Hi from a newbie.

[mikeyb2]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum and also new to the mandolin. I live in the UK and am a hobby builder who has built various instruments over the past 5 or 6 years, including stick dulcimers, banjos(5string), tenor ukuleles, and 000/OM style guitars.

When I finish my current guitar builds in the coming months, I'll be looking for a new challenge in building a mandolin. I don't play mandolin(yet) and don't really know too much about them. However, I've taken the first step by ordering the Stewmac plans for both the A5 and F5, with the intention of starting on the A5.

Over the coming weeks, I intend to do as much research as possible, including watching YT videos and putting questions to this forum, and would appreciate any help.

For the time being , it would be helpful to know of any decent suppliers (UK)of mandolin woods, i.e. maple and spruce wedges etc. It's far too expensive to import from the US or elsewhere, because of the import duties and taxes over here. Maybe the UK members might chip in here.

Thanks in advance , Mike.

[Simon DS]

Whatever you do, don’t let anyone lend you a mandolin.
The mandolin is like a lover.
You play it just once and you wont have time for anything else.

[tonydxn]

Welcome Mike . . .

If you want to make carved style mandolins, I think you'll find that the wood sold for making violins is about the right size (not sure about the sides though). Touchstone Tonewoods sell it https://www.touchstonetonewoods.co.u...olin-tonewood/ but I'm sure there are others. If you want to make flatbacks, you can get two instruments out of a guitar set of back and sides.

Whereabouts in the UK are you?

[french guy]

Hello mikeyb2
you could ask to Bernard Michaud from France , he have a lot of material
his website in english version is :https://www.bois-lutherie.com/bois_english.html

and the price are here ( look to viola for use to mandolin making : https://www.bois-lutherie.com/tarifs_english.html

[mikeyb2]

Welcome Mike . . .

If you want to make carved style mandolins, I think you'll find that the wood sold for making violins is about the right size (not sure about the sides though). Touchstone Tonewoods sell it https://www.touchstonetonewoods.co.u...olin-tonewood/ but I'm sure there are others. If you want to make flatbacks, you can get two instruments out of a guitar set of back and sides.

Whereabouts in the UK are you?

Thanks Tony, I'll check that out. I have dealt with them a few times but never looked at their violin woods. It is carving that I'm interested in, and thanks for reminding me that I haven't provided my location to my profile. I'm in the Stockport area.
regards Mike.

[mikeyb2]

Hello mikeyb2
you could ask to Bernard Michaud from France , he have a lot of material
his website in english version is :https://www.bois-lutherie.com/bois_english.html

and the price are here ( look to viola for use to mandolin making : https://www.bois-lutherie.com/tarifs_english.html

Merci Jean, for the info. I'll add it to my list.
Mike.

[Ray(T)]

If you’re in Stockport I assume you know about https://tonetechluthiersupplies.co.uk but I’m not sure about stuff suitable for mandolin. You could always ask or call in and struggle with the lift! There used to be a place just down the road from me in Chapel en le Frith but I think they’ve moved.

[mikeyb2]

If you’re in Stockport I assume you know about https://tonetechluthiersupplies.co.uk but I’m not sure about stuff suitable for mandolin. You could always ask or call in and struggle with the lift! There used to be a place just down the road from me in Chapel en le Frith but I think they’ve moved.

Hi Ray, I was in there the other day, thanks. I don't think Bill stocks wedges, but I'll check with him. Incidentally, maybe you've not been there for a while, but there is a new lift which is a little less daunting. Agreed the old was very dodgy.
cheers Mike.

[Ray(T)]

Thats good to hear, it always left you thinking you were never going to get out again! Come to think of it, a mate of mine has just carved a mandolin top; he found a large sap pocket in the wood he acquired from Jed Green, I’ll aske him where it came from.

[Ray(T)]

I’ve PMd you.