Tortise w/Fine White

[Mandoborg]

I notice a great move towards the darker tortise binding with the fine white line on a few instruments that are popping up here lately. Jim Hilburn And Ben Wilcox have turned out some AMAZING looking instruments with this configuration. The question i have is, are you guys using a .020 b/w fine line inside your tortise and scraping right up to the black line to get that nice crisp white line ? Or are you just using a single fine white line and are just REALLY good at scraping ?! It doesn't seem like either instrument had any black at the edge of the binding to blend with the fine black line, so i'm wondering how that black line blends in with your color if that's what your using http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif I'm thinking if you go with a real heavy transparent cranberry color towards the edge, even if you see the black line slightly bleeding through before the stark white, it would still be a really nice touch.I hope this makes sense. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif


Jim Combra

[Jim Hilburn]

For me, since it was going to be a sunburst and because the tort. is .070", I just did the .020" white on the face to get the usual .090", but for the sidelines, I used the whi./blk because it goes through some of the lighter parts of the sunburst.
I guess I'm getting pretty good at scraping, although I usually have to do a little touch-up.

[ronlane3]

Jim, could you please post a picture of one of these examples?

[Jim Hilburn]

This was about the best thing I could come up with. This was after the first lacquer coats, hence the rough surface.
There's just a white line on the face bordered by the stained wood. But on the sides, there's a white/black. They don't look it in the photo, but the black is just as thick as the white.
I think it highlights things better where it crosses the light part of the sunburst.

[Dale Ludewig]

Lovely!

[Mandoborg]

Jim, thanks for getting back so quickly ! Boy that fine black line really does add that lil 'something' to the side of the instrument in the lighter areas ! It's those 'subtle' things that really make up the total package . That is some mighty fine (line)scrapping work as well, but I guess the up side is that you can see the white line through the transparent finish, but still , i'd scrape that fine line in a series of sessions as to ward off fatigue ! Excellent work, i'd expect no less from somebody that's spent time breathing the same air as Nugget! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Oh btw, More people have asked about the cool blue mandolin i use for my wallpaper here on this computer, i tell them it's some Dale guys, then quickly try to change the subjest to one of my instruments ! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif I think it's time i promote myself instead of others, but dang a great looking instrument is a great looking instrument !!

Thanks Guys !

Jim Combra

[Dale Ludewig]

Well, Mr. Combra- thanks. Don't worry, those folks that worry about the color of a mandolin have much to learn. For one thing it doesn't affect the tone! It usually only affects the opinions of people who are locked up into a historical thing, and don't realize that history is being changed around them all the time. They just want to look backwards. Not laterally, not forward. Too bad. I have complete respect for the past (generally). I wish more people would think more openly. Hey- look at Rigel. Lewis. Let's hope people "get it". It can sound incredible and still look different.

But- what Mr. Hilburn is doing is very cool. Any number of builders are doing wonderful things. I think everybody, builders and buyers, should celebrate.

Now then, please promote yourself so we know what you're doing!

[Mandoborg]

ok Dale, maybe just this once ! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Dale Ludewig]

Nice! Thanks for "sharing".

[ronlane3]

Thanks Jim, that is awesome. I like that tortise look and the black and white really just add to it so much. (Wheels are turning in my febble brain of all of the things I want in a custom mandolin, as soon as I can have it built).

[jmkatcher]

Nice hook scroll!

[jimbob]

I am the proud owner of Jim Hilburn/s # 34 ....the pictures don't really do it justice. Jim really pulled this specific binding treatment off ! He and I discussed it before the binding was done and he explained some of his concerns about using the tortoise binding. I know it took a lot of additional time and effort to make it work, but it is really nice. I like the departure from what you normally see. Thanks to Jim for a job well done. The BRW posted the other day looks great too !