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I have an idea for a mando and it has some very tight radius points . Has anyone ever cut those from solid block instead of bending ? Is it as solid ? Obviously there are extra joints involved , does that detract from the sound ? Has anyone ever tried this or is this just a bad idea??

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I'm pretty curious about your concept, but I am CERTAINLY NOT an expert. Why don't you post a drawing of your concept, and then let the experts chime in? I would like to hear their answers as much as you would.

have you ever taken a little more than a blade width off of the end of a board. the thin piece would not be strong and snap with little force. If you cut the same thickness off the side of a board it takes much more force to break. what i am trying to say is you would end up with alot of end grain in some spots and it would split. I think

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It is better to try and fail, than never try at all

It would be weaker because the grain lines would be very short on the curves and the grain lines are a weak point in wood. Since the sides on acoustical instruments are so thin it would be very weak compared to bent sides. The Puerto Rican CUATRO is cut from solid block of wood but the sides are very thick compared to most acoustic instruments and the back is all part of the same block. It's basically hollowed out into the instruments shape.

I would love to , but every time i try and post pics here it tells me they are to big . and im no computer wizard

_________________
The Shallower the depth of the stream , The Louder the Babble !
The Taking Of Offense Is the Life Course Of The Stupid One !
Wanna Leave a Better Planet for our Kids? How about Working on BETTER KIDS for our Planet !
Forgiveness is the ability to accept an apology that you will probably NEVER GET
The truth will set you free , But FIRST, it will probably Piss you Off !
Creativity is allowing yourself to make Mistakes, Art is knowing which ones to Keep !
The Saddest thing anyone can do , is push a Loyal Person to the point that they Dont Care Anymore
Never met a STRONG person who had an EASY past !
http://wiksnwudwerks.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/groups/GatewayA ... rAssembly/

How tight? Most woods can be bent into pretty tight bends if you thin it enough and you get it nice and hot.

Part of the "scroll" on the F-style mandolin is a solid block. Not so much because it is such a tight bend, but because it is right next to the neck block and the side is terminated and glued to this extision of the neck block.

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

I've never built a Mando, but I've built Violins. The ribs of a Violin are made of several pieces, and several blocks. I don't see why this wouldn't work with a Mandolin.

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here is shape im playing with , not sure if im going to change it any . as you can see im not very much into doing the "normal stuff " looking at tail from bottom neck joint at top

_________________
The Shallower the depth of the stream , The Louder the Babble !
The Taking Of Offense Is the Life Course Of The Stupid One !
Wanna Leave a Better Planet for our Kids? How about Working on BETTER KIDS for our Planet !
Forgiveness is the ability to accept an apology that you will probably NEVER GET
The truth will set you free , But FIRST, it will probably Piss you Off !
Creativity is allowing yourself to make Mistakes, Art is knowing which ones to Keep !
The Saddest thing anyone can do , is push a Loyal Person to the point that they Dont Care Anymore
Never met a STRONG person who had an EASY past !
http://wiksnwudwerks.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/groups/GatewayA ... rAssembly/

Sure, I've done it many times on my own designs. Here's one where the inside of the top front point is part of the nose block with no rib, and the rear treble point has no rib in the tight radius, but is part of the block.

very nice , I may sharpen some of my radius points to make it a bit easier .

_________________
The Shallower the depth of the stream , The Louder the Babble !
The Taking Of Offense Is the Life Course Of The Stupid One !
Wanna Leave a Better Planet for our Kids? How about Working on BETTER KIDS for our Planet !
Forgiveness is the ability to accept an apology that you will probably NEVER GET
The truth will set you free , But FIRST, it will probably Piss you Off !
Creativity is allowing yourself to make Mistakes, Art is knowing which ones to Keep !
The Saddest thing anyone can do , is push a Loyal Person to the point that they Dont Care Anymore
Never met a STRONG person who had an EASY past !
http://wiksnwudwerks.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/groups/GatewayA ... rAssembly/

Cool shape Haans!

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http://www.PeakeGuitars.com

Wow. Beautiful instrument Haans.

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
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The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Would this not result in a terrible inefficiency with regards to wood use? Plus, it would seem to me (as others have mentioned) you would expose a lot of end grain.

With that said, I am still interested in what the experts have to say.

Mike

Thanks guys!
Here are the ribs for a couple of my mandolins...as you can see, the blocks are large, and while there is end grain, it ain't goin' no where.