This is my second archtop-guitar-bodied octave mandolin, so it is still 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 have also made a 14″ archtop guitar with this mold.
The back, sides, and neck are curly maple, the blocks are African mahogany, the soundboard is Sitka spruce from Alaska Tonewoods, the fretboard and bridge are persimmon, and the headstock overlay and truss rod cover are spalted beech. The dots are brass and I can add brass side dots for $10. The fretboard has a 12″ radius. The tuners are Gotoh, the strings are D’Addario EJ80, 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.
