Build your own mandolin!

Trad Strings
1

I wanted a round hole mandolin as a contrast to my Fullerton Gloucester F-style, but didn’t want to spend a lot. I bought a kit from International Violins without the F-holes cut for a whopping $130. All of the critical woodworking on these kits is already done. There’s still plenty to do, but it’s not really difficult, nor does it require a huge woodworking shop. I posted my results over on Mandolin Cafe:

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?77867-My-IV-(mostly)-finished.&p=974156#post974156

If you’ve wanted a mandolin but didn’t want to make a huge purchase, this is a really nice option.

2

Looks great Paul! I was thinking of doing an IV kit before more wrist/arm problems made playing all but impossible. :imp: Anyway, so it sounds tight eh? Why not rent a ToneRite and run that on the mando for a week or two? That ought to open it up a bit.

3

So how do you like it compared to the Fullerton? I’ve thought of trying out a kit before. Either the IV or possibly a Stew Mac campfire mandolin kit.

4

The Fullerton still sounds and feels better, but I’ll reserve final judgement until I’ve played it a while.

5

That’s a real beauty, Paul. Congrats of a nice job.

I tried to make a dulcimer from a kit years ago, but I didn’t have the tools. By the time I finished I’d spent at least three times what the thing would have cost finished! :blush: