The Shippey “Axe” mandolin has a flat top and carved back and it is this combination that gives the “Axe” mandolin its unique tone.
Warm, full and slightly woody in the low register, bright and clear at the top end – It is highly responsive, but will also deliver when played forcefully.
The carved back is at the heart of this mandolin’s tone – hand carved from European Maple.
Beautiful, straight-grain cedar for the soundboard; Ebony binding front and back. Ebony is also used for the bridge and fingerboard.
Mini black Gotoh enclosed tuners come as standard and provide smooth, accurate tuning.
I make the tailpieces in my workshop from solid brass. It is a hinged design, finished with a dark patina and will accept both ball and loop end strings.
This model is played by Benji Kirkpatrick (Bellowhead, Faustus) and Ward Dhoore (Trio Dhoore, Snaarmaarwaar) and Robin Jones (The Trials of Cato)
Specification
Cedar top
European maple carved back
Ebony Fingerboard
Brazilian Mahogany neck
Polished Ebony bridge
Ebony head facing
Ebony binding front and back
Ebony and birch bound fingerboard
Ebony handmade truss rod cover
Satin lacquer finish
Shippey handmade rosette
Shippey tailpiece
Mini enclosed black Gotoh tuners
Bone nut and saddle
356 mm scale length
30 mm nut width
275 mm body width
12 ” radius fingerboard
Two way adjustable truss rod
Price
Axe mandolin …… £2200
(case extra)