Instrument details: Fried van Doorslaer - Arch top mandolin

Fried starts by planing the wedges that will become the front and back.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The halves are then glued with hide glue.

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The front is carved to shape, starting with the edges and overall thickness.

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The final shape is obtained using small planes and scrapers.

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The inside is then carved out.

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The shape of the inside of the front is transferred onto the braces for the initial fitting.

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Care must be taken that the weight of the cramps do not distort the front when gluing the braces.

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Fried now moves onto the neck and fits the truss rod, covered by a maple fillet.

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Bending the sides.

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Shaping the neck.

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The neck, front and sides are assembled.

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Fried checks his partially assembled mandolin.

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Routing for corner bindings.

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The trial stringing. Picture of the finished instrument to follow...

Photo added on 23/10/2014