Willer Custom Instruments

This instrument is also part of the sonic sitka project. One aspect of the project that has appealled to many participants is building an instrument for themselves that allows them to explore possibilities. The mandocello is has been a chance to build something out of the ordinary.

The bear claw is well book-matched and the cocobolo binding provides a strong contrast.

The headstock follows the same shape and styling as the mandola and mandolin.

The bass response is deep and commanding. Mandocellos are tuned starting with the C below a low E of a guitar. The bass strings are huge at .075 inch diameter.

The following is a family of mandolins. The big sister mondocello is shown with her smaller matching sisters.

Here are the mando sisters by themselves.

Sonic Sitka Mandocello Specifications:
• Top: Bear Claw figured Sitka Spruce (Sonic Sitka Project)
• Back and sides: Curly Maple
• Neck: Two Piece Curly Maple
• Purfling: BWBW Purfling with Cocobolo Binding
• Fingerboard: Gabon Ebony 12″ radius with Cocobolo Binding
• Bridge: Gabon Ebony
• Nut Width: 1 5/8″
• String Spacing: 2″
• Scale: 24 3/4″
• Body Length: 20″
• Lower Bout: 15 1/2″
• Upper Bout: 11 1/4 with Venetian Cutaway

The Grand Concert maple guitar was built to complement the Red Spruce and maple mandolin and mandola.

These maple bound bodies will become cremora stained intruments with clean maple binding. 

The backs are carved and ready, but I will wait until the necks are complete before complete assembly.

This F (Florentine) style mandolin is constructed of slip matched curly maple and red spruce bound in Ivroid with MOP inlay in the ebony headstock. The 12 inch radiused fingerboard and bridge are also made of ebony.

This sweet “A”(artist) style mandolin is constructed of slip matched curly maple and red spruce bound in ebony with MOP inlay in the ebony headstock. The 12 inch radius fingerboard and bridge are also made of ebony.