What kit should i get?

[CollingsPicker]

I wanna build a mando kit and was wondering if any of you would suggest a certain kit for me.

[crazymandolinist]

Why not by the wood yourself? Lmii.com will have you need

[EdSherry]

The three most-commonly-recommended kits are the International Violin (IV) kits, the Stewart-McDonald kits and the Roger Siminoff kits. #There are plenty of threads on the Cafe about the pros and cons of each. #

The IV A kit is here (but they have other kits and in-the-white instruments as well):

http://www.internationalviolin.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=MK1

The Stew-Mac A-5 kits are here (they also have an F-5 kit and a "Campfire" kit):

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Kits/Mandolin_Kits/A5_Mandolin_Kits.html

The Siminoff kiits are here:

http://www.siminoff.net/pages/siminoff_parts9.htm


I've been (slowly) working through an IV A-style kit. #IMHO, it's good value for money.

Don Kawalek (who posts on the Cafe under "Luthier") also has kits available:

http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin....t=45725 (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=7;t=45725)

In any case, Siminoff's newer book on mandolin construction is "the Bible":



http://www.stewmac.com/shop....al.html (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Books,_plans/Building_and_repair:_Mandolin/The_Ultimate_Bluegrass_Mandolin_Construction_Manua l.html)

(Or order it from Roger.)

And Graham MacDonald just published a book (which I haven't seen) on mandolin construction:

http://www.themandolinproject.info/

[billhay4]

Your skill level will have a lot to do with this as the different kits differ in the amount of work they leave to the customer. If I have read the threads correctly, the IV kits leave the least amount of work, Stew Mac second, and Siminoff third. However, both Stew Mac kits and Siminoff kits are customizable to some extent, too.
The quality of materials will also be higher in the latter two kits.
Bill

[Geoff B]

LMI (www.lmii.com) has a "kit" which is really just an amalgamation of all the raw pieces and hardwar/parts. Everything you need to build whatever you want in a mandolin size. Gives you a lot of flexibility if you can figure out how/why to change the recipe.

[Fretbear]

One big factor would be your ability to handle the top and back graduations. While Stewmac offers extremely high quality tonewoods, you have to be able to graduate them accurately. Siminoff offers fully graduated tops and backs as an option.

[CollingsPicker]

Thanks everyone,

I don't want to just get the wood myself,( a little too difficult ) I was looking at the StewMac Kit, but those other kits look great too. When I decide which one would be best for me I'll let you all know.

Thanks,

David

[John Saxon]

If you were close, I'd let you use my templates and forms and help you from scratch.:D

[crazymandolinist]

It's not hard to buy wood yourself. It should be cheaper than a kit too, and you can customize it. Part of the fun is learning every aspect of building the instrument as you go. I'd suggest buying an unfinished neck though, because that part can be tricky. Do what you want.

[jlatorre]

I'd like to put in a plug for Don Kawalek's kits. He discontinued production for a while, but might be up and running again.

[Matt the Mead Maker]

I've been very happy with my StewMac Kit - great quality of wood and the blueprint is fantastic. I've found the MacRostie DVD very helpful, especially in conjunction with Roger Siminoff's "Constructing a Bluegrass Mandolin" book. If you're new to instrument building and your goal is to be able to build from scratch, this is a great start. That being said, the Siminoff kit looks very similar to the Stew Mac kit and it's a bit cheaper.

I tried to buy the IV F5 kit but they were out of stock and after a month, I gave up and went with StewMac.

[MikeEdgerton]

...Do what you want.
That is always excellent advice http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[crazymandolinist]

LMI (www.lmii.com) has a "kit" which is really just an amalgamation of all the raw pieces and hardwar/parts. #Everything you need to build whatever you want in a mandolin size. #Gives you a lot of flexibility if you can figure out how/why to change the recipe.
Could you please give me a direct link to that kit? I've been looking for something like that for awhile now.

[Bill Snyder]

LMII kit page. (http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/thirdproducts.asp?CategoryName=++Legacy+Kits&NameProdHeader=Standard+Guitar+Kits) It is the F5 kit. Item B7K.

[Bill Snyder]

Here (http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/DataSheets/KitB7K.htm) is the parts list for that "kit".

[mandolinplucker]

I haven't built a stew mac or a siminoff. I have done a few IV kits and a scratch two point A. My suggestion ,even if you plan to scratch build, would be to do an IV "A" kit. Everything except the glue and finish is included,the parts are rough carved, the neck joint is cut and the sides are bent and glued to the top. It is by no means a glue together kit. The top and back has to be graduated and shaped. The final shaping has to be done on the neck, tone bars shaped,glued in and tuned, inlay (if you want it), sanding, finishing, polishing,and set up. You will learn a lot that will help later on if you decide to do a scratch build. Another plus is that if you do it right you will wind up with a nice sounding mandolin. Thats a lot of learning for $100. I kept 2 of mine and play them regularly at home,jamming and on stage. My first is a little crude but sounds and plays great and the last one is a lot more refined in appearance and sounds great also. It takes a lot of time,patience, and work to build even an IV kit and the experience will tell you if you want to try a scratch or stew mac or siminoff which requires a lot more tools, skill, patience, time, and work.

[crazymandolinist]

Thanks, Bill. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Matt the Mead Maker]

For anyone who thinks that the stew-mac kits are too advanced for a beginner, I'd encourage them to check out this blog where the guy documents building the stew-mac F5 as his first build: http://coydog.com/mandolin/

I'm currently doing this same kit for my first build and I'm having an absolute blast. #It's even more fun than I expected. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif #I've got a blog documenting my progress at: www.myspace.com/frontporchallstars but I think you'd have to be a myspace member to read it. #The coydog article mentioned above can be read by anyone.

[Bill Snyder]

FWIW you can look at your myspace blog without be a member.

[Matt the Mead Maker]

Thanks for letting me know, Bill! I wasn't sure how locked down the site is. I'm not much of a myspace guru.

[violin2233]

The IV A model kits are in stock and there is a HUGE special on the true F4 model kits. The F5 kits will be back in stock in about 3 weeks.
UPDATE.. I have been through 3 manufactures for making me mandola kits and I hope the third one gets it right but I still don't have an ETA. :-( I will keep all that emailed me updated though.

[walt33]

For anyone who thinks that the stew-mac kits are too advanced for a beginner, I'd encourage them to check out this blog where the guy documents building the stew-mac F5 as his first build: http://coydog.com/mandolin/


Sorry to unearth an old thread, but that coydog url doesn't work. This one will get you there (scroll down to the mando):

http://www.coydog.com/ContentByTag.aspx?TagID=103

Walt