Custom Mandolins and Requintos

I’ve talked to some folks who have been frightened away from learning the mandolin or the guitar.  They have either been overwhelmed by the cost or by the playability.  The mandolins and requintos I build are reasonably priced, made with simplicity in mind, and can be customized.

The mandolins are A model, or sometimes called tear drop style.  They are associated more with folk, blues, old time and Celtic music than with bluegrass, though they are a great starting mandolin for would be bluegrass folk.  They are solid top instruments, usually with spruce tops.  Sides and back vary, but necks are usually made of mahogany with an ebony center strip and ebony fingerboard.

The Requintos are small bodied guitars, close in size to old fashioned parlor guitars, built for nylon strings.  The nylon strings and smaller body size make these great for beginners (easier on the arms, hands and fingers), and for quieter moments.  They also project well and are frequently played in mariachi bands – acoustic music played in noisy places!

Take a look at some of the pictures in the gallery, and if you’re interested, contact me. Click on image to view larger photo.

 

Ed Cunliff, MandoAiki