DIY Mandolin Kits: Worth it? Best one?

[belbein]

Stever: I was thinking about one of those Siminoff mandola kits to follow up my Saga AM-10 (if I ever finish). Do you think it would have been easier if you'd built something else first, or is it just a difficult build?

[Steve Roberts]

Stever: I was thinking about one of those Siminoff mandola kits to follow up my Saga AM-10 (if I ever finish). Do you think it would have been easier if you'd built something else first, or is it just a difficult build?

I don't think that it's a difficult build, but cutting the binding channels took me forever, as did trying to tap tune the tone bars. And I spent a lot of time cutting and engraving the inlays which of course was my own damned fault. I say go for it!

[macjansson]

Anyone have any experience of the IV f-mandolin kit? I'm working my way up to a Siminoff kit slowly.