Australian mandolin quartet by Graham McDonald. $15,000.
Here's a rare stateside appearance by a matched set of mandolin-family
instruments built in 2022 by Graham McDonald of Canberra, Australia. If you search the
Mandolin Cafe Forum you'll find threads by Graham concerning these
instruments, including a sound clip. Graham writes:
"A long-held desire has been to build a quartet of two mandolins, a mandola and a mandocello from matched timbers and I have been able to to find some Tasmanian King Billy pine for the soundboards and Australian blackwood for the backs and sides to make such a quartet.
The designs for the quartet have been inspired by the Lyon and Healy Style A mandolin orchestra instruments from the late 19-teens.
The King Billy and blackwood for the mandolins and mandola are from the same tree. The timber for the mandocello is as close in colour and density as possible. The necks are from Queensland maple, reinforced with carbonfiber bars for the two mandolins and two-way adjustable truss rods on the mandola and ‘cello. Fingerboards are ebony, slotted to 13.875 in./35.4 cm scale for the mandolins, 16.5 in./42 cm scale for the mandolin and 25.5 in./65 cm scale for the mandocello. Head overlays are blackwood and Gidget. Binding is ivoroid, tuners are Gotoh and Allen tailpieces. Finish is satin nitro lacquer."
Few Americans get the opportunity to play a McDonald mandolin, let alone own one. But here is a chance to own four of them: Graham prefers that they be sold as a set. (Of course I'll ship them anywhere, even back to Australia!) The tuners on the mandocello have been replaced since the photos were taken. The instruments are strung with phosphor bronze strings and are in perfect condition. Hardshell cases included. See more photos, call 425/772-0231, or for more information. 48-hour approval offered. $15,000 plus shipping.
"A long-held desire has been to build a quartet of two mandolins, a mandola and a mandocello from matched timbers and I have been able to to find some Tasmanian King Billy pine for the soundboards and Australian blackwood for the backs and sides to make such a quartet.
The designs for the quartet have been inspired by the Lyon and Healy Style A mandolin orchestra instruments from the late 19-teens.
The King Billy and blackwood for the mandolins and mandola are from the same tree. The timber for the mandocello is as close in colour and density as possible. The necks are from Queensland maple, reinforced with carbonfiber bars for the two mandolins and two-way adjustable truss rods on the mandola and ‘cello. Fingerboards are ebony, slotted to 13.875 in./35.4 cm scale for the mandolins, 16.5 in./42 cm scale for the mandolin and 25.5 in./65 cm scale for the mandocello. Head overlays are blackwood and Gidget. Binding is ivoroid, tuners are Gotoh and Allen tailpieces. Finish is satin nitro lacquer."
Few Americans get the opportunity to play a McDonald mandolin, let alone own one. But here is a chance to own four of them: Graham prefers that they be sold as a set. (Of course I'll ship them anywhere, even back to Australia!) The tuners on the mandocello have been replaced since the photos were taken. The instruments are strung with phosphor bronze strings and are in perfect condition. Hardshell cases included. See more photos, call 425/772-0231, or for more information. 48-hour approval offered. $15,000 plus shipping.