The Boston Ideal
The Boston Ideal is an A-style mandolin based on traditional design, but with flashy appointments found only on Gatcomb instruments. Unlike the bowl back "potato bug" mandolins of yesteryear, this one boasts a thinner body with tastefully carved top and back.
The body materials are decidedly tried-and true -- a spruce top, joined to a maple back and sides. The neck is lightly figured maple, capped with a rosewood fretboard. The body and neck feature cream colored binding (single ply on neck and body back, five play c/b/c/b/c on the face of the body).
The hardware consists of traditional tuners and a tailpiece.
The body materials are decidedly tried-and true -- a spruce top, joined to a maple back and sides. The neck is lightly figured maple, capped with a rosewood fretboard. The body and neck feature cream colored binding (single ply on neck and body back, five play c/b/c/b/c on the face of the body).
The hardware consists of traditional tuners and a tailpiece.
The otherwise classic design is adorned with some trademark Gatcomb features. The body is two tone -- Blackest Black sides and Golden Age Blue front and back -- finished in durable tinted enamel. The neck received the Blackest Black enamel treatment, offset by the zebra print headstock. The bridge itself is handcrafted, and consists of a birdseye maple Double Arch base with an oak cap. The tone from the bridge is noticeably bright and snappy.
And then there are the things you don't see. Hidden inside the Boston Ideal is our proprietary bracing system. And as the neck has no strengthening volute and we hate the idea of snapping your headstock off, there are lightweight Reinforcement Rails inside the neck at the headstock transition. The neck itself features no adjustable truss rod, but instead has a lightweight and foolproof stabilizing insert. A piezo pickup is installed inside the body, and the output jack is located where the strap button usually sits. Covertly hidden in the tailpiece is a small roller pot to adjust volume.
This was a one-off experimental model.
And then there are the things you don't see. Hidden inside the Boston Ideal is our proprietary bracing system. And as the neck has no strengthening volute and we hate the idea of snapping your headstock off, there are lightweight Reinforcement Rails inside the neck at the headstock transition. The neck itself features no adjustable truss rod, but instead has a lightweight and foolproof stabilizing insert. A piezo pickup is installed inside the body, and the output jack is located where the strap button usually sits. Covertly hidden in the tailpiece is a small roller pot to adjust volume.
This was a one-off experimental model.