MIMF

Thanks Chris,
That's just the kind of feedback I'm looking for. I'm a hobby builder as well with 15 or so guitars and a couple of mandos under my belt. Do you use a dish for the back radius?

I recently repaired and started playing my grandfathers old Regal soprano uke that had been a wall hanger at my dads house for the last 20 years. It's been so much fun that it is obvious I need to build something a little higher quality. I picked up a used Martin S1 so I'd have something to look at ...

Thank you Michael. I knew there was no easy answer here, I just wanted a general idea of what's required structurally to keep the top from sinking. I'll feel a little better as I thump, flex and carve now.

I am building a mandolin using the Siminoff A5 plan. The tone bars are on the top (1/8" wide treble, 3/16 bass as per plan). Any suggestions on final height of the finish carved bars? Plans and book call for tuning with a strobe tuner and that's not going to happen. Top and bars are very nice E...