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Thread: My new instrument is being built!

  1. #1
    Butcherer of Songs Rob Zamites's Avatar
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    Thumbs up My new instrument is being built!

    Yep, not quite sure what to call it, but I commissioned Stan Pope of Big Leaf Mandolins in Kelowna, BC to build me a 'WalkaRound Dulcimer'. After a few email discussions, I opted to go full chromatic fretting instead of diatonic, figuring I can mark the diatonic frets with some inlay stickers while I get a feel for playing again.

    Now, this has a scale length of 20.75", and 3 courses (Dd-aa-dd), so it's not really an octave mando, so errrmmmm, does it still qualify as a CBOM because it's chromatic?

    Stan said it would be 6-8 weeks, and he'll send me pics as progress is made - I did opt for one major change though, instead of a spruce top, he's making it out of a nice piece of Western red cedar:

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    I'm looking forward to getting my new instrument, no matter what I call it!
    =============================
    Apollonio Acousto-electric bouzouki (in shop)
    Mixter 10 string mandola (still waiting 2+ yrs)
    Unknown brand Mandocaster (on the way!)
    =============================
    "Doubt begins only at the last frontiers of what is possible." -- Ambrose Bierce

  2. #2
    Registered User Mandobart's Avatar
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    Default Re: My new instrument is being built!

    Western Redcedar is an awesome tonewood. I have a mandolin and OM built with it. And we're here in the land of the great western red!

  3. #3
    Butcherer of Songs Rob Zamites's Avatar
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    Default Re: My new instrument is being built!

    I opted for the cedar just because I like the mellower richer tones that it will produce vs. spruce - I don't have to cut through any b@n!o players!
    =============================
    Apollonio Acousto-electric bouzouki (in shop)
    Mixter 10 string mandola (still waiting 2+ yrs)
    Unknown brand Mandocaster (on the way!)
    =============================
    "Doubt begins only at the last frontiers of what is possible." -- Ambrose Bierce

  4. #4
    Registered User Mandobart's Avatar
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    Default Re: My new instrument is being built!

    Ability to cut through a loud mix IMHO is less about tonewood used and more about graduating, hole type/size, bracing, and above all playing style. My cedar tops are plenty loud, and they're both oval hole.

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