This is my first time making an archtop-guitar-bodied octave mandolin, so it is mildly experimental. The body shape is from the mold I made for a Gibson L-0 soundbox several years ago. I realized one day that this mold I had sitting around was very similar in shape to the 17″ archtop guitar body mold I made from Robert Benedetto’s book and plans, but in a 14″ size. I was originally thinking of making a 14″ archtop guitar with this mold, and I still would like to do that when I have time.
The back, sides, blocks and neck are all African mahogany, the soundboard is Sitka spruce from Alaska Tonewoods, and the fretboard, peghead overlay and bridge are all streaky ebony. The dots are pearl and I can add pearl side dots for $20. The fretboard has a 12″ radius. The tuners are Gotoh, the strings are the archtop set from Northfield, the adjustable bridge thumbwheels came from Stew-Mac, and the tailpiece is a generic import. There is a two way truss rod in the neck. The nut is Corian. The finish is Tru Oil. The scale length is 22″ and the nut width is 1-1/2″. I do not have a case for this instrument. To see a video demonstration of sorts please follow the link below.
