method to an acoustic guitar rather than using carved top and back plates. The term flat top is slightly deceiving, as there is actually an radius to both the soundboard and back. This has been induced by using radius braces. and gluing up in a radius dish.
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- Gluing on the back braces
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- Close up of sound hole rosette
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- Carving the braces
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- Gluing up the soundboard braces
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- Top and back plates braced
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- To and back plates
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- Gluing in the reverse kerfed linings
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- Sanding a radius on the linings
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- Soundboard glued on
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- Back glued on
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- The body is now closed
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- Test fitting neck
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- Test fitting neck
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- Test fitting neck
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- Starting to take shape
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- Laburnum Fretboard
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- Heal Joint
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- Label
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- Bridge Close up
