<groan> it's a commission

[Herman]

Developments in the matter , Dave?

[Dave Bagwill]

Developments in the matter , Dave?

Thanks for asking, H! Things took a strange turn - a very strange turn - an unexpected turn - a, well you get the idea.
The person I will be building for - I visited his home - is a multi-instrumentalist, very talented guy. He does some busking in Tucson and Phoenix but is getting his old band together. Anyhow, I talked with him about the 12 string and it turns out he is really just looking for something different. Long story short, I'm building an Irish Bouzouki.
I have some experience with that body style, having worked with it a number of years ago - I have the bending forms.
If you google Irish Bouzouki on youtube, you will see quite a range of performances, from strumming accompaniment to all kinds of solo work. I'm really into building this.
These would make great KITS!!! The side bending is a snap with those gentle curves, the m&t neck joint works well, the construction methods are much the same. Just sayin' :-)
A few examples of the Irish bouzouki, the octave mandolin. Also good listening is the mandocello on youtube.

[Dave Bagwill]

I'll be building one with a fixed bridge, btw.
But not a double top!

Here is a simple pictorial of the process
http://www.dunwellguitar.com/BuildBouzo ... dZouk1.htm

[John Link]

Looks like you are in for quite an adventure Dave.

[Herman]

Pfuu. There you got away from that 12 string nightmare. You master distractor.
Herman

[Dave Bagwill]

Oh yeah - the 12 string is not in consideration - 8 is enough.