Gladstone Mandolin “Ringed Budgeroo 002”
An ‘A’ style Mandolin with a scale length of 352mm and 12 Frets to the Body. This Mandolin
S/N - Mando-RBUD-002 2026 was built by hand using the materials and methods listed below.
This instrument is a combination of Flat Top and Carved Mandolin design. The soundboard top is carved, but the underside is flat. Neck angle is set higher than a flat top instrument.
Back and Sides - Ringed Budgeroo (Lysicarpus angustifolious)
The genus of Lysicarpus described in 1858, has only one member, and it’s endemic to Queensland, Australia. “Ringed” refers to fiddleback type grain structure and is quite rare within the species. The trees with ringed grain are always small but are always visually stunning.
Back Bracing System - Live Bracing Design
This system increases the backs interaction with the soundboard during playing, resulting in a fuller more complex sound. The Bracing has been made to fit a 20ft Radius, which increases the stiffness and structural integrity.
Soundboard - Torrefied Adirondack Spruce (Picea rubens)
Adirondack or Red spruce is considered by many to be The Holy Grail of Soundboards. With too many desirable qualities to list here. This set has been Torrefied, which means it’s undergone a roasting/drying process at high temperature in an oxygen depleted kiln. This chemically and structurally changes the wood, improving its mass to stiffness and making it far less susceptible to dimensional changes due to changes in relative humidity. Two things that make it much more desirable for instruments.
Soundboard Bracing System –Carbon Fibre Reinforced ‘H’ Bracing
The soundboard bracing system has been made to fit into and was assembled in a 20ft radius dish, which increases its stiffness and structural integrity. The rectangular cross section Adirondack Spruce Bracing is installed over a layer of Carbon Fibre. The Bracing tops are then profiled/carved/tuned to give the desired stiffness gradient across the soundboard, but still maintaining the rectangular cross section. A second layer of carbon fibre is then installed down the middle of each brace, this effectively turns each brace into an ‘I’ Beam, greatly increasing its strength and rigidity. The braces are then carved into a triangular cross section, which decreases their mass but not their strength. This radiused, CF reinforced symmetrical bracing system is of low mass and is incredibly stiff.
Headstock, Bindings and Fretboard - Red Bauhina (Lysiphyllum carronii)
Native to Queensland subtropical and tropical regions. Multi-trunked, growing to 10 m, evergreen but can be briefly deciduous in very dry conditions. Prefers a sunny, well-drained position in moisture-retentive soils. A good shade and fodder tree for stock. The timber in cross-section is pale around the outer with a dark centre, used in wood turning and cabinetry.
Tuners - Gotoh Baby 510 series in Gold with Ziricote Buttons
The smallest closed gear tuners, made to order in Japan and are of exceptional high quality and recognized as such around the world.
Adjustable Floating Bridge a “Brekke Bridge”
An Ebony Floating Bridge with a height adjustable saddle. The height can be set using the supplied 1.5mm Allen Key.
Neck - Queensland Maple (Flindersia brayleyana)
Perhaps Australian’s Best Tonewood. Highly sought after by Australian Luthiers. Heartwood ranges from yellow to golden or reddish brown, darkening with age. Narrow white sapwood is differentiated from heartwood. The grain is interlocked and sometimes wavy. Texture medium to coarse with a good natural luster.
Rosette & Headstock Celtic Knot – Paua Shell
This rosette and Headstock inlay are made of NZ Paua Shell, ethically sourced from New Zealand
Nut–Northern Territory Buffalo Horn (Syncerus caffer)
The Nut has been slotted to suit the as fitted Strings. While the Nut is a firm fit into the slot, a small amount of CA glue has been put under it to hold it in place while changing strings.
Tail Piece– Hand Made Brass
The 1.2mm Brass tail Piece is designed to accommodate either Loop or Ball End Strings. It’s been polished and coated with pre-catalyzed lacquer.
Strings – D’Addario Stainless Steel EFW74
Medium gauge flat wound stainless steel mandolin strings. Flat wound mandolin strings deliver a smooth feel and full tone preferred by classical, jazz, and bluegrass mandolin players.
Pick-up System – This instrument does not have a pickup,
However, it is pickup ready, having an output jack compensation block fitted in the lowerbout
Finish - High Gloss Nitro Cellulous Lacquer
A hardwearing lacquer that is chemical resistant and easily repaired. Approximately 20 coats of Lacquer are applied over a 10-day period, after a week curing time, the lacquer is hand levelled using wet/dry sandpaper, micromesh pads and finally buffed to a mirror finish.
An ‘A’ style Mandolin with a scale length of 352mm and 12 Frets to the Body. This Mandolin
S/N - Mando-RBUD-002 2026 was built by hand using the materials and methods listed below.
This instrument is a combination of Flat Top and Carved Mandolin design. The soundboard top is carved, but the underside is flat. Neck angle is set higher than a flat top instrument.
Back and Sides - Ringed Budgeroo (Lysicarpus angustifolious)
The genus of Lysicarpus described in 1858, has only one member, and it’s endemic to Queensland, Australia. “Ringed” refers to fiddleback type grain structure and is quite rare within the species. The trees with ringed grain are always small but are always visually stunning.
Back Bracing System - Live Bracing Design
This system increases the backs interaction with the soundboard during playing, resulting in a fuller more complex sound. The Bracing has been made to fit a 20ft Radius, which increases the stiffness and structural integrity.
Soundboard - Torrefied Adirondack Spruce (Picea rubens)
Adirondack or Red spruce is considered by many to be The Holy Grail of Soundboards. With too many desirable qualities to list here. This set has been Torrefied, which means it’s undergone a roasting/drying process at high temperature in an oxygen depleted kiln. This chemically and structurally changes the wood, improving its mass to stiffness and making it far less susceptible to dimensional changes due to changes in relative humidity. Two things that make it much more desirable for instruments.
Soundboard Bracing System –Carbon Fibre Reinforced ‘H’ Bracing
The soundboard bracing system has been made to fit into and was assembled in a 20ft radius dish, which increases its stiffness and structural integrity. The rectangular cross section Adirondack Spruce Bracing is installed over a layer of Carbon Fibre. The Bracing tops are then profiled/carved/tuned to give the desired stiffness gradient across the soundboard, but still maintaining the rectangular cross section. A second layer of carbon fibre is then installed down the middle of each brace, this effectively turns each brace into an ‘I’ Beam, greatly increasing its strength and rigidity. The braces are then carved into a triangular cross section, which decreases their mass but not their strength. This radiused, CF reinforced symmetrical bracing system is of low mass and is incredibly stiff.
Headstock, Bindings and Fretboard - Red Bauhina (Lysiphyllum carronii)
Native to Queensland subtropical and tropical regions. Multi-trunked, growing to 10 m, evergreen but can be briefly deciduous in very dry conditions. Prefers a sunny, well-drained position in moisture-retentive soils. A good shade and fodder tree for stock. The timber in cross-section is pale around the outer with a dark centre, used in wood turning and cabinetry.
Tuners - Gotoh Baby 510 series in Gold with Ziricote Buttons
The smallest closed gear tuners, made to order in Japan and are of exceptional high quality and recognized as such around the world.
Adjustable Floating Bridge a “Brekke Bridge”
An Ebony Floating Bridge with a height adjustable saddle. The height can be set using the supplied 1.5mm Allen Key.
Neck - Queensland Maple (Flindersia brayleyana)
Perhaps Australian’s Best Tonewood. Highly sought after by Australian Luthiers. Heartwood ranges from yellow to golden or reddish brown, darkening with age. Narrow white sapwood is differentiated from heartwood. The grain is interlocked and sometimes wavy. Texture medium to coarse with a good natural luster.
Rosette & Headstock Celtic Knot – Paua Shell
This rosette and Headstock inlay are made of NZ Paua Shell, ethically sourced from New Zealand
Nut–Northern Territory Buffalo Horn (Syncerus caffer)
The Nut has been slotted to suit the as fitted Strings. While the Nut is a firm fit into the slot, a small amount of CA glue has been put under it to hold it in place while changing strings.
Tail Piece– Hand Made Brass
The 1.2mm Brass tail Piece is designed to accommodate either Loop or Ball End Strings. It’s been polished and coated with pre-catalyzed lacquer.
Strings – D’Addario Stainless Steel EFW74
Medium gauge flat wound stainless steel mandolin strings. Flat wound mandolin strings deliver a smooth feel and full tone preferred by classical, jazz, and bluegrass mandolin players.
Pick-up System – This instrument does not have a pickup,
However, it is pickup ready, having an output jack compensation block fitted in the lowerbout
Finish - High Gloss Nitro Cellulous Lacquer
A hardwearing lacquer that is chemical resistant and easily repaired. Approximately 20 coats of Lacquer are applied over a 10-day period, after a week curing time, the lacquer is hand levelled using wet/dry sandpaper, micromesh pads and finally buffed to a mirror finish.