Can anyone recommend a builder to me?

[Denny Gies]

Jeff D got it right. I have a Randy Wood F 5 and it is way above my skill level yet I wouldn't trade it for anything else.

[MandoMaximus]

Good place to start https://www.mandolincafe.com/archives/builders/f.html

[Charles E.]

This used Skip Kelley F-4 is at Mandomutt...

http://mandomutt.com/2013-skip-kelley-f-4/

Skip builds a great mandolin.

NFI

[Chris Marsh]

This used Skip Kelley F-4 is at Mandomutt...

http://mandomutt.com/2013-skip-kelley-f-4/

Skip builds a great mandolin.

NFI

Looks very nice, but has a flat fingerboard. Plus, a custom-build would allow me to get creative. For instance, does the back always have to be maple? My F2 has back and rim made of birch. Why did Gibson do that? Who knows. Mandolin sounds great, nevertheless. I'll bet rosewood or mahogany would also sound good. But what about black walnut or even sycamore? Might be fun to experiment.

[Charles E.]

Chris, gotcha. I used to own a black-faced teens Gibson F-2 many years ago and regret having to sell it to this day. Reading your post immediately made me picture a black-faced F-2 with Brazilian Rosewood back and sides. Sexy!

I believe Gibson used Birch back in the teens because it was so abundant around Kalamazoo at the time.

Good luck with your build when it happens!

[Rjayh]

There plenty of fine Australian builders who ship internationally - exchange rates being what they are, you could end up with a bargain, and some have a focus on our domestic tonewoods, which would give you something pretty rare in the States. Here is a couple of links, but there are plenty more if you search the forums:

https://www.nkforsterguitars.com/instruments/mandolin/
http://www.petercoombe.com/
https://www.mcdonaldstrings.com/