Elloree Mandolins

Elloree Mandolins The mandolin family is a big family, and I build most of it: mandolins, mandolas, octave mandolins,

As far as the setup went on the Loar mandolin that is in my shop, it didn't need much. If the top and fret board are in ...
05/01/2026

As far as the setup went on the Loar mandolin that is in my shop, it didn't need much. If the top and fret board are in the right place, the bridge will sit right at the points of the "F" type sound holes. This one was not that way. The bridge needed to be a bit forward of those points. Not a big deal. The strings were a little high, but the bridge is adjustable. That only took a minute. The owner is now ready to see if a mandolin is right with him. Thank you for following and peace.

I am told that a Loar mandolin is relatively affordable. The one in my shop is the first one I have seen in person. When...
05/01/2026

I am told that a Loar mandolin is relatively affordable. The one in my shop is the first one I have seen in person. When folks are first starting to play a mandolin, my practice has been to recommend the Rogue that Musician's Friend sells. It is very affordable and used to be built better than it now is. The Rogue has no adjustable truss rod. The Loar does. I have seen a very old Rogue and the neck had a terrible bow with no way to correct it. I don't know what the neck on the Loar is made of, but with an adjustable rod, the neck can be kept straight. The Rogue used to have two bracing in the top. They both ran from the head block to the tail block and were installed in such a way that the feet of the bridge sat on top of them. That is stable. Now, the Rogue only has one bracing and it is on the bass side of the bridge. The Lora has two bracing and in the correct places. The top will not sink in from the string tension. The top on the Loar is straight grain wood. That will always sound better than instrument plywood. The Rogue is all instrument plywood. That is not a bad thing if a person is trying to get started and they know the Rogue will not be their friend for life. There will always be someone to tell you they have a better mandolin. The Loar is good. I like it. Peace.

The owner of the Loar mandolin that is in my shop wants a volume control. Since I am always opposed to the idea of drill...
05/01/2026

The owner of the Loar mandolin that is in my shop wants a volume control. Since I am always opposed to the idea of drilling the top or sides of an instrument for controls, I build a volume and tone control that plugs into the jack in the tail block. This installation is complete. Let's get to the setup part for this instrument. Peace.

The pickup and tail block jack are installed in the Loar mandolin that is in my shop. The owner is not sure at this poin...
05/01/2026

The pickup and tail block jack are installed in the Loar mandolin that is in my shop. The owner is not sure at this point if he will like a mandolin or not. My aim was to give him what he has in mind with minimal changes to the mandolin. The only drilling I did was for the jack in the tail block. I have some REALLY super sticky tape. It is not easy to work with, but once in place, it will not let go. I used it to hold the pickup in place. Some might consider the wire running through the sound hole to be a deal breaker. The owner agreed to it and that is how it will be for now. He might decide on something different as he learns this instrument. One more post and the pickup installation details will be done. Peace.

You have seen the 2 posts describing what needs to be done to make the tail piece ready for the input jack in the Loar m...
05/01/2026

You have seen the 2 posts describing what needs to be done to make the tail piece ready for the input jack in the Loar mandolin I have in my shop. I have drilled the new holes for the jack. Next, I screw it back in place using the original screw holes. With the same 1/2" bit, I drilled out the wood. Now we are ready for the installation. Peace.

In the previous post, you saw how the tail piece needed to be altered to accept the input jack. The existing mount holes...
05/01/2026

In the previous post, you saw how the tail piece needed to be altered to accept the input jack. The existing mount holes in the tail piece will not match up with the holes in the jack, so new holes will need to be drilled. Next part of the process is on the way. Peace.

There is a Loar mandolin in my shop for a setup and an upgrade. The owner wants a pickup installed. We talked about the ...
05/01/2026

There is a Loar mandolin in my shop for a setup and an upgrade. The owner wants a pickup installed. We talked about the different options, and he decided on a coil type. There are input jacks available that are to be installed somewhere in the side. That is a sure way to split that thin wood. I always leave the sides alone and install in the tail block. To do this, I need to modify the tail piece. It had a strap button, but the hole needs to be 1/2" to accommodate the jack. To keep it still when I take that 1/2" bit to it, I have to screw it in place. I drilled it out to the right size and came back with a tapered reamer to clear off the burrs. It is a time-consuming job, but once done correctly, any other kind of pickup can be installed with ease. Peace.

Got a Loar mandolin in my shop for some upgrades and a set up. This is the first one I have actually seen in person, so ...
04/30/2026

Got a Loar mandolin in my shop for some upgrades and a set up. This is the first one I have actually seen in person, so I think I will make a review along with the work I do. Peace.

Severely packed and ready to hand off to the shipper on Monday. This is the most stressful part of my work. I do all the...
04/25/2026

Severely packed and ready to hand off to the shipper on Monday. This is the most stressful part of my work. I do all the work in my shop. After I have done my best and packed the instrument, I have to trust others. I don't trust them. What I reaIly like is for folks to walk into my shop and take delivery of whatever I have built for them. I have used all the shippers, and they all drop kick the packages they handle. So, until I hear that Mr. Toomey has this instrument in hand, I will worry and pray with equal enthusiasm. The day of rest is in front of us and I sho' 'nuf need it. Peace.

After a couple of places where I had to back up and start again, I completed final assembly on Mr. Toomey's octave mando...
04/25/2026

After a couple of places where I had to back up and start again, I completed final assembly on Mr. Toomey's octave mandolin. Today is Saturday and the big event of the day is to get this instrument packaged for shipping. All the shippers drop kick the packages they are carrying, so it is my job to pack it well enough to survive the trip. Let me get to that job now. Peace.

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810 Tidwell Road
West Monroe, LA
71292

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

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+13183882635

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