Flat Top Mandolin

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Kim Strode
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Location: Daylesford Victoria, Australia

Flat Top Mandolin

Post by Kim Strode » Sun Jul 12, 2015 1:48 pm

This project has been on the bench for about a year and has been a delight to create. I have started two more, both on the bench at the moment. The design and plans were from Graham McDonald’s book. Extra thanks go to Graham who advised on pick-up placement, and Bob Connor who was my mentor extraordinaire throughout the build.

The back and sides are fiddle back Blackwood, the top Sitka Spruce, the neck Queensland Maple with a Blackwood centre stripe and the bridge Brazilian Rosewood. The bridge was inspired by Red Henry’s Bridge designs. It is fitted with a mandolin truss rod, K&K twin spot mandolin pick-up, and Golden Age Restoration tuners and tailpiece.

It is strung up with Elixir 80/20 Bronze NANOWEB® light weight coated strings, and is finished with multiple coats of Tru-Oil and a wax finish.

I am delighted with the sweet and balanced music it produces. Sound clip to follow.

kimmandolin.wav
Attachments
Mandolin - Blackwood - Sitka Spruce 9.jpg
Mandolin - Blackwood - Sitka Spruce 8.jpg
Mandolin - Blackwood - Sitka Spruce 7.jpg
Mandolin - Blackwood - Sitka Spruce 6.jpg
Mandolin - Blackwood - Sitka Spruce 5.jpg
Mandolin - Blackwood - Sitka Spruce 4.jpg
Mandolin - Blackwood - Sitka Spruce 3.jpg
Mandolin - Blackwood - Sitka Spruce 2.jpg
Mandolin - Blackwood - Sitka Spruce 1.jpg
Kim Strode
Daylesford, Australia

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68matts
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Re: Flat Top Mandolin

Post by 68matts » Sun Jul 12, 2015 4:00 pm

Beautiful Kim, a lot to be proud of. That's some stunning Blackwood.
Matt

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Allen
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Re: Flat Top Mandolin

Post by Allen » Sun Jul 12, 2015 4:35 pm

That's some spectacular wood in that one Kim. I'm in love with that Bear Claw soundboard.
Allen R. McFarlen
https://www.brguitars.com
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ozziebluesman
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Re: Flat Top Mandolin

Post by ozziebluesman » Sun Jul 12, 2015 5:05 pm

Absolutely wonderful looking Mandolin Kim.
You beat me to build mine after all.
Congratulations be very proud.
Cheers
Alan
"Play to express, not to impress"

Alan Hamley

http://www.hamleyfineguitars.com/

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Kim Strode
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Re: Flat Top Mandolin

Post by Kim Strode » Sun Jul 12, 2015 5:38 pm

Good to hear from you Alan, I've been contemplating a visit to see you for some time, maybe I can watch as you finish yours.
Kim Strode
Daylesford, Australia

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ozwood
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Re: Flat Top Mandolin

Post by ozwood » Sun Jul 12, 2015 6:57 pm

Very nice indeed , gotta be happy with that. :cl :cl :cl :cl :cl :cl :cl

cheers,
Paul .

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kiwigeo
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Re: Flat Top Mandolin

Post by kiwigeo » Sun Jul 12, 2015 9:05 pm

Nice work Kim.....really nice work.
Martin

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ozziebluesman
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Re: Flat Top Mandolin

Post by ozziebluesman » Sun Jul 12, 2015 9:43 pm

Your welcome for a visit here anytime Kim.
I have a four builds on the bench ready for the finish process.
Three of them I have been working on for the past three years.
Also no snow up here Kim as its 12 to 25 degrees. Our two weeks of winter :)
Cheers
Alan
"Play to express, not to impress"

Alan Hamley

http://www.hamleyfineguitars.com/

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Nick
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Re: Flat Top Mandolin

Post by Nick » Mon Jul 13, 2015 5:48 am

homer.jpeg
My two favourite timbers come together in one instrument. Absolutely beautiful Kim, I know nothing of Mandolins but that doesn't stop me appreciating them. :cl :cl :cl :cl :cl :cl :cl
"Jesus Loves You."
Nice to hear in church but not in a Mexican prison.

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soulman
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Re: Flat Top Mandolin

Post by soulman » Mon Jul 13, 2015 5:57 am

What a ripper. Really nice.
I have some left over blackwood like that from Curly.
I think you just inspired me to have a crack at one of these.

Ross

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peter.coombe
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Re: Flat Top Mandolin

Post by peter.coombe » Mon Jul 13, 2015 8:05 am

Nicely done.

Peter
Peter Coombe - mandolin, mandola and guitar maker
http://www.petercoombe.com

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dotbot
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Re: Flat Top Mandolin

Post by dotbot » Mon Jul 13, 2015 10:38 am

Hi Kim

Beautiful! :cl A Drooling Homer for me, too.

I'm just about start on the same project; picked up the book from Graham last weekend. If I do half as well as you have, I'll be delighted.

Thanks so much for the inspiration.

Cheers,
Aaron

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RobDyball
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Re: Flat Top Mandolin

Post by RobDyball » Mon Jul 13, 2015 11:19 am

Beautiful!

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kiwigeo
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Re: Flat Top Mandolin

Post by kiwigeo » Mon Jul 13, 2015 12:16 pm

peter.coombe wrote:Nicely done.

Peter
Positive words from the master.....Kim, ya cant do better than that!!
Martin

Kamusur
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Re: Flat Top Mandolin

Post by Kamusur » Mon Jul 13, 2015 6:45 pm

Just looking at it Kim makes you want to pick it up and play. Very well done indeed.

Steve

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charangohabsburg
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Re: Flat Top Mandolin

Post by charangohabsburg » Mon Jul 13, 2015 7:21 pm

What a beauty!
Craftsmanship fits the wood you used. :cl
Markus

To be stupid is like to be dead. Oneself will not be aware of it.
It's only the others who suffer.

Woodsy23
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Re: Flat Top Mandolin

Post by Woodsy23 » Tue Jul 14, 2015 12:38 pm

Fantastic looking instrument. It's inspired me to have a go at a mandolin.
Richard

lauburu
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Re: Flat Top Mandolin

Post by lauburu » Wed Jul 15, 2015 8:25 am

Stunning looking instrument. Great work
Miguel

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Kim Strode
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Location: Daylesford Victoria, Australia

Re: Flat Top Mandolin

Post by Kim Strode » Wed Jul 15, 2015 7:30 pm

Thank you to all for your kind remarks and words of encouragement.
Kim Strode
Daylesford, Australia

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charangohabsburg
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Re: Flat Top Mandolin

Post by charangohabsburg » Wed Jul 15, 2015 8:15 pm

Now that's a real gem! It even would be one if you had used some plain, non-figured wood, it is so nicely crafted! :cl
Markus

To be stupid is like to be dead. Oneself will not be aware of it.
It's only the others who suffer.

Wayde Christie

Re: Flat Top Mandolin

Post by Wayde Christie » Thu Jul 16, 2015 9:15 pm

Gorgeous work. Gonna have to try me one of those :)

Mick101
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Re: Flat Top Mandolin

Post by Mick101 » Tue Jul 25, 2023 1:00 pm

Hi Kim. I’m also in the process of making my second mandolin based on Graham McDonald’s book. The first one very similar to yours but mine has a few minor errors. However the reason for the email is to source the placement for the twin spot K and K pickups that I wish to fit. Any help would be grateful. Cheers Mick Watts.

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kiwigeo
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Re: Flat Top Mandolin

Post by kiwigeo » Tue Jul 25, 2023 6:47 pm

Mick, you're responding to a post from 2015. I'm not sure if Kim is still active on the forum. The last time I heard from Kim he was having a few health issues.

Ill send him an email and hopefully he'll respond to your post.

Note Graham McDonald is on this forum..maybe flick him a message.

Welcome to the forum.

Mick101 wrote:
Tue Jul 25, 2023 1:00 pm
Hi Kim. I’m also in the process of making my second mandolin based on Graham McDonald’s book. The first one very similar to yours but mine has a few minor errors. However the reason for the email is to source the placement for the twin spot K and K pickups that I wish to fit. Any help would be grateful. Cheers Mick Watts.
Martin

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