The Army-Navy, AN for short, is one of the classic designs from old days. It probably doesn't get enough attention because it is a flattop. There are some good ones still being built, but most are flattops. The exception is a carved top by M. David Mandolins of Berkley.
I love the style and sound of the AN and have built a few over the years. So, I decided to give a carved top a go. I will try to document the build as it moved along over the next few weeks.
The original AN was about 1 1/2 inches deep, but I decided to go a little deeper. The body will be rosewood, and the top will be red spruce. A maple neck will round out the wood choices.
First: The top is squared up on a flat piece of marble countertop material with 50 grit sandpaper.
Next the top is glued up with bar clamps.
The side pieces are bent on a hot pipe and set in the form. Glue linings and end bocks are glued in.
The two halves of the back are joined.
The back is braced with the braced arched to an 8 foot radius.
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