A new Stromberg-Voisinet inspired mandolin

[Graham McDonald]

A post about a 1920s Stromberg-Voisinet mandolin a few weeks back reminded me that I had traced the body and head outline when I did a bit of work on one a few years ago. So here is perhaps the first Strongberg-Voisinet style mandolin built for the past 95 years or so. A canted Sitka soundboard, Australian Tulip Satinwood body, Queensland maple neck and an ebony fretboard. A 13" scale like the originals, though the neck is one fret longer, joining at the 11th fret rather than the 10th. It is such a cool shape. The body is quite small, a little less than 9.5" wide. It should be strung up later this week.

[bbcee]

Agreed about the body shape, Graham. I really enjoyed the one I briefly had, and yours will definitely play and sound even better (to say nothing about having to mess with those finicky original tuners!). Really nice wood choice. Was the decision to extend the neck join for playability?

[JEStanek]

That looks very clean and I bet it will sound great, too.

Jamie

[Graham McDonald]

Strung up the little Stromberg-Voisinet inspired mandolin yesterday. For those unfamiliar with these, the Stromberg-Voisinet company was the precursor to Kay and this design lived on for another 30 years as the slightly larger Kay mandolins. Fitted with some Gotoh tuners, an StewMac tailpiece that was in the drawer and some 10-34 J62 strings. The bridge is carved from a piece of ebony. A bright and cheery mandolin, I think.

[Sue Rieter]

That is one beautiful mandolin