The Mandolele
The Mandolele project was inspired
by Don Williams
who had the idea that the New England Luthiers should have a group Ukulele build.
Don also provided some fine Black Acacia for the project.
The Name "Mandolele" is more descriptive than accurate, as far as I know. Some of the references I could find are
usually "Uke Like" instruments, some with doubled strings and in some cases, the strings are steal and
not nylon. Although, recently, a Luthier from Hawaii, Bill Griffin, made a beutiful instrument he is calling a mandolele.
I might add that the idea to call this instrument a "Mandolele" was not mine. I think Don Williams
was the first and the N.E.Luthiers seemed to except this title so it just stuck. The biggest difference this instrument
has compared to what I have seen, is the shape. Although the shape is my own design, I must say I was
greatly inspired by the shapes of instruments in William Cumpiano's Shop
(the Puerto Rican Cuarto and the Tres).
Through the process of researching for this instrument, the design has changed many times which
delayed the building process but I think was worth the time spent. Starting with the intent to build a large
sized Uke changed to more like an octave Mandolin. I went with a double coarse of 4 strings and decided
on steal strings instead of the nylon
Although this Mandolele is technically a hybrid instrument, the building
techniques were mostly barrowed from those of a flat top guitar build. For me, the Mandolele build was a great learning
experience. One of the surprizes was the amount of volume a small scale instrument is cappable of.
I have built a few more since the first and have happened apon a few changes in building tecknieque
and design that seem to have made some improvements in tone and volume.
A pile of parts ready for assembly.
A close-up of the cherry burl I got from my Brother Clark.
I used some epoxy fill on the headstock to pop the grain figure.
The rosette around the sound hole also has some burl.
I glued the scoops directly on the top as you would the head and tail block.
