Ebony mandolin

This is a recently finished flat top mandolin that is a bit unusual. It was experimental so I had no idea how it would sound. The back and sides are of Macassar Ebony, top is Red Spruce, neck Brazilian Mahogany, bindings are Bloodwood. The Ebony came from some mandolin size Ebony I purchased 25 years ago and have been saving it for a special project because cutting this stuff up is like pouring money down the sink, only the money is actually sawdust. Well this is the special project so I used some dark Brazilian Mahogany for the neck. Could say it is the rare woods mandolin. Turned out incredibly well. The mandolin looks stunning, and the sound is so good I am not selling this one, it stays right here, well until I make one better. However, at the moment I can't imagine a flat top mandolin could sound any better than this one. If we are onto a good thing stick to it, so I made another one and that should be finished in a week or two.

Don't believe me? Here are some MP3 sound clips
http://petercoombe.com/Sound/classic...-inchiquin.mp3
http://petercoombe.com/Sound/classic.../hornpipe7.mp3
http://petercoombe.com/Sound/classic...ttop/begsi.mp3
http://petercoombe.com/Sound/classic...er-fellows.mp3

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Sounds great and looks gorgeous!

That looks great! The body shape reminds me of a flat top L&H, I've always had a soft spot for back and side wood like that! How hard was the sides to bend? I know some use my ultimate favorite Cocobolo for guitars but it seems it would be very tough to bend, Well for an amateur like me anyways! Well done!

I just listened to the Demo's and very nice tone!

That is lovely! The colors of the woods and the way they look together is very appealing and it sounds very nice. Don't blame you one bit for keeping it! :mandosmiley:

I especially like the bindings.

Peter. your mandolin looks classy! I love the wood combinations! It sounds incredible too!

The Ebony sides were not difficult to bend, but the bloodwood bindings were. Bloodwood is difficult to bend and is brittle, so much bad language was directed at the bindings. However, the end result was worth the trouble.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by peter.coombe

The Ebony sides were not difficult to bend, but the bloodwood bindings were. Bloodwood is difficult to bend and is brittle, so much bad language was directed at the bindings. However, the end result was worth the trouble.

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I never would have thought I would like that color for binding. But that is stunning. "It ties the room together".

The whole instrument is beautiful.

Sweeeet! :cool:

Just WOW! She's a beauty.