Bolt on VS Through Necks for Mandolins

[Tristan Chambers]

Hello mando-makers,

 

I'm consider making a bolt on neck but it seems to me that the tension of so many strings would put the box under a lot of stress. I'm wondering what your experiences have been either bolting on or going through. Are their advantages and disadvantages to either approach?

 

[Richard Sanabia]

Hello Tristan. I've made several CB mandos, and tried both types. I wound up using a bolt on neck with a pickup. After reinforcing the box to stand eight string tension, I didn't like the sound, and went the electric route. I did find the mando would be okay if only four strings were used. The final version was a bolt on, 8 strings, piezo pickup. Richard

[Mark Werner]

The mandola I use for my avatar has the full 8 strings and a bolt-on neck....It's two years old and no problems.
I used a very strong Cohiba box, however.