Other Instruments
Occasionally I like to build other instruments where “electric versions” are limited. Not pictured on this page is an electric Cello which I built, and briefly worked, but essentially needs to be rebuilt to better manage its string tension. Other instruments on this page arose from the basic question, “Can I?” It’s fun to not “go by the book.”
Electric Solid Body Mandolin - 2020
Body: Mahogany w/Maple Top w/Tortoise Binding on Body & Neck
Neck: 3 Piece (Maple/Mahogany/Maple) Bolt-on comfort contoured with Maple Fretboard
Headcap: Walnut
Scale Length: 15” Scale. The strings, from anchor to tuning keys, are stretched the same length as on a standard mandolin - Only the scale length under the strings has been increased.
Electronics: Single P-bass pickup split into two separate pickups, Bridge & Neck. Volume, 3-way Selector, and Tone controls
Bridge: Floating Maple Bridge with an adjustable-height intonated bone saddle (potential for LR Baggs undersaddle pickup addition)
Nut: Bone
Tuning Keys: Deluxe
Tail Cover: Maple Strings are anchored directly to body for awesome sustain.
Maple and Purpleheart Octave Mandolin - 2015
Body: 2 piece sequence-matched solid flamed Maple
Neck: Maple
Fretboard, Bridge, Headcap, Backstrap, Knobs, Electronic Cover, String Block: Purpleheart
Pickup: Seymour Duncan Hot Stack (STK-S2)
Scale Length: 25.5 inches
Hardware: Golden Gate M-123 Tuners
Story: I liked the Maple & Purpleheart guitar I built so much, I was going to make another one of the same woods. While constructing the neck, I had completed inlaying the truss rod, and gluing on the fretboard. When it came to cutting the front profile of the neck, I like to use templates which I attach using a really strong double-sided tape. While routing the profile of the neck, the tape loosened causing the template to shift, and causing my router to eat into a significant portion of one side of the neck and fretboard. For a long time I considered it a total loss. After letting it simmer in my mind for a bit, I decided to trim down both sides of the neck (including the damage) and make a thinner neck. I made a smaller body to accommodate the thinner neck, and Voile!
Mini Carved Travel Bass - 2014
Body & Neck: Mahogany
Fretboard & Headcap: Rosewood
Floating Bridge, Back Cover, String Block, Cover Plates: Maple
Hardware: Gold Gotoh Tuners, Gold Stacked Volume/Tone
Pickup: Precision Bass Style
Nut & Bridge Top: Bone
Scale Length: 24.125 Inches, Strung through body
Story: So, this instrument was initially intended to be my first 6 string Lap Steel guitar. However, I cut the width of the neck too thin to accommodate 6 strings...but it fits 4 nicely! I also extended the string length across the back of the instrument to increase string tension. When this instrument is hanging behind my bench at the Fretted Frog, it gets more bites and interest than any of my conventional guitars and basses. This model was my prototype, but I have another one currently in production (which will be for sale!) because of it's popularity!
Mini Carved Travel Bass #2 - 2018
Neck-through-Body: Lamintated Sapele & Maple Neck with Walnut “Wings”
Fretboard, Headcap & Backstrap: Walnut
String Anchor Block & Pickup Ring: Hickory
Hardware: Black Gotoh Tuners, Gold Stacked Volume/Tone Concentric Pot
Pickup: Rail Style Humbucker
Nut: Bone
Bridge/Saddle: Hickory/Ebony
Scale Length: 24.125”
After success with it’s predecessor, I built another one of these guys! Made a few changes to the original design, but these travel basses work great!