Mandolins are offered in the traditional
standard F- or A-size. For the cittern and bouzouki I have designed two
shapes which differ a little in the upper-bout of the instrument, one
having an elegant shoulder, the second a bolder and more pronounced
appearence. Although the difference is small, it does give the instrument
another look. When designing I just couldn't decide which I would use, so
I went for both shapes.
Based on the cittern/bouzouki design, I have
also drawn a mandolin shape for an A-style instrument. It differs a little
bit from the traditional design. However, when you start thinking about
ordering a specific instrument, almost any size and shape are
possible.
On
mandolins the traditional 13 7/8" scale is standard. A shorter A-scale is
optional. Citterns are build with a 22 ¾" scale and have either 8 or 10
strings in pairs of two. Bouzoukis have a 25 11/32" or 24 27/32" scale (like
standard guitar scales) and have also either 8 or 10 strings in pairs of
two. Custom-scalelengths can also be used. The tuning of your instrument,
the gauge of the strings you will use and the feel of the string tension
have to be considered when choosing a scalelength. For
all these instruments I use a carved top/(slightly) arched back
-combination.
Carving the top gives extra punch and
dynamic range to the tone and better projection.
The
'flatback-construction' adds sweetness and overall warmth to the
sound.
The
carved top is not only choosen for its acoustic possibilities, but also
for its physical strength when dealing with the down-pressure of the
strings. F-style mandolins are build only with the
arched top/arched back-configuration. A-style mandolins are made with
either flat-back or arched back, according to your choice.
Neckwidth
and stringspacing can be made according to your own
specifications.
Neckprofile is handshaped according to your
preference.
The
mandolin tailpieces are based on traditional design. The tailpieces for
the cittern and bouzouki are custom-designed and handbuilt from solid
brass.
All mandolin, citterns and bouzoukis come with a double-action
trussrod, adjustable in both ways.
The instruments are equipped
with high quality tuners.