New Piccolo (Sopranino) Mandolin

[Bob Clark]

Here is my latest Piccolo (Sopranino) Mandolin build, completed just a few days ago. I am still tweaking the setup, but am pleased with it already. I love its sweet, clear voice and easy playability.

I wrote about my piccolo project in an earlier thread here: https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...ilding-Project

This is not simply a small Gdae-tuned mandolin, but the next higher instrument in the mandolin family. These are about the same size as a concert ukulele, with a 10.5" scale length. Tuned Cgda, a fourth above a mandolin or a full octave above a mandola, they add a distinctive, sweet voice to an ensemble. I had Mike Black build me a carved-top A-style piccolo a couple of years ago which I love and recommend, but I am now having fun with these flat-tops, too. These have become my go-to instrument for relaxed picking around the house, and blend well with classical guitar in my Renaissance/ World Music Duo.

This one is built with an Adirondack Spruce top, Red Maple neck, hard Yellow Pine back, sides and headstock overlay (flooring cut-offs), a bamboo fretboard and maple bridge. The Yellow Pine was an unconventional choice, but I have saved these floorboard cutoffs for many years because they were too pretty to part with. I decided to give them a go. They are a pain in the neck to bend, but resulted in a really sweet instrument. Don't consider them like other pine woods; they are heavy, resinous and harder than you might think. The nut is naturally-shed deer antler found on my farm. For stain, I used reduced dry Fuji Apple wine, and I finish with a hardening oil.

I hope you like the look. I am having a lot of fun with this one!

[pheffernan]

This one is built with an Adirondack Spruce top, Red Maple neck, hard Yellow Pine back, sides and headstock overlay (flooring cut-offs), a bamboo fretboard and maple bridge. The Yellow Pine was an unconventional choice, but I have saved these floorboard cutoffs for many years because they were too pretty to part with. I decided to give them a go. They are a pain in the neck to bend, but resulted in a really sweet instrument. Don't consider them like other pine woods; they are heavy, resinous and harder than you might think.

I love the organic aesthetic, Bob. Is that long-leaf yellow pine like David Newton uses on some of his guitars?

[Bob Clark]

I love the organic aesthetic, Bob. Is that long-leaf yellow pine like David Newton uses on some of his guitars?

Hi Patrick,

Thanks, I appreciate it.

I'm really don't know whether it's Long Leaf or not. The Floor Installer just called it Yellow Pine. It sure is pretty wood though. It is so resinous that the resin melts and bubbles when it is heated for bending. And it had the annoying habit of straightening back out almost to completely straight until I figured out how to deal with it. I was ready to be done with it after this one piccolo until I had the completed instrument, then I re-thought it. I like this one enough that I might have another go with some more scrap pieces if I can get some. I might have to hunt around for them though. Probably go back to cherry for the next one (other than the maple one that I am finishing up now).

[wildpikr]

Nice looking instrument...what are the string gauges?

[Bob Clark]

Nice looking instrument...what are the string gauges?

Hi Mike,

I am using EJ73 on these, which are 10, 14, 24, 38. I tried EJ62 but found the 34 a bit too light. Thanks for asking.

Bob