Workpage 12-25
Mandola Project
I have had this instrument in my shop many years, and never though anything about it really.
10 strings, and made in the likeness of some of the "Fluke" ukuleles to some extent.
The ones that have the fiberglass back and wooden top.
Since there have been many 10 string instruments over time, I cannot guess what they called this one.
I found no others like this in a Google Image search but I did not look long.
I looked at it a few days ago and pondered the scale which measured out to around 23"
That made me gain interest.
Like an Octave Mandolin, Bouzouki, Mandola
It has a pickup inside that is functional.
Its bridge must have been screwed on and that gave way sometime in its life.
Someone just glued it back down, a better idea anyway with that much surface contact.
Movable bridge saddle with a fret wire saddle, on felt.
I did run a couple of strings on it to test the pickup and other aspects of the build and was encouraged to move along.
As you can see, a very short fingerboard.
I will only show the high points, not mundane Clamping/gluing/Finish pics.
Here is my thought patterns / actions emerging, in the pics below
10 strings, and made in the likeness of some of the "Fluke" ukuleles to some extent.
The ones that have the fiberglass back and wooden top.
Since there have been many 10 string instruments over time, I cannot guess what they called this one.
I found no others like this in a Google Image search but I did not look long.
I looked at it a few days ago and pondered the scale which measured out to around 23"
That made me gain interest.
Like an Octave Mandolin, Bouzouki, Mandola
It has a pickup inside that is functional.
Its bridge must have been screwed on and that gave way sometime in its life.
Someone just glued it back down, a better idea anyway with that much surface contact.
Movable bridge saddle with a fret wire saddle, on felt.
I did run a couple of strings on it to test the pickup and other aspects of the build and was encouraged to move along.
As you can see, a very short fingerboard.
I will only show the high points, not mundane Clamping/gluing/Finish pics.
Here is my thought patterns / actions emerging, in the pics below
I will go from 10 to 8 tuners
Now dyed blac, with MOP inlay.
All cured
re-attached
Installing 2.9 mm fret wire.
Plenty of room to adjust intonation if needed.
All of the fiberglass is good.
AAA grade Rosewood, plectrum scale.
Cutting the pegs.
14" radius
Maybe it was made for short songs :)
I will rebuild the affected areas.
Removing these will scale it out to the bridge.
And then peghead.
Ready for inlay.
Added 3/32" side markers
Bridge Work
Now I will tackle the formidable task of creating an 8 course bridge from a 10 course bridge.
Since they drilled all of the holes through the base before it was mounted there is no way to fill 10, re-drill 8, while on the instrument.
So I will go about it in my normal manned. Stare at it for a long time, them pick up a tool and go forth with an idea in mind.
Now I will tackle the formidable task of creating an 8 course bridge from a 10 course bridge.
Since they drilled all of the holes through the base before it was mounted there is no way to fill 10, re-drill 8, while on the instrument.
So I will go about it in my normal manned. Stare at it for a long time, them pick up a tool and go forth with an idea in mind.
Neck finish complete, tuners installed.
Inset installed
Dyed and finished.
I will work on string spacings and setup tweaks.
Center section removed, new brass string guide and inset wood.
Holes drilled in guide
How I will attach with loop ends
Nice action and tone, so will keep going.
Slight angle for the string guide.
All glued and profiled.
Bridge is delicate and looks good.
1-26 Final pics with ball end strings and tiny tortoid pick guard
I tried it in Octave Mandolin first, it was good but I wanted to try it with ball end strings at CGDA tuning (MANDOLA)
So I strung it light, 28-26-14-10 on first test.
I will move the C to a .032 and the G to .024 for a tension that I will like better.
Plays well, I do not like the pickup at all, it is too sensitive and hums. No matter, I could change it if I wanted to. I'll pick on it in a non-elec. mode.
I tried it in Octave Mandolin first, it was good but I wanted to try it with ball end strings at CGDA tuning (MANDOLA)
So I strung it light, 28-26-14-10 on first test.
I will move the C to a .032 and the G to .024 for a tension that I will like better.
Plays well, I do not like the pickup at all, it is too sensitive and hums. No matter, I could change it if I wanted to. I'll pick on it in a non-elec. mode.
Thanks for looking and sharing,
VM
VM