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ByShaun Newman with photographs bVAndrew McNinch

Why wouldyou want to makea only fit to play light or inferior music for€finger), then tortoiseshell and in studying them to envisagethe stcps ?Perhaps you haveread - but iust listen to Mvaldii mandolin now, ofcourse, plastic. In a time needed (and the correct sequenceif CaptainCorellit Mandolinby Louis concerto, or works by RaffaeleCalace ofvariation other forms emerged, frustrating pitfalls are to be avoided) de Berniires,or seenthe film? or Pi€tro D€nis, to discover how but it was not until the mandolin to bring the two'dimcnsional drawing Perhapsyou haveheard Vivaldii seriously both composers and players arrived in thc USA in the 1880s to three-dimensional life. I 6nd ConcertoFor Two (or take the instrument. Beethoven that the modifrcation to the llatback it valuable to trace from the plan ,ohn Williams'transcription for two wrote four works for mandolin and (attributed to Orville ofthe onto parchment, then draw around guitars)?Perhaps you areattracted piano and even played the mandolin now famous Gibson company) really th€ transparent templates with a by the ideaofa small,easily portable himself. It has e 6rm place in iazz, gained popularity. The instrument sharp pencil directly onto the wood, instrumentoflovely shape, or simply bluegrassand folk music, and can quickly became establishedand, ov€r following cenir€ lines or fret spacing by the challengeofmaking something even be heard in the opening riff time, €ntire mandolin orchestras a little dilierent?Perhaps... Well, of Rod Stewart!'Maggie Mayl The becam€ popular.. The rest, as they Next comes th€ sel€ction of why wouldyou not want to makea mandolin clearly has a wide appeal say,is history. timbers. The instruments illustrated mandolin?! to lov€rs ofmany styles ofmusic. It The modern mandolin is an A few misguidedpeople do not take is lovely to look at, has a fascinating extremely versatile instrument which the mandolinseriously, thinking it history, and making one offers all comes in three distinct forms: the ; .1 sorts ofopportunities. I could not traditional 'bowl backed; in which --trt resist the challenge for this article laminated strips are used to make the and have made two instruments in distinctive body resembling halfa a slightly different design and have Terry's Oran8e; the 'carved top;which started a third! is construct€d rather in the style of a violin; and the'flatbacK which is History the one I chose to make and which I Themandolin belongs to a wide describe in this article. familyofinstruments - the , the octavemandolin, the Construction andthe .The earliest The first step in making a mandolin wasderived from a sopranoform is to get hold ofa plan. lt can be here are made from rosewood and ofthe m€dievallute knownas the puzzling that plans often com€ with koa (sometim€s mixed) for th€ .The mandore was'bowl no instructions, some even with no backs and sides; spruce or cedar backed:had six pairsof strings m€asurements, being accurate full' for the tops; and cedar, mahogany andwas plucked with the fingers. scaledrawings. Tim€ must be spent or poplar for the hcad and neck. Towardsthe endofthe tSth c€ntury The are ofebony or a new form developed,principally birdt eye maple. lt is accept€d that in Naples- stillwith a bowlback, the mandolin can be made from a but with iust four pairsofstdngs variety oftimbers - from traditional madefrom gut, brass,steel or silk. hardwoods such as walnut, apple or One maker,Giovanni Fouchetti pear for the back and sides,to any (1724-1793),perhaps trying to get available resonant timber that will the bestofallworlds, usedbrass for not twist when reduced to around the lowerstrings, gut for the middle 2 mm ofthickness - allowing wide onesand silk for the trcbles.The scope to the imagination ofthe so-calledNeapolitan period saw the first useofa plectrum.originally a Once the timber has been selected goosequill wasused (sharpened to and stor€d in a dry place, it is time a point andsometimes tied to the to start work on a mould. Opinion is FEATURE

xt this strgc to c(^1f Nhcfc thr ( nds prelcr|ccl,lrholes c.rn bc cLrtto the ol thc t$r) sidesnrc(t.rt the txil.,\t lott rnd fight of thc (.ntre linc. I hnye this point, considrf.rtionshoukl bc ch.rseDr ft,und n)undholebcc.rusc gi\,.'rrto .rn,v.le(()fiti(r1that tnrt lhe chlnncl k) tnkc thc simplerosettc be usedto cnhanccthe.rppe.rrancc crn ensilvbe cut usingr liehtwci{rht oi th. instfurDent.lif e\.rmplc,thc routef $ itl\ .r tralnurrllingbasr trilbl(x l( inh\ crn bc ol lhc s.rnrc Ihc roscttcitsclf c.rn bo madel(,nr dcsignas thc brck contfc inhy, stfipsol puflling, bcnt .rf{'unclthc the hurdstoclicentf.piece ard the plrrllings.It crn nls,)bc choscrrin kccping$ ith the fosctte.lhc inl.r\ js trpped in $ ith i fubbef hcldcd hinrncf ,rndthc sidts rre thcr) repl.rccdrnto the nrould. thc $ hole thing upl 'ftc ho.rdstock (li\ided h!'r.( !onrc nrxlrfs \uggest (.rn then be slrxpcdto rdci .r little thxt .r ll.rtw()r I bolr.l is srlli(.icnt,bul i,rdividurlitv.Ihc hcclblocli is madc it |lceds.r ( onrplc\ setol . rnrs . 1)und b! l.rnrinatingpicccs cut li1,nrthe (hr oLrtlinc,,1lhe rnst11||rr(ntdrr\\n .'rrdol the ncck billet to .rchitve ,,nt,,the bourd lleel itiss.rlilrnd thc fcquircd dcpth.The srdcsafc ,,,( c felirbk r(, Drrlic| (hipborfd thcn gluedinto thc heelblock using ' ,,,o(rldconrprisingbasLb,,.rrclrnd r sinrplerebrt( .rn.lbutt ioinl. \i(lf\ lb .rll,\ lor the slightr isein (llrnrping this )oint is dilti(.ult,so it is hot iforr.rnd tapped jnt(' placeNith rh( lr(,r11)l(lr. rI.rnd(rrn,l hollo\ rr x fubber.hcrdedhrm,ricf rfter thc n df to r dfprh ol arour)di orn) i,r clrrn,rclhrs beenlined with Titcbond th. brse itscll..\ srn)ll r.b.rt{ nrustbc Iliphatic .rdhcsr\e. ()rrce the'I itLb(,od ( ur rrto thc urrdrfsideol th( mould h.rscurLd,lhe \lv)lc 1tlrntshould idgesto illo\\ l,,r the o\cfl.ppcd lr(nt to sit ilr t)lxcrwhilc thc sidcs nrc l\f.r.l.rnd nc( L ifc |ll;tdc li(rD rre glLrl'd.r\ cli,.rrccntrtlinc shoukl .t sirule piccc oftinrbcr ccdif ol be nr.ukedthf()ugh thc inside(n the nrrhog.rny nfe thc r)1()stpopul.rr nr,)ul.l,as this h.lps to ( nsLrfclhc choi.es. Ihc lreaclsl(trk is cfcrtcd nc.l. is hckl stfxightdur ing r frng(' (n b) ,r !(xrl joint cur rt ir)und l5 . Il x shrllo\\of xngle is usc.lthe strirgs

\1)fth investingsom€ tinrr in mrking .r iig with,rngl(i blockst(, hold thc $.holc.rsserrlbhg( in placcwhilc thc gluc cufes. Ihe lront ol th. nrrndolin shi)uld br cleanc(lup \ ith ll0 qfrt grfrret, bc nradelionr linclv graincdspfLrce rnd an\ jr peflectiorrsir) the roscttc of (oda! butt jointe.l.rtlhc ccntrein lilled $ ith l)rcrf gfccn supffsluc. a h(c ind *'cdlrciig. \bu kn,trvvou Ihis $ ill crrh.rncethc (olour rnd xrr !)lne\horc nrnf to tho ffquired rruke Ii)r r smooth suflrce \\'hen thi(kn€ss\hen rou crn scesunlighl rhl.(,oghthc sp,L,(a.Thc si,undholc Ihc sidcscolnc ncrt rnd .l|c cui nr.rl burr rt the t()t)r)rt, \thi1cil thc can bc mrde r'oundo| ovrl, or, if 1r(,nrb(!)Ln.rt.hcd tinlber,rcduced .'nglc t()ostcep il ..tn incrcxscthc 'r 10I nrn in rhk l.ncss.lhf pl.rn\!ill tcnsi()n,)n thc strincsrnd c,rrsethe Lndir.rtcihr (liI)cnsions,but it is lfont to bucl(leinsrfds. A vcDccfis iniP,)rt.rntl() cr)sufe.rtthis strge thnt norm.rllvphccd on thc uppcr la(c r)l lh,fdses ol lh. si(lesthirl (omc into the h!.rds(,'ck,helpirrg to streoqthen (()n(.r.1\\ rth thc lr('ltt .rrf plrncd the scrfl ir)intrncl olii r ing a fu(hcr truc lhc sid.s.l|c benl r)Dllrc hot opportunil) lor dc(or.rtion..\ iig ir)n,,nd h(ld in (hc moLrkl\'hilethc rrudc lronr tNo met.rlflrlers.rn.l l.rilblo.Lis nr.rlc (nofnr.rll\lrnD r pie.. (,1( hipbo.,rd (.rn bc uscd (d.rr, popl.rr,,, biss\1)(xl).lil\ays t{)cforte thc herdst(,(li \eneef; lrrrrn.rtcthe t,rrlblochlbnddcld rcoreorbcft{) covcr thc chipbo.tfd \trcr)!th.An inh\ c.rnbc iDtrodu(cd $.ith plf(cl t.rpeto.ryr)id gluing IFEATUREMAKING AFLAIBACK aqry.'^l the finish is applied. Once the front several contrasting woods may be contact at this point is essential, has been thickness€d to around 2 used, with decomtive inlays between otherwise the sound will be impaired. mm, the cross bracescan be 6tted them- The lace and wedgejig holds A nickel silver tailpiece is fitt€d to and then scalloped and gabled, both everything together while the glue the lower end ofthe mandolin,it for eleganceand for an even sound cures.lfjust two pieces of timber holds the €nds ofthe strings firmly in distribution- are used, the centreioin should be place and is also designed to prevent when the glue has 6rmly set, the strengthened with a cross banding of them buzzing against the body of the sidesand neck assemblycan b€ spruce; alternatively, if several pieces instrument. lt is possible to make one of these tailpieces,but considering the reasonableprice, this is an item worth buying. The machine heads come n€xt; they are fitted into holes drilled into the sawblade without fearoftaking the headstock. As there are eight strings, edgeoE anyofthe te€th.The slots getting the holes to line up exactly are cut using the spacingson the can be quite tricky, so a hardwood or plan(accuracy is essential,otherwise steel jig pre-cut to requirement helps tru€ tuningwill b€ impossible) a great deal. Many players will say whilethe sidesofthe that cheap machine heads are simply arestill parallel.Once they are cut, not worth the trouble, as constant th€ fingerboardcan be taperedand retuning is needed, I fully agree and fitted to the neck(glued in place recommend fitting a good set such are laminated, a sheet ofveneer such around5 mm belowthe loweredge as those made by Grover. They are as beech or walnut should be glued ofthe headstockveneer to allowfor not cheap but they look good and to the inside, with the grain running the bonenut) andthe fretstapped will keep the instrument in tune for at 90" to the laminations to ensure in. A word ofcaution here- do not long p€riods. To set the instrum€nt stability and to avoid splits later on. Once braced, the back willbe very strong and can be held in place over the linings with cam clamps. At last the mandolin can be tak€n from the mould and its three- dimensional form can be appreciated, The overlapping edges of both the back and front must now be removed; this is best done with a router and removedand the top placed into the Iaminate trimmer, Alternativel, mouldfac€ down. The sides and neck the €dges can b€ r€mov€d with a arethen reintroduced into the mould, file or chiselled away. lfchiselling, andthe neckis screwedinto place take great care, becauseany grooves from th€ und€rside.The screw holes accidentally cut in to the sideswill be be tempted to fit the frets to the will laler be invisible,as they will be very dimcult to remove later fingerboard before gluing it to the coveredby the fingerboard.Th€ top To seal the edgesand to protect neck; it might seem a good idea but ofthe instrumentis heldin placewith them from everyday wear and tear, youwillfind that as the frets are fitted kerfedlinings or with 'tentellones' bindings must be put into place. to the fingerboard unsupported by smalltriangles of spruceglued These are made from hardwood strips the neck, it will curve with the frets into placewith Titebond. Once the (eg ebony, maple, rosewood or box) outermost, each slighdy expanding tentellonesar€ secure, the kerfed and are around 5 mm wide and 2 the groov€ into which it has be€n liningscan be put into placeto hold mm thick. A channel must be routed tapped. When the fingerboard is the back.Clothes pegs can be used into the edges of the mandolin to in place, the slots can be cut to full up, a bonenut mustbe madeto accept th€ bindings, which are bent supportthe stringsat the headstock on the hot iron and held in place with endofthe fingerboard.This bone will a spring clamp at the heel and with typicallybe around5 mm wideand masking tape or strongelastic bands 5-7 mm deep.The stringslots must while the glue cures. Additional be roundedoffon the backedge to decoration (purflings) may be createa snug6t for the strings. introduced to the inside edges of the To 6nishthe mandolin,oil, varnish, bindings and can be made from the lacqueror Frenchpolish can be used. same material as the ros€tte, such as I find that for this typeofinstrument, thin strips ofblack and white maple. Rustin'sPlastic Coating produces a Before the nngerboard is fitted it reallydurable finish that bringsout should have the fret slots partially the colourand grain ofthe wood cut. This is best done with a good- beautifully.Rather than leaving for this operation,but smallspring quality dovetail saw with almost the instrumentwith the garish clampsbought in Poundlandalso do no set. Mandolin fret wire should depth and the frets fifted. They appearanceof a freshly madetoffee a verygoodiob. These linings are best be used (one coil will do several should then be dressedwith a apple,I would recommenda nnal left for 24 hours before the back is instruments - see the list ofsuppliers whetstone to ensur€ they are flat and rub-downwith rott€nstonepowd€r fitted,because they take a gooddeal at the end ofthe article), and before recrowned with fine wet and dry. This mixedwith linseedoil, This produces ofpressurewhile the backis heldin working on th€ real thing a few will ensure that the strings do not a magical,deep shine that givesthe prace, practice attempts should be made. buzz while playing. The next task is to instrumentan addedsophistication. Theback itself can be madefrom The most dimcult task is to get the make a small bridge, normally from lf6nishing oil is used,the lastcoat two bookmarkedpieces of rosewood, frets absolutely parallel, so I use a the same material as the nngerboard, shouldbe appliedwith 0000steel mapleor walnut,or anysuitable smallwooden try square that I have with a slight curve on its underside to wool or fin€wet anddry. hardwood.For a strikingappearance, made for the purpose. It guides the meet the subtle arch in the top. Good ShaunNewman

7B FEATURELll.lll ;i: '{ E,ri1,. \,ll",tlill l.rl

Theheadstock and heel layout in poplar

A completed mandolinin

5pruce.Also a completed19th centurycopy in andspruce