Mandolin Wood

 
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Sitka Spruce, Engelmann Spruce, Red Spruce, Flamed Maple, Quilted Maple, Ebony, East Indian Rosewood, Basswood
Mandolin Tonewood Kits, Mandolin Lutherie Books, DVDs & Plans, Mandolin Making Tools
 
 

Sitka Spruce

Harvested in British Columbia, Sitka Spruce. Standard on most production guitars now, and for good reason.  This top wood offers a punchy direct sound although it tends to have low overtone content. Many bluegrass players prefer Sitka Spruce for this reason. The color of Sitka ranges from white to creamy to very light brown. It should be noted that some regions of Western Canada produce a very white Sitka Spruce in which discoloring is rare. We target this whiter Sitka Spruce in response to customers desiring a brighter, purer white soundboard similar to Engelmann Spruce and European Spruce. Spruce Grading

Part & Dimensions

Item #

 Sitka Spruce

Length x Width x Thickness, Metric Converter

 Grade Price
Arch Top, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 1"+ SSAMM Master $55/set
Arch Top, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 1"+ SSAM3A 3A $50/set
Arch Top, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 1"+ SSAM2A 2A $35/set
Arch Top, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 1"+ SSAM1A 1A $20/set
Flat Top, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 3/16" SSFMM Master $25/set
Flat Top, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 3/16" SSFM3A 3A $20/set
Flat Top, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 3/16" SSFM2A 2A $12/set
Flat Top, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 3/16" SSFM1A 1A $8/set
Tone Bars, 12" x 3/4" x 3/4"+, enough for 2 SSTB Master $5
Bracewood, 20" x 2" x 1" (price / board foot) SSBR Master $10
Unkerfed Kerfing Strips, 16" x 1/2” x 1/2”, 4 pc. SSMKS Master $15
End & Corner Block, 3" x 3" x 2" SSECB Master $10
 
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Engelmann Spruce

The primary choice for finger picking guitars.  Engelmann is also becoming very popular with Guitar Builders. With is High overtone content and strong fundamental tone Engelmann Spruce delivers a warm mellow tone that is well suited for light-medium strumming and finger picking. Spruce Grading

Part & Dimensions

Item #

 Engelmann Spruce

Length x Width x Thickness, Metric Converter

 Grade Price
Arch Top, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 1"+ ESAMM Master $55/set
Arch Top, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 1"+ ESAM3A 3A $50/set
Arch Top, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 1"+ ESAM2A 2A $35/set
Arch Top, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 1"+ ESAM1A 1A $20/set
Flat Top, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 3/16" ESFMM Master $25/set
Flat Top, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 3/16" ESFM3A 3A $20/set
Flat Top, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 3/16" ESFM2A 2A $12/set
Flat Top, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 3/16" ESFM1A 1A $8/set
Tone Bars, 12" x 3/4" x 3/4"+, enough for 2 ESTB Master $5
Bracewood, 20" x 2" x 1" (price / board foot) ESBR Master $10
Unkerfed Kerfing Strips, 16" x 1/2” x 1/2”, 4 pc. ESMKS Master $15
End & Corner Block, 3" x 3" x 2" ESECB Master $10
 
 

Red Spruce (Adirondack Spruce)

Our Red Spruce tops are sawn from hand split billets, naturally seasoned to a moisture content of 6% and are ready to use. Our tops are extremely stiff and have excellent tap tone. Red Spruce grows in eastern Canada and the eastern United States. The strongest and stiffest of all the spruce species. Spruce Grading
Red Spruce has a very high velocity of sound, and has the highest stiffness across and along the grain of all the top woods. Like Sitka, it has strong fundamentals, but it also exhibits a more complex overtone content. Tops made out of Red spruce have the highest volume ceiling of any species, yet they also have a rich fullness of tone that retains clarity at all dynamic levels.

Part & Dimensions

Item #

 Red Spruce

Length x Width x Thickness, Metric Converter

 Grade Price
Archtop, 2 pc./wedges, each half: 16" x 6" x 7/8"+ LSAMM Master $90/set
Archtop, 2 pc./wedges, each half: 16" x 6" x 7/8"+ LSAM3A 3A $80/set
Archtop, 2 pc./wedges, each half: 16" x 6" x 7/8"+ LSAM2A 2A $60/set
Archtop, 2 pc./wedges, each half: 16" x 6" x 7/8"+ LSAM1A 1A $40/set
Flat Top, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 3/16" LSFMM Master $40/set
Flat Top, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 3/16" LSFM3A 3A $30/set
Flat Top, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 3/16" LSFM2A 2A $20/set
Flat Top, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 3/16" LSFM1A 1A $12/set
Tone Bars, 12" x 3/4" x 3/4"+, enough for 2 LSTB Master $10
Bracewood, 16" x 2" x 1" (price / board foot, BF) LSBR Master $15/BF
 
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Flamed Maple, Aged for 8 years, Maple Grading (Sets include back & sides)

Part & Dimensions

Item #

 Flamed Maple

Length x Width x Thickness, Metric Converter

 Grade Price
Arch Back, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 1"+
Sides, 2 pc./set, each half: 28" x 2.5" x 3/16"/ incl.sides.
FMAMBSM Master $70/set
Arch Back, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 1"+
Sides, 2 pc./set, each half: 28" x 2.5" x 3/16"/ incl.sides.
FMAMBS3A 3A $60/set
Arch Back, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 1"+
Sides, 2 pc./set, each half: 28" x 2.5" x 3/16"/ incl.sides.
FMAMBS2A 2A $40/set
Arch Back, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 1"+
Sides, 2 pc./set, each half: 28" x 2.5" x 3/16"/ incl.sides.
FMAMBS1A 1A $30/set
Flat Back, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 3/16"
Sides, 2 pc./set, each half: 24" x 2.5" x 3/16"/ incl.sides.
FMFMBSM Master $40/set
Flat Back, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 3/16"
Sides, 2 pc./set, each half: 24" x 2.5" x 3/16"/ incl.sides.
FMFMBS3A 3A $30/set
Flat Back, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 3/16"
Sides, 2 pc./set, each half: 24" x 2.5" x 3/16"/ incl.sides.
FMFMBS2A 2A $20/set
Flat Back, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 3/16"
Sides, 2 pc./set, each half: 24" x 2.5" x 3/16"/ incl.sides.
FMFMBS1A 1A $15/set
Mandolin Neck 18" x 3.25" x 2", with ears FMMNM2 Master $50
Mandolin Neck 18" x 3.25" x 2", with ears FMMN3A2 3A $40
Mandolin Neck 18" x 3.25" x 2", with ears FMMN2A2 2A $30
Mandolin Neck 18" x 3.25" x 2", with ears FMMN1A2 1A $20
Large Neck 22" x 4" x 2" FMMNM1 Master $60
Large Neck 22" x 4" x 2" FMMN3A1 3A $45
Large Neck 22" x 4" x 2" FMMN2A1 2A $35
Large Neck 22" x 4" x 2" FMMN1A1 1A $25
Fingerboard Blank, 18" x 2.5" x 1/4" FMMFBM Master $12
Fingerboard Blank, 18" x 2.5" x 1/4" FMMFB3A 3A $10
Fingerboard Blank, 18" x 2.5" x 1/4" FMMFB2A 2A $7
Fingerboard Blank, 18" x 2.5" x 1/4" FMMFB1A 1A $5
Peghead Blank, 6" x 4.5" x 1" FMHPM Master $12
Peghead Blank, 6" x 4.5" x 1" FMHP3A 3A $10
Peghead Blank, 6" x 4.5" x 1" FMHP2A 2A $6
Peghead Blank, 6" x 4.5" x 1" FMHP1A 1A $4
Peghead Overlay Veneer, 6" x 4.25" x 3/16" FMPHVM Master $6
Peghead Overlay Veneer, 6" x 4.25" x 3/16" FMPHV3A 3A $5
Peghead Overlay Veneer, 6" x 4.25" x 3/16" FMPHV2A 2A $4
Peghead Overlay Veneer, 6" x 4.25" x 3/16" FMPHV1A 1A $2
Tailpiece Blank, 6" x 3" x 1/2" FMTPM Master $10
Tailpiece Blank, 6" x 3" x 1/2" FMTPM 3A $8
Tailpiece Blank, 6" x 3" x 1/2" FMTPM 2A $6
Tailpiece Blank, 6" x 3" x 1/2" FMTPM 1A $4
Pickguard Blank, 6" x 4" x 3/16" FMPGM Master $6
Pickguard Blank, 6" x 4" x 3/16" FMPGM 3A $5
Pickguard Blank, 6" x 4" x 3/16" FMPGM 2A $4
Pickguard Blank, 6" x 4" x 3/16" FMPGM 1A $2
Flamed Maple Bindings Strips, 28" x 1/2" x 3/8", 2 pc./set FMPSM Master $14
Flamed Maple Bindings Strips, 28" x 1/2" x 3/8", 2 pc./set FMPS3A 3A $12
Flamed Maple Bindings Strips, 28" x 1/2" x 3/8", 2 pc./set FMPS2A 2A $10
Flamed Maple Bindings Strips, 28" x 1/2" x 3/8", 2 pc./set FMPS1A 1A $8
 
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Quilted Maple Maple Grading (Sets include back & sides)

Part & Dimensions

Item #

 Quilted Maple

Length x Width x Thickness, Metric Converter

 Grade Price
Arch Back, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 1"+
Sides, 2 pc./set, each half: 28" x 2.5" x 3/16"/ incl.sides.
QMAMBSM Master $120/set
Arch Back, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 1"+
Sides, 2 pc./set, each half: 28" x 2.5" x 3/16"/ incl.sides.
QMAMBS3A 3A $100/set
Arch Back, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 1"+
Sides, 2 pc./set, each half: 28" x 2.5" x 3/16"/ incl.sides.
QMAMBS2A 2A $80/set
Flat Back, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 3/16"
Sides, 2 pc./set, each half: 24" x 2.5" x 3/16"/ incl.sides.
QMFMBSM Master $70/set
Flat Back, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 3/16"
Sides, 2 pc./set, each half: 24" x 2.5" x 3/16"/ incl.sides.
QMFMBS3A 3A $60/set
Flat Back, 2 pc./set, each half: 16" x 6" x 3/16"
Sides, 2 pc./set, each half: 24" x 2.5" x 3/16"/ incl.sides.
QMFMBS2A 2A $40/set
Large Neck 22" x 4" x 2" QMMNM1 Master $90
Large Neck 22" x 4" x 2" QMMN3A1 3A $80
Large Neck 22" x 4" x 2" QMMN2A1 2A $50
Mandolin Neck 18" x 3.25" x 2", with ears QMMNM2 Master $70
Mandolin Neck 18" x 3.25" x 2", with ears QMMN3A2 3A $60
Mandolin Neck 18" x 3.25" x 2", with ears QMMN2A2 2A $40
Fingerboard Blank, 18" x 2.5" x 1/4" QMMFBM Master $20
Fingerboard Blank, 18" x 2.5" x 1/4" QMMFB3A 3A $15
Fingerboard Blank, 18" x 2.5" x 1/4" QMMFB2A 2A $10
Peghead Blank, 6" x 4.5" x 1" QMHPM Master $17
Peghead Blank, 6" x 4.5" x 1" QMHP3A 3A $15
Peghead Blank, 6" x 4.5" x 1" QMHP2A 2A $10
Peghead Overlay Veneer, 6" x 4.25" x 3/16" QMPHVM Master $10
Peghead Overlay Veneer, 6" x 4.25" x 3/16" QMPHV3A 3A $8
Peghead Overlay Veneer, 6" x 4.25" x 3/16" QMPHV2A 2A $6
Tailpiece Blank, 6" x 3" x 1/2" QMTPM Master $15
Tailpiece Blank, 6" x 3" x 1/2" QMTP3A 3A $13
Tailpiece Blank, 6" x 3" x 1/2" QMTP2A 2A $12
Pickguard Blank, 6" x 4" x 3/16" QMPGM Master $10
Pickguard Blank, 6" x 4" x 3/16" QMPG3A 3A $8
Pickguard Blank, 6" x 4" x 3/16" QMPG2A 2A $6
 
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Ebony & East Indian Rosewood

Ebony

EI Rosewood

Part & Dimensions

Item #

 EI Rosewood & Ebony

Length x Width x Thickness, Metric Converter

 Grade Price
Rosewood Fingerboard Blank, 21" x 2.5" x 1/4" IRFBCM Master $15
Rosewood Bridge Blank, 9" x 1-3/8" x 9/16" IRBBM Master $10
Rosewood Peghead Veneer, 6" x 4.25" x 3/16" IRHVPM Master $10
Rosewood Bindings Strips, 28" x 1/4" x 3/16", 2 pc./set IRPSMM Master $15
Ebony Fingerboard Blank, 21" x 2-3/4 - 2-5/8" x 1/4" EFBM Master $23
Ebony Bridge Blank: 8" x 2" x 9/16" EBBM Master $12
 
 

Part & Dimensions

Item #

 Basswood

Length x Width x Thickness, Metric Converter

 Grade Price
End & Corner Block, 3" x 3" x 2" BAECB Clear $10
Unshaped Kerfing Strips, 16" x 1/2” x 1/2”, 4 pc. BAMKS Clear $12
 
 

Mandolin Tonewood Kits

Below kits include:

  • 1x Spruce or Cedar Top
  • 1x Master Grade Tone Bar
  • 6x Master Grade Unshaped Kerfing Strips
  • 3x Spruce End & Corner Blocks
  • 1x Flamed Maple Back & Side Set
  • 1x Flamed Maple Neck with matching Ears
  • 1x Master Grade Peghead Veneer
  • 2x Master Grade Binding Strips
  • 1x Master Grade Fingerboard Blank
  • 1x Master Grade Bridge Blank
  • 1x Master Grade Tailpiece Blank
  • 1x Master Grade Pickguard Blank

Please Note: All parts excluding the top, back, sides and neck in all kit grades are Master Grade quality. For example, a 1A Grade Kit has all Master Grade parts except the top, back, sides and neck, the rest of the parts in a 1A Grade Kit are Master Grade.

Tonewood Parts come in the following species options: Engelmann, Sitka or Red Spruce, WR Cedar, Flamed Maple, Quilted Maple, Narra, Walnut, Cypress, Basswood, Rosewood, Ebony. Kits with different wood species combinations may vary in price.

Description

Item #

 Comes Standard with Engelmann or Sitka Spruce Top
Grade w/ Engelmann or Sitka Spruce w/ Red Spruce Top
Master Grade Archtop Mandolin Kits KAMBSM Master $220/kit $250/kit
3A Grade Archtop Mandolin Kits KAMBS3A 3A $200/kit $235/kit
2A Grade Archtop Mandolin Kits KAMBS2A 2A $170/kit $205/kit
1A Grade Archtop Mandolin Kits KAMBS1A 1A $150/kit $180/kit
Entry Level Archtop Mandolin Kits KAMBSB Entry $100/kit $140/kit
Master Grade Flat top Mandolin Kits KFMBSM Master $160/kit $180/kit
3A Grade Flat top Mandolin Kits KFMBS3A 3A $140/kit $170/kit
2A Grade Flat top Mandolin Kits KFMBS2A 2A $120/kit $150/kit
1A Grade Flat top Mandolin Kits KFMBS1A 1A $100/kit $130/kit
Entry Level Flat top Mandolin Kits KFMBSB Entry $70/kit $100/kit
 
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Mandolin Making Books, DVDs & Plans

Please note: One of the cheapest places to buy Lutherie books, instructional material and non-wood parts, some tools, and accessories for building instruments is Amazon. And on many occasions Amazon offers FREE shipping.  I have put together a list of links for all the lutherie related books below for mandolin.

The Luthier's Handbook: A guide to understanding the science and acoustics of stringed instrument structure, to help you make an instrument sound its best.

Trade Secrets Book Dan Erlewine has been sharing "trade-secrets" since 1990, we've put them all into two books for you.

Siminoff's Luthier Glossary NEW! An extensive dictionary of luthier terminology, plus useful reference specifications.

Art of Tap Tuning
Build great sound into your stringed instruments; Siminoff's book and DVD show you how.
Art of the Inlay - Design & Technique for Fine Woodworking - Second Edition.
Historical Lute Construction The late Robert Lundberg's masterpiece, the definitive work on the lute, celebrates the instrument's history in over 100 photos.
Complete Illustrated Guide to Wood Finishing This impressive book on techniques for coloring and finishing wood was written by finishing expert Jeff Jewitt.
Pearl Inlay Book
Instructions for grinding, sawing, routing and gluing abalone and mother-of-pearl, and much more.
Lutherie Making Hand and Power Tools (Hardcover)
 by Tim Olsen (Author)
 
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Tools

 
 
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