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Just completed this Brescian Mandolin in curly Claro Walnut and Curly Maple.
It has geared tuning pegs and Aquilla nylon strings. Tuned to a standard GDAE.
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A fine creation, David. Very elegant design and timber choices. The geared violin tuning pegs are such a good idea too.
Thank you. John. I think the traditional mustache bridge is a bit too much "19th century", so I tried for something more contemporary. The arm rest is a nice nod to the designs of the modern German and Italian builders.
Beautiful work, David. A pleasure to the eye and I'm certain to the ear.
I am an architect and a furniture and industrial designer, though not an instrument designer.
The task of designing something as complex as a bowlback mandolin with both a particular functionality and balancing historical and contemporary design aesthetics is an extraordinary task.
You've done an amazing job. Elegant and delightful.
A question though, as I have never played a Brescian mandolin (though my theorbo-playing nipote, Pablo, has his eye out for one)....
The action appears a tad high for a steel strung bowlback player like myself.
Is this a function of the photo angle, or do the strings used allow for a bit higher playing action in favor of pick technique, sound quality, etc.?
Thank you so much for sharing.
Mick
Thank you for the kind words, Mick. The action is set at .03 at the first fret, and .09 at the 12th fret. I think this is pretty standard for nylon stringed instruments like the ukulele. The fretboard is thicker than normal in order to provide some additional strength for the neck-to-bowl joint. This may give the impression of higher action over the strings.
I did a thread a while back about the design process.
You might be interested in it: "Building a Mandolino Bresciano in 40 pictures".
I am currently working on Bresciano #5, with a claro walnut bowl. It is a little larger version than the photos above. Pablo might be interested?
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Thanks, David.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tukanu
You know, I went back to look again on your photos and I realized what threw my eye off...being only single strung, there is a tad more distance between the edge of the fretboard and the low (G?) string. I believe that made the strings appear to be hovering higher....in zooming in the look just great.
I'll check in with my nephew and see what his thoughts are. He (well, his parents likely) just shelled out for a new custom made theorbo so he may be strapped for a little while. (That sounds kind of odd. Are there any non-custom made theorbos...?)
Would be nice to get your work on his radar so I'll pass your CCM link along to him.
Mick