F-5 #1

[craigw]

This has been over a year in the works but I had to put 'er on the bench for over five months when I was involved with putting together SuperGrass/LoarFest West this past February. Except for outsourcing a couple of things with Bryan England at Custom Inlay it's pretty much from scratch. Tonewoods are from Old Standard (Adirondac and red Maple)with Bill James tailpiece, Sullivan bridge and Grover tuners. It's the first of , hopefully, many more.

[jim_n_virginia]

sure would be easier to admire your mandolin if you posted a picture of it? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[craigw]

Hey Jim, It looked like the photo was going on the post but it didn't. I'm working on it.
Thanks,
Craig W

[Scott Tichenor]

Posting this picture for Craig.

[Scott Tichenor]

And, and impressive first effort I'd say! Great work, Craig.

[Antlurz]

Sho Nuff looks like it was worth the wait!!!

Ron

[craigw]

The finger rest is figured red maple. I resawed several slices off the excess cut away from the neck blank. The inspiration is from Michael Lewis who does the curly maple abreviated guards. I was tethered to a Loar for over 34 years and wanted to to maintain the vintage look but also liked the contrast of Spruce and Maple. I have about three others blanked out of the same piece to make some more guards.

[Gail Hester]

That must be the one you were telling me about. It looks great, nice to see it finished. How does it sound?

[craigw]

Hi Gail! It actually blew me away when I strung it up in the white and it had this big woody tone with a ton of sustain. I think starting with really good tone wood was a plus, then I got a Loar graduations topo from Spruce and a tone bar and sound chamber tutorial from Michael Heiden. I also tried to tap tune as best I could but didn't spend a lot of time with that. I finished it with Spirit violin varnish and am in the process of french polishing some problem spots.

[Ron C]

Hey Craig, that's a wonderful mandolin I saw, is that the same one at Grass Valley I played? Your doing a good job, keep up the fine work. I'm sure we will see more of those from you in the near future

Ron C
colemandolins.com

[craigw]

Hi Ron. Yeah, it's the same one I hauled into the luthiers pavilion. I've been playing it quite a bit since then and it seems to be opening up quite nicely. Thanks for the nice comments. Hope you can make to LoarFest in 07.

[Antlurz]

Coincidentally, I'm making a quilted maple pickguard to match the back of the one I'm working on now. I hope it's not too distracting, but I think it should look OK.

Ron

[cbogle]

I've had the opportunity to see this mandolin throughout the building process, and to to play it.......both in the white and finished. This is a magnificent first effort by my long-time friend, and really has a great vintage vibe and feel.....got a real nice setup, too!

[Gibson A5]

Fantastic #1 mando.
Congrats!
Bill P.

[Ron C]

Craig,
I will try to make the '07 fest but sometimes weather has it's way's at that time of the year in this part of the country so I'll just have to try.
If you need any help on your other mando's or some advice Craig feel free to ask, ok? I've had good advice from other's when I started so I help other's too when I can
Ron http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[craigw]

Ron, this is what is so great about the mando building community. Guys like you, Lewis, Heiden, Brentrup, Weins, (you too Gail) et al that are so willing to share knowledge about their craft and artisanry and help make the learning curve a little shorter.

[david blair]

Wow, nice mandolin, looks a lot like my Lewis indeed.

[david blair]

and the front.

[Hans]

Very nice first effort Craig...tone's there too. You've got the idea...run with it! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif