Construction
Mandolins seem to come in a wide range of wood. Various spruces
for the top. Usually maple but also mahogany and sycamore for the backs.
Body Wood
While lots of different woods have been used, mandolin bodies
less the top are usually made of maple. Maple is typically fairly hard wood,
adding brilliance to the sound.
Top Wood
Spruce is strong for its weight and vibrates easily, making it ideal
for the top.
Construction Types and Methods
Construction generally falls into the
traditional versus innovative.
The traditional methods are well known. Hand
carving all parts. Hand fitting the neck into the body via a dovetail joint. Use
of acoustically transparent hide glue. Brushed on finish leveled with
abrasives and compounds. Many mandolins are still made this way, or have
minimal innovations applied.
Innovative methods include computer controlled machining, sprayed on
finishes, and simplified neck joints. For example, a computer controlled
carver can get a mandolin plate very close to finished in short order. Necks
may be bolted on with a simple tenon & mortise.
