2020s Bonham Design 5-String Tricone Resonator Mandocello

I'm not exactly sure what this instrument was originally intended to be, but it has a guitar-style scale length and was fit as a 5-course, single-string-per-course instrument. It's likely it was meant to be tuned CGDAE from low to high. The owner brought it in to get a proper setup and adjustments done and to have it modified into a 4-course instrument with a doubled high string.

He's used to playing out of tenor guitar (CGDA) tuning so a mandocello tuning with a doubled top course was just the ticket. I really wish we'd had time to do a video of this because it turned into one of those "perfectly reasonable instruments" when done -- with the sound and fullness and slightly "chorus-y" shimmer of a mandocello but with the clarity of guitar's single courses on the low end and easier playability.

I've enjoyed the Bonham Design instruments that have made their way into our shop recently. They're all curious, fun, and exciting builds with all sorts of endearing design features. The "Kay Kraft"-style body shape on this looks killer with the tricone coverplate setup and the offset board inlay (like on old Gretsches and German instruments) is a great look, too. The minimalist aluminum hardware completes the effect and it's built to a good spec while not being overboard.