International Violin Mandolin Kit

[Mandolinian]

Hello all,

I've always loved woodworking of any kind, albeit never having actually done much of any, and mandolin is my #1 favorite thing in the world. I've been playing for the vast majority of my life, but I've never built any, and I really want to try. I don't really have any tools other than the standard stuff everyone has, but I'm basically looking for a relatively simple mandolin kit to build my first mandolin. I don't have too many financial resources, so I looked around and picked the cheapest one that might be relatively decent quality: the International Violin A-style mandolin kit. Has anyone built one before, or does anyone have advice? Before I order it I want to make sure it's realistic. What tools might I need? Basically, can you give me any more information than the sparse description on the website did?

Thanks so much for your help,
--Sam

[bennyb]

If you run 'international violin' in the search window on the builders forum page, you'll get lots of results . I built a couple of them around 2005 or 2006, they were well worth the money. I had lots of woodworking experience(but none at lutherie) and lots of tools. I still have and play both of them. As far as starting with no experience, it seems like a pretty big jump, but some have done it, and posted their results here.

Good luck, benny

[Mandolinian]

Thanks so much for your help!

[MikeEdgerton]

The International Violin A style mandolin kit is the Saga AM-10 mandolin kit.

[Mandolinian]

That's interesting. Why the $100 price difference then?

[sounds_good]

That's interesting. Why the $100 price difference then?

Maybe Saga Music is giving dealers the opportunity to sell at a discount from MSRP.

[MikeEdgerton]

That's interesting. Why the $100 price difference then?

The MSRP is 249.00. What Ken sells for is his business.

Others may have it even cheaper. Then there's the issue of supply.