Dudenbostel Video Series

[P Josey]

Who amongst us would like to see the Dude do a series of videos, or make the DIY series available for purchase. I for one would buy it. Anyone else?

Paul Josey

[crawdad]

Me!

[Darren]

I would.

[dasspunk]

You mean Jeff Lebowki builds mandolins?

[tope]

Sure, I'd like to hear more. Can someone out there record it?

[Drew L]

Count me in. I don't get that channel and I'm trying to figure out how I can see the series.

[Brookside]

I would buy it.

[bryan13]

Please count me in .

Bryan

[ShaneJ]

Me too!

[Joe Mendel]

Count me in.

[Brian T]

I would definitely want it. Not sure if it woill be carried on HGTV or not.

[Coy Wylie]

put me on the list

[Dedian]

Count me in http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[mandomood]

I'd be interested in a copy....

[Bluemando]

im in

[mandoJeremy]

I'll take one as long as it comes prepacked with a new (or used) Dudenbostel mandolin!

[John Soper]

I'd love a copy, cause we don't get DIY on our basic cable package... even without a Dude mandolin.

[Lynn Dudenbostel]

It's nice to see all the interest in purchasing DVD copies, but you need to let the network know. The video belongs to the DIY Network for some period of time (several years) before the producer they contracted even has the right to do anything else with it. Neither he nor I have the legal right to make DVD's of the series available for sale or for distribution otherwise. I've not seen DIY offer shows for sale like some other networks. I just don't think it's something they do. But I'm positive of one thing, in order to get them to at least consider it, they would need to know there is a market for at least several thousand copies. I kind of doubt that many people want to see my face! <G> Seriously though, you guys have me thinking..... maybe I NEED a new digital camcorder and some DVD authoring software.... hmmmm.... been wanting a new camcorder!

Dude

[John Zimm]

Mr. Dudenbostel,

If you were to make and market your own DVD on mandolin building I bet you would make quite a bit from it. Then the new camcorder and DVD software would be tax-deductable, and you'd have many happy aspiring builders. Sounds like a great idea to me. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

-John.

[Lynn Dudenbostel]

Thanks John.... I've already thought of that angle... I'm sold, now I need to sell my wife on it! I don't think that will be too hard. MAybe I can start working on that one of these days soon. I thought about doing a CD/DVD on building, kind of like Frank Ford's FRETS.COM CD, but I almost think the full video/DVD route would be better. I know I bought the Benedetto 5 tape series on guitar building a few years ago and it was very nice. Let's see, I could teach my boys (Andy, 11 and Matthew, 8) to run the camera.... could be interesting! <G>

Lynn

[John Zimm]

That could be a win-win-win situation. Another income-producing venture, family time with the boys, and happy mandolin/guitar builders. I think you may have something here. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

-John.

[samuel]

i know i would buy one!

[Jim Rowland]

Moi aussi! Love the Dude!

[Yonkle]

DITTO!

[John Zimm]

I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

-John.

[Jeff A]

The show started last night on the DIY network. First 4 shows the Dude builds a dreadnaught.Second 4 shows I think are the mando. Last 4 he builds a deck on Thile's house. I'm on the list for a deck, but I'm still 3 years away. :)Actually the first show was terrific. Went from cutting the trees to building and inlaying the top and back. A couple of the guys from Kentucky Thunder, without Skaggs, played some. I'm not a builder but was amazed by the Dude's skills.The detail in the shaping of the bracing was extremely complex I think the show is on many times during the week. Check the DIY website. Can't wait to see the mando shows. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Lynn Dudenbostel]

The musicians were Scott Vestal, banjo; Andy Leftwich, mandolin; Cody Kilby, guitar; Luke Bulla, fiddle; and Mark Fain, bass. The first 4 shows are guitar building, followed by three on mandolin building, and then a one hour special at some point on guitar, and a 30 minute show on dulcimer making from a builder in Berea, KY. Here's a link to the schedule...

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/shows_dhmm/0,2044,DIY_16997,00.html

[f5joe]

Lynn: As you know, I deserve a staring role in the future video series. I believe we can negotiate an acceptable contract.

I could star as "Bill Wannabe", future mando wizard.

[Lynn Dudenbostel]

Joe, I do have an opening for someone to sweep the floor at the end of the day.... also accepting applications for mowing my lawn and hauling the kids to karate/barn/school! <G> Shall I send you an application? I'll need references too!

Dude

[f5joe]

How's Spud and Doc for references?

[Lynn Dudenbostel]

Doc has already put the word out on you Joe.... no need to even apply. You know, he's Chief of my Engineering Dept. I run everything by him and sorry to say, you didn't make the cut. <G> (I'd add one of those cute little smiley/winking yellow guys, but I'm not that computer literate.)

Dude
(For those of you that don't know, F5Joe owns Dude F-5 #2.... and it's my duty to give him a rough time every chance I get! Don't tell him, but he's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, and a very good friend.)

[Mark Simcox]

DVD would be great. Count me in. We don't even get the programme at all in UK!!!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[tope]

I emailed DIY network and here's what they have to say about copying the series. Can I work something out with someone that is recording it? Please email me. Gary

From DIY:
Unfortunately, we do not have videos of our programs available for purchase. If you know anyone who has access to our network, they can videotape the programs for your own personal use:

Handmade MusicDHMM-105FRI4/30/200410:00 PM
Handmade MusicDHMM-105FRI4/30/20041:00 AM
Handmade MusicDHMM-105SAT 5/1/200410:00 PM
Handmade MusicDHMM-105SAT 5/1/20041:00 AM
Handmade MusicDHMM-105SUN5/2/20048:30 PM
Handmade MusicDHMM-105SUN5/2/200411:30 PM
Handmade MusicDHMM-106FRI5/7/200410:00 PM
Handmade MusicDHMM-106FRI5/7/20041:00 AM
Handmade MusicDHMM-106SAT 5/8/200410:00 PM
Handmade MusicDHMM-106SAT 5/8/20041:00 AM
Handmade MusicDHMM-106SUN5/9/20048:30 PM
Handmade MusicDHMM-106SUN5/9/200411:30 PM
Handmade MusicDHMM-107FRI5/14/200410:00 PM
Handmade MusicDHMM-107FRI5/14/20041:00 AM
Handmade MusicDHMM-107SAT 5/15/200410:00 PM
Handmade MusicDHMM-107SAT 5/15/20041:00 AM
Handmade MusicDHMM-107SUN5/16/20048:30 PM
Handmade MusicDHMM-107SUN5/16/200411:30 PM


All times are Eastern.

Sincerely, DIY

[John Soper]

Add me to the list of those who'd want a copy "for personal use"... THANKS

While my cable package picks up most ACC basketball games, we drop back to the real basic level during "off-season" & watch a lot less TV - so don't have access to DIY...

[krishna]

Lynn, Please tell me you got my phone #message last week concerning the Potasium-Dychromate! The only thing at the university here thats more dangerous is the radio active stuff.Did you read the K-dichromate post? # Kerry the Koncerned...

[DonaldE911]

I'm in for a the DVD's if you do some. #I like the DIY show so far but I'd like alot more detail than they are showing... My 7 yo son sat with me and watched every show (so far).. he even took notes if you can believe that.... #I had a hard time explaining why we couldn't go cut down the oak tree out back to make a guitar ... #afterall thats what the man on the show did...
#http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Lynn Dudenbostel]

Kerry, I didn't get your call, but rest assured, I'm not using the stuff anymore! On the few instruments where I used it, I always wore latex gloves, and worked with it (particularly the powder) in my spray booth with good positive ventilation. I think I'll go turn in what little I have at the city hazardous waste disposal site.

Thanks,
Lynn

[John Jesseph]

I am looking forward to seeing what my sister in law has taped for me!!

I also have my pot. dichromate triple wrapped and in a shoe box labled "hazardous chemicals" in the cab of my pickup waiting to go to the toxic waste depository....

[folms]

I'm with ya
folms http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Skip Kelley]

I would like to have it too! We dont get DIY here in North Carolina.

[Talon]

Please add me to any list made for receiving one. Would prefer DVD, but could borrow a VCR from someone. Thanks.

[krishna]

Lynn, thanks for responding. I was actually thinking about this (you) all week. Lynn, how is it possible to get the word out to the Luthiers about this stuff? And who in the world 1st published that it could even be possible to do this! It seems from my reading on the net ,that there must still be hundreds of Luthiers still useing it. Lynn, You must be a member of G.A.L. Could you write something about it ?And WHERE is your website? I can't find it anywere! Kerry

[Lynn Dudenbostel]

I learned about pot. dichr. from a furniture maker. He used it on cherry and mahogany to darken it. It's not a real common treatment, as I'm sure it's hard to aquire these days (thank goodness). As for a web site, I took mine down about a year ago, but have a new one in the works. It'll be a minimal site... just mainly to have a presence on the web.

Lynn

[Flowerpot]

Just saw episode #4 last night, where Lynn finished and strung up the guitar. It sounded, and looked, splendid indeed! The french polishing added a deep, rich lustre that was not lost on the camera! I'm keeping my episodes on TIVO and we are thinking about getting a DVD burner -- if we do, I'll let you all know so those unfortunate souls who don't receive DYI can see these.

Lynn, if you are still reading this thread, my wife wondered if guitar #50 was built as part of your normal build list, or whether it had a special destination. She was curious about who was the lucky recipient, if they didn't mind revealing that.

[Ed Ashley]

Please add me to the list of those wanting a DVD or VHS copy; the DIY network is totally unheard of around here.

[Lynn Dudenbostel]

#50 was built for an individual who has been patiently waiting on my list. Just happened to be #50. It's my policy not to disclose buyers names. Most of them prefer it to be this way.

Lynn

[Rob Powell]

Did anyone catch last night's show? It's the first in the mando series I think. I've got a reminder set to watch tonight!

[JeffS]

I saw it and was pretty amazed. It looked a lot more simple than the guitar project but that had a lot to do with the CNC router (and the magic of television). I got to thinking after watching it, has anyone made the back and sides out of a solid block of maple? I would think that would be possible with CNC and would look interesting.

[samuel]

Jeff... i remember a post on hear where that has actually been tried before... can anyone remember what post that was?

[Dedian]

sam and jeff, yeah there was a thread around here at one point (or a thread hijack, I don't remember) about that same idea. The general consensus was that it would be interesting (and possible) but that it 1. wouldn't offer any advantages, and 2. be a big waste of material. Don't remember which thread it was in though.

[timeoutlaw59]

Well i know i would spend my hard working money on the DVD or VHS or Cassett!! Hey thats right i said cassett, even the sounds of Lynn building a quality product would excite this guy.Besides i know that his assembly sounds would be more of a quality sound than me yelling Oh @&#%! in my woodshop as im forming sides with cracks!

[chirorehab]

I saw the show last night! Very good. Is that really Kentucky Thunder? Is Scott Vestal with them now?

Lynn, congratulations on your success!

Eric

[ethanopia]

yeah really cool show...

that CNC sure makes the rough work look easy!
but I bet building the manodlin top in CAD was not easy at all...

[Lynn Dudenbostel]

Fortunately, I didn't have to learn CAD. I have a digitizing probe and ran it on a top I carved myself. It collects X,Y,Z data points and then you can create a program to duplicate the probed part. So, in effect, I am just duplicating something I carved, only instead of using a pantograph type machine like a Marlin, I'm using a CNC machine. Bottom line is there is no difference, except I don't have to sit there and run the machine while it spits sawdust in my face!

Lynn

[Gail Hester]

Samuel is this the thread you were referring to "Mann........is this a good idea?" on the one piece back, sides and neck.

[Mark in Nevada City]

Gail, check here. (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=7;t=13604;hl=best+and+back) #Then again, maybe not. #Good luck.

cheers, mmm

[ethanopia]

Wool cool a digitizing probe, that makes a lot more sense. Building those compound curves in a 3D modeling program would be painstaking.

thanks

[owsleystanley]

I'd love a copy of the tapes as well. Hello all, just a newbie tryin to find info. I'd love to acquire as much video footage as possible. If anyone can help me out with video sources please shoot me a message, email is m3lieven@wmich.edu.

[Rob Powell]

Well, I try to watch each one of these every time they are shown....so..a video series sounds like a great idea to me.

Lynn, you should really consider taking the DIY footage, re-editing and releasing it with additional footage and overdubs.

We would all appreciate the opportunity to benefit from your expertise.

I'd pay more for that than a bandsaw any day!

[Lynn Dudenbostel]

Beergeek... thanks. Trouble is, the DIY Network owns all of the footage, at least for several years. Also, if I were to do an instructional video/DVD, I would want to do it in much greater detail than any of the footage that already exists. I can see the possibility of producing a series on mandolin building, and another on guitar building, even to the level of detail on how to take measurements from an existing instrument and creating your own patterns. I wouldn't want to do it halfway. It would probably end up being 2 or 3 DVD's in each series. Wouldn't cost as much as a bandsaw, but it wouldn't be cheap to do this either! I'm giving it serious thought. Anyone with a Canon GL2 camcorder they'd like to donate?! <G>

Lynn

[P Josey]

Lynn, glad to see you're giving a video series some serious thought. I agree with beergeek when he says a lot of people would appreciate the opportunity to benefit from your experience. This thread has had the potential to vanish but there continues to be renewed interest.


Paul Josey

[owsleystanley]

I had a buddy of mine record the 2nd and 3rd parts of the mandolin building series. If anyone could provide me with the first I'd greatly appreciate it. Email me at m3lieven@wmich.edu. Thankyou

[Rob Powell]

Hey Lynn!

They're re-playing the guitar series and somehow, I can't NOT watch the shows....hehee

BTW, what brand of chisels do you use/recommend?

--Rob

[Lynn Dudenbostel]

Beergeek.... I am using some chisels that were my fathers. They are German, but I can't remember what brand without going to look. I remember Fine Woodworking doing an article comparing different brands some years back and there was little to no difference in the edge holding abilities of the ones tested. I think if you stick with Sorby or Henry Taylor, you'll be getting top quality tools. Look for ones with nice comfortable handles. That's important. Also, I prefer ones with handles that aren't round, so the smaller ones won't roll off of the bench. I'm partial to wooden handles too.

Lynn

[Flowerpot]

Speaking of the chisels, my dad was over watching the DIY guitar building series. He's a machinist with lots of experience, and knows woodworking fairly well too. After seeing the shows, his comment was "If they really wanted to teach you something, they'd dedicate one whole episode to how he sharpens his tools." Lotta truth there I think; I'm sure that's something you'd want to cover in an in-depth video series.

[Luthier]

Its a great video! #Building instruments, as has been stated so many times, is woodworking. #To wood work, you need tools. #To use the tools they MUST BE SHARP! #BTW....I have a student to teach this summer. (Woo Hoo).#The first thing he will be learning is sharpening. #If you can shave hair off your arm....its sharp.


Don

[Lynn Dudenbostel]

Agreed... if it won't shave, it's not only dull, it's unsafe. A sharp tool requires less force and that equals less opportunity to slip off of your work and cut yourself, or something else. But, I think a video series on instrument building has to draw the line somewhere, and sharpening is a basic woodworking skill and there are rescources all over the place on it. If someone is going to tackle building an instrument, I think one must assume a basic level of woodworking knowledge. I feel my efforts would be better spent teaching, for example, how to take patterns from an existing instrument rather than sharpening. But, your point is well taken and I believe mention/reminder of sharpening must be made in an instruction video.

Lynn

[Rob Powell]

Hey Lynn!

Thanks! Next time you pick up one of those chisels, take a look if you wouldn't mind...they wouldn't happen to be Two Cherries would they?

The reason I ask is twofold...yours have the mirror finish which you use to your advantage and secondly, they obviously take a good edge since the slice through a lot of the wood like butter...

I'm probably going to get them off the net and sometimes you can't really tell about the mirror finish from the pics posted.

--Rob

[Lynn Dudenbostel]

The chisels I have are Hirsch (Germany). I think you can (or at least could) buy them from Highland Hardware in Atlanta. As for the mirror finish, if you lap the back side of the chisel on a series of water stones like you should (to insure it is flat), you'll end up with a mirror finish on the back of any chisel.

Lynn

[Rob Powell]

Thanks Lynn...

I think the Two Cherries, Hirsch and Ulmia chisels are all manufactured by the same plant in Germany with the handles being the only difference. The better ones by all of the three have already been mirror finished.


If someone is going to tackle building an instrument, I think one must assume a basic level of woodworking knowledge.

I'm not so sure that's a good assumption http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

But I do agree that an instructional video should focus on the actual building techniques. Having very little woodwoorking experience myself but a great love of instruments, I have absolutely no interest in building bookcases, desks, tables or birdhouses.

Assuming it's a dvd, I think I would like chapter divisions like:

1) Tools - A brief chapter on what tools you personally use in the construction.
2) Supplies - A brief chapter on wood and wood sizes that you use.
3) Making your patterns and jigs.
4) Your instrument building process.
5) Your finishing process.
6) Tool tips - Some of your opinions about various other tool options, tricks that you use and some basic information about selecting and using those tools.
7) Wood tips - Your opinions on optional wood choices, tonal qualities and some basic information on making wood selections (grain, sizes, etc.)
8) Building tips - Your opinions on when you do what parts of the process, optional methods of graduation, wood shaping and tap tuning.
9) Finishing tips - Your opinions of the various finishing techniques and supplies.

In other words, everything I might learn from you if I were your apprentice http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

It would certainly be a lot of work for you but I think that Homespun tapes might be interested in doing it.

In any case, I know I speak for everyone here that we appreciate your work and we're very happy to have you as part of this forum!

--Rob

[Rob Powell]

Oh yeah...almost forgot...while I'm wishing http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

One for mandos and one for guitars...hehee. Just whip 'em up in your spare time...

--Rob

[Lynn Dudenbostel]

Well, that's pretty much what I'm thinking. A guitar DVD set and a mandolin DVD set. I think a lot of what you outlined as to what should be in it is already floating around in the back of my mind. I still think how to use basic woodworking tools and maintain them is best left to resources like the Fine Woodworking video series. You could spend an hour on hand planes alone! I think I want to cover developing patterns, wood selection, carving options, actual construction, finishing, fretting/re-fretting, set-up, care/maintenance. As for building tips, I think those are best presented throughout the DVD, at the appropriate times. I also think I'd start out telling viewers to watch the entire program and take notes on what you'll need before ever buying your wood. I think it should be aimed at the person who has never made a musical instrument, but don't think I'll go as far as teaching basic woodworking (as in "here's how to make a cut on your table saw"). Special fixtures such as fret slotting jigs for the table saw would be covered in detail.

Lynn

[jaevans]

which reminds me, is there anyone out there who has a DVD drive/recorder and the skills needed to do conversion from video? I'd like to locate such a soul, especially if they do not have DIY.

tnx,
john

[pathazzard]

I still think how to use basic woodworking tools and maintain them is best left to resources like the Fine Woodworking video series.#I think I want to cover developing patterns, wood selection, carving options, actual construction, finishing, fretting/re-fretting, set-up, care/maintenance. #As for building tips, I think those are best presented throughout the DVD, at the appropriate times. I think it should be aimed at the person who has never made a musical instrument, but don't think I'll go as far as teaching basic woodworking (as in "here's how to make a cut on your table saw"). #Special fixtures such as fret slotting jigs for the table saw would be covered in detail.

Lynn
I finally got to view the mando series yesterday. Awesome! So many questions answered, so many more in my head. Was that actually yellow glue you used on the blocks and top plate? How do you maintain perfect registration to the center glueline and X,Y coordinates for every top and back? (I think I figured out that you used place holders for the bolt locations when you digitized your master.) I was really looking forward because I have the exact CNC (ShopBot 48")that Lynn uses. I think you are right on about going to the meat of instrument building. To get anywhere near a quality build level you either work your own way up like Steve Smith (SirenWorks, who looks like he's come a long way fast), working out your own techniques, or you come into it with extensive experience in other woodworking areas and hope to minimize mistakes and time by the gracious instruction of the masters. I've got 30+ yrs as machinist and I get a kick out of seeing all the different ways people go about jig design, etc. So, yeah, I'd like to see the emphasis on jigs, tooling, tap tuning, setup, gluing, etc. I'm not sure about showing how to measure from a Loar because I don't exactly remember where I put mine right now ;') Oh, and Lynn I built a really sweet tempered stainless bending strip with maple knobs I think you'd really like. Maybe we could work out a trade for one(smiley). You can't ever have too many tools or mandolins! - Pat Harrell

[thistle3585]

Lynn,
What about doing a series of instrument repair videos, then you could re-edit them to fit into an instrument building series. (Heck, look at the notoriety of Frank Ford's site.) That way, you could get the project rolling, as well as help fund the larger building series.

[Lynn Dudenbostel]

Pat... it's hard to explain, but I use the same holes to mount the top (or back) whether I'm carving the inside our outside surface. So, as long as I lay out a good center line and drill the holes (using the Shopbot) from that centerline, everything works great. It's important to establish a good centerline on your work table as a reference, and you may want to do that by taking a vee cutter and cutting a shallow line down your table in the X and Y axis for reference. One other thing, I never mount work directly on my Shopbot table, I always use sub-tables, that way, if the cutter gets away from me, I don't mess up the big board I spent so much time getting flat and mounting threaded inserts in. The sub-tables work great and I think make a lot of sense.

As for the repair videos, I don't do that much repair, and it's so different than building an instrument from scratch, I plan to just tape the entire building process. I'll probably include some material on refretting and other jobs one should know how to do. I figure nut replacement, bridge fitting and the like will be covered in the construction area pretty well. Taping should begin soon.

Lynn

[Rob Powell]

Taping should begin soon.

Now that's the best news I've had today!!!!!!

[sonnyjammer]

Hi Lynn, do you plan to begin an official list of interested buyers, if so how do we sign up for purchase ? Thanks for your interest in sharing, from someone who is in the final stages of building my first mandolin. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Triad]

put my copy on reserve ..he
Kyle

[Lynn Dudenbostel]

I don't plan to maintain a list, but will more than likely make a special offer to Comando and MandoCafe members right before it's complete. I'll post it here, and make sure it's in the classifieds, and on Comando. Maybe I can even twist Scott's arm to list it on the front page of the Cafe. Anyway, you guys will get the first crack at them, and I'll start taking orders right before they are released. I suspect it will be 8 months or so, as I suspect I'll want to tape construction on two or three instruments and use the best parts of each. I'll just have to see how it goes.

Thanks to all who expressed interest! I think it's going to be a lot of fun.

Lynn

[mandoman15]

Pick Me!!!