KR Strings Mandolindo Custom Deluxe Mandolin – New

Kilin Reece is a well-known luthier and Hawaiian music historian based in Honolulu. After years of building and repairing a wide range of fretted instrument Kilin has designed the “Mandolindo,” a sort of cross between a mandolin and a steel-string ukulele. Thanks to an X-braced Engelmann spruce top these hybrids have excellent tone with plenty of volume, and the radiused fingerboard makes chords easy to finger.

For the mandolinist, these instruments offer a new voice without needing to go the effort of learning new instrument. For the uke player, a mandolindo offers extra volume and projection which is especially welcome when playing acoustically with louder instruments like the guitar. This example, the Deluxe model, has solid Indian rosewood back and sides, a nicely shaded sunburst top, and beautifully figured curly maple binding. All mandolindos have an ebony fingerboard and bridge with a fully compensated bone saddle.