Thomas Buchanan's folkmandolin
Workshop
Once
the properties of an instrument have been decided, working drawings are produced.
Following traditional methods timber for fronts are selected from split logs of spruce and cedar.
Splitting with an axe will force the timber apart
following the grain exactly along the entire length of the soundboard.
Back and ribs are sawn in
book matched pairs ready to join the rest of the cutting list for assembly.
The soundboard is inlayed with an attractive herring bone design inlay, this binds the grain together, preventing any future splitting problems around the sound hole.
The
fronts back & ribs, blocks and linings are then assembled . The
edges are then bound with a line purfling and a hardwood edge.
The necks are individually hand carved before being dovetailed into the
body.
A box section adjustable truss rod is then fitted before gluing on the fingerboard.
Once the scraping, rubbing and sanding is complete a high gloss lacquer is applied and then hand finished.