Mandolin Top and Back Thickness

[Lukeu]

Hey all! I'm carving out my first mandolin and am not sure what thicknesses to shoot for on the top and back? Thanks!

[Fathand]

Flat top or archtop? F or A style?

If a Flat top, between .10 and .125"

Do a search for Mandolin top thickness images and these come up:

https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...oard-thickness

[Mandobart]

I've never built a mandolin, but being interested in luthiery I got Roger Siminoff's book a few years back, and another by Graham McDonald.

I would recommend either of these over the random advice you're likely to receive here.

Obviously so much will depend on your choice of woods, method of bracing, type of finish you intend to apply, etc.

[Fathand]

Originally Posted by Mandobart

I've never built a mandolin, but being interested in luthiery I got Roger Siminoff's book a few years back, and another by Graham McDonald.

I would recommend either of these over the random advice you're likely to receive here.

Obviously so much will depend on your choice of woods, method of bracing, type of finish you intend to apply, etc.

I have both those books, they are great and sometimes good price on amazon. Even if you don't follow the actual plans there is lots of good info to help do your own thing.

[Lukeu]

Originally Posted by Fathand

Flat top or archtop? F or A style?



If a Flat top, between .10 and .125"



Do a search for Mandolin top thickness images and these come up:



https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...oard-thickness

Archtop, A style

[peter.coombe]

Oval sound hole or F sound hole?

[Lukeu]

Im cutting in F holes

[Fathand]

Originally Posted by Lukeu

Im cutting in F holes

Stew Mac has an A-5 plan which shows top graduations.
Alternately, you could use the Siminoff book/plans and remove the scroll and points, providing you want a 15 fret to body neck.