Electric mandolin prototype

Posted By on May 9, 2013

Here’s a picture of an electric mandolin prototype I recently knocked together.  The body is pine, with a curly maple veneer cap.  The neck came off a cadaver instrument  (this is, after all, a prototype).  And the pickup is one that I wound, using a block magnet as its core.  I’m pleased with the sound of it — it’s sweet and usable in a variety of styles.

I based the shape on an old Kay Kraft mandolin.  It’s a shape I like, as it seems to come from the same aesthetic palette as the f-style, but is less ornate.  It’s a classic, American mandolin shape that is less often seen and isn’t trying to be something else (like a scaled-down guitar).

I’d love to make more!

 

Prototype for the electric mandolin.  Now taking orders!

Prototype for the electric mandolin. Now taking orders!

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Back off, man. I'm a luthier.

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