Bowl back mandolin

Talk about musical instrument construction, setup and repair.

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PeterDoc
Gidgee
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Nov 25, 2023 11:39 am

Bowl back mandolin

Post by PeterDoc » Sun Nov 26, 2023 3:32 pm

Hello all. My first post here. I have set myself a moderately ambitious project for a first build. A Cremonese mandolin. Sort of like a miniature lute.
(Or a glorified ukulele). I have drawn up some plans and I'm currently knocking up the mould for the body. I have salvaged myself a fairly nice piece of spruce (?) From an old zither for the top and chosen huon pine for the ribs.
My question: Is there anything wrong with steam bending the ribs to shape before fitting them to the body mould? I.e. heating the individual strakes in a steambox and clamping them into a mould.
I have noticed that tutorials online use a bending iron to shape the strakes as they fit them to the body mould. So, is there a problem with the steambox technique that would preclude me from using it?
I imagine that I'll have lots of issues along the way. I know that I'm getting somewhat ahead of myself but that's the way that this old blokes head works.
Sorry about the verbose prose style. It's getting worse as I 'mature '.
Thanks in anticipation and Good on you all.
Peter

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