Are you looking to advance your musical instrument building skills? Building your own mandolin from scratch will not only challenge and hone your skills but will elevate you to the next level of lutherie. Students will learn new skills and techniques in instrument building. From carving and tuning the spruce top and curly maple back, to making the curly maple neck with its tapered neck joinery, participants will experience the joy of creating a beautiful instrument that sings! Students will make an “A” style (teardrop) carved top/back mandolin with traditional “f” holes. The materials will be high quality mandolin materials, including a solid Adirondack spruce top with highly figured curly maple back, sides and neck. By the end of the week, students will have completed their own hand-crafted mandolin that is strung and fully playable. The application of a protective finish will need to be completed after the class ends. Since this is an advanced class, participants should be experienced in correctly using and sharpening hand tools, such as chisels and planes. Please note that this is a very physically demanding class that requires standing most of the time. There is very little that can be completed by sitting.