2006-11-15 Thorough, enjoyable, and informative

I bought this book because for many years I have been toying with the idea of building my own mandolin, and wanted to move from planning into action.

As well as being a step-by-step construction guide, this book is an illuminating and entertaining read in its own right - there is a detailed section on the physics of musical instrument construction, and an explanation of why the iconic design presented here (The Gibson Lloyd Loar F5) is the way it is.

Mr Siminoff clearly 'knows his onions' - he holds several musically-related patents and has been employed by Gibson as a technical advisor. His instructions are clear, and his enthusiasm and positive approach infectious. I read the book from cover to cover as soon as I received it, and was so inpsired I immediately set to work!

The author is based in the USA, and therefore some 'translation' is necessary for a UK audience (for example he refers to USA adhesive brands, some of which are not common here). However I have asked him a couple of clarification questions through his website and found him to be very helpful and forthcoming. I recommend you visit his website for the erratum update to page 71, and an additional tip on the peghead scroll stengthener.

I was initially a little disappointed that a book at this price should come as a 'comb bound' volume, but I soon saw the value of this 'packaging' when I wanted to remove some of the (numerous and very clear) drawings for photocopying, and to supplement the book with extra information I have gathered from the Web.

I am still at the stage of making the many and various tools and fixtures needed, so I have not yet started work on the instrument itself, but I will update this review at a later date in the light of the experience I have gained.

All in all, highly recommended!