I really enjoyed making this new A model mandolin. The top is carved out of moon-harvested Swiss spruce, a wood that produces a lively and responsive tone with a round bass. Since carved top instruments are inherently punchy, I used an X-brace to warm up the sound even more. The back & sides of this mando are birdseye-figure African Blackwood, a rare and desirable tonewood widely considered to be the best substitute for Brazilian rosewood. Blackwood imparts a reverberant, haunting tone quality that works beautifully in conjunction with the carved top. Lush chords and lyrical melodies are the strengths of this instrument, perfect for the O'Carolan music that this client enjoys. This is the third time I have used this crazy peghead wood, which is book-matched endgrain from a block of rare black & white ebony. A lot of work for a peghead veneer but it's totally worth it.
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| Striking stuff, that black & white ebony. Waverly tuners, hand-cut logo |
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| Birdseye African Blackwood w/sapwood. One-piece black walnut neck harvested by Mez' Dad. |
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| X-braced for a warmer tone. |
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| The new A model mandolin, carved European spruce (moonwood) and African Blackwood back & sides. |
