Now first things first Loren . . . gotta stay on track 
Well, I’m not getting anything made in the foreseeable future, as I’m in the process of having to sell off all my flute/whistle making machinery. As luck would have it, my milling machine sold to a local guitar luthier.
Making mandos would actually be “easier” in some respects, because I wouldn’t need the shop space required for so much machinery.
Regardless, it’s all just daydreaming for now.
At any rate, enjoy the new mando
Loren
Thanks Loren, and I will do my best to enjoy it.
Matt
Wow, Matt,
I love the one piece back. Nice mando!
Christopher
Thanks!
Okay, here’s some soundclips. Quickies. Not only am I a beginner, but I haven’t touched a mando in a month . . . with that being said, here’s some clips. There are three of just playing the G scale with three different picks. Then I did a quick record of some chord chops to hopefully give you a better idea. I haven’t filtered or done anything to the sound files (not my expertise). So if you don’t like my playing or my recording, I hope you don’t hold it against Austin
Here’s a quick chord chop or two:
http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/12/13/507640/quikchop.mp3
Here’s a G scale with Dawg pick:
http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/12/13/507640/gscale_dawg.mp3
Here’s a G scale with Dunlop 1.14 mm pick (pink):
http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/12/13/507640/gscale_dunlop1.14mm.mp3
Here’s a G scale with Dunlop 2.00 mm pick (purple):
http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/12/13/507640/gscale_dunlop2mm.mp3
sounds nice!
no doubt the faithful at MC instructed you in the proper method of breaking it in: set it in front of your stereo speakers and blast Monroe through it non-stop for 72 hours… 
Nobody said anything about 72 hours! 
My fingers are going back through the sore phase (gotta start that all over again).
if’n that don’t work, there’s always the Frank Wakefield method: put it in a 300°F oven for about two hours…
I wouldn’t want to think what that would actually do to a mandolin . . .