Art Deco mandolin by Graham McDonald. $3,550.
Here's a rare stateside appearance by a mandolin from Graham McDonald of Canberra, Australia. This lovely A-style instrument is the third in Graham's Art Deco series, inspired by a sketch by renowned American luthier Jimmy D'Aquisto published in
The Master's Bench by Paul Schmidt and Arian Sheets. If you search the
Mandolin Cafe Forum you'll find several threads by Graham concerning his Art Deco mandolins, including a sound clip.
Though he often uses native Australian timbers, Graham chose mostly American tonewoods for this project. The back and sides are elegant quilted bigleaf maple, and the top is Sitka spruce with a bit of bearclaw figure. Top and back are bound in tortoise celluloid. The headplate is very old burl walnut veneer, with adjustable bridge, gold Gotoh tuners, and an Allen tailpiece. It's stained in a warm honey sunburst under a satin nitro lacquer. The sides are bent in sections with small shaped blocks overlapping the joins.
Binding on the headstock and Indian rosewood fretboard is particularly striking, with a strip of white offsetting the tortoise. Side markers on the fretboard offer a pleasing Art Deco touch, while futuristic soundholes complete the aesthetic.
Although still a new instrument, it projects well and has an especially robust low end. I wouldn't use it for bluegrass (although there's even a bit of "bark" to it), but it would be a good choice for just about any other genre.
The overall impression here is so strong that one is tempted to overlook Graham's incredible attention to some rather subtle details. The longer you examine this mandolin the more impressed you'll be—and that's before you start playing it!
Few Americans get the opportunity to play a McDonald mandolin, let alone own one. But this one could be yours. (Of course I'll ship it anywhere, even back to Australia!) Basic hardshell case included (or Access Style I gig bag, if you prefer). See more photos, call 425/772-0231, or for more information. 48-hour approval offered. $3,550 plus shipping.
Though he often uses native Australian timbers, Graham chose mostly American tonewoods for this project. The back and sides are elegant quilted bigleaf maple, and the top is Sitka spruce with a bit of bearclaw figure. Top and back are bound in tortoise celluloid. The headplate is very old burl walnut veneer, with adjustable bridge, gold Gotoh tuners, and an Allen tailpiece. It's stained in a warm honey sunburst under a satin nitro lacquer. The sides are bent in sections with small shaped blocks overlapping the joins.
Binding on the headstock and Indian rosewood fretboard is particularly striking, with a strip of white offsetting the tortoise. Side markers on the fretboard offer a pleasing Art Deco touch, while futuristic soundholes complete the aesthetic.
Although still a new instrument, it projects well and has an especially robust low end. I wouldn't use it for bluegrass (although there's even a bit of "bark" to it), but it would be a good choice for just about any other genre.
The overall impression here is so strong that one is tempted to overlook Graham's incredible attention to some rather subtle details. The longer you examine this mandolin the more impressed you'll be—and that's before you start playing it!
Few Americans get the opportunity to play a McDonald mandolin, let alone own one. But this one could be yours. (Of course I'll ship it anywhere, even back to Australia!) Basic hardshell case included (or Access Style I gig bag, if you prefer). See more photos, call 425/772-0231, or for more information. 48-hour approval offered. $3,550 plus shipping.