Mandolin.org.uk
Mark Mawby
Small Strings
Beautiful traditional and contemporary stringed instruments hand-crafted in the Scottish Borders
Mark Mawby made his first instrument - a fiddle - over 20 years ago. Since then, he's made all the types of small stringed instruments that he personally plays.
Recently he has concentrated his making on mandolins and fiddles for the discerning folk musician - though they're equally good for classical and jazz players. He also regularly makes bouzoukis, mandolas and citterns.
Flat-back mandolin
His flat-back mandolins are made from a choice of carefully selected walnut or sycamore (rosewood also available) for the back and sides, spruce top and FSC-certified mahogany/native sycamore re-inforced neck.
Ebony fingerboard and bridge, the whole finished with a handsome craftsman-made tailpiece (when available) or 'fixed' bridge.
Carved-top mandolin
A true marriage of lutherie techniques, these instruments take the classic lines of the Gibson A5 as a starting point. Gouges and thumb planes are used to form the top, whilst a thin resonant arch of rosewood or maple forms the back.
Alternatively, the back can be book-matched maple wedges, carefully carved. Oval soundhole or our version of the 'F' hole, Schaller machines and a tailpiece made by one of America's great craftsmen (when available) these are bespoke instruments for serious musicians. Prices from £1200
Source: http://www.smallstrings.co.uk/
May, 2011