New camera , Last mando built .

[french guy]

Hello ,
Recently I've got a camera , and I just want to share pictures .
This mando is the last I've built , in winter 2003 2004 .
She have top and back assembled with the rim like a fiddle , and wood purfling , also like a fiddle , but she sound like an F5 .
There 's 2 carbon fiber bars as truss rod .
Walnut on the peghead . etc ...

[french guy]

another

[french guy]

one again

[french guy]

one more

[french guy]

one more

[french guy]

and the last ,
I'm waiting for your comments .

[grandmainger]

Nice!!! I love the F-holes, with the 2 round holes at each end. Very nice!

Is the bridge home-made too?

[Lefty&French]

Nice pics, French Guy ! Sounds pretty fine too. Amitiés,

[mandoJeremy]

Very nice, I love the color and the duller finish. The f-holes are cool. Great job.

[tope]

Looks good French, the overall design is pleasing.

[Skip Kelley]

Very nice mando! Did you make the tailpiece?

[mandopete]

I've been wondering how long it would take someone to really make a more violin-like mandolin, looks like you've done it Mr. French!

Very interesting bridge - this is a really a very unique mandolin.

[amowry]

Truly delicious!

[mandoryan]

Very cool French Guy. I love the finish. It looks like a good violin varnish. Good luster to it.

[mad dawg]

I love the violin-rim approach, the finish, and the Stradolin-esque F-holes. Nice work!

[mandolooter]

very nice..I was wondering if we'd see the finished product. I remember when ya posted it in the white, month back. I love the "violin" look and Im thinking of trying that approach on my first one Im starting this fall. Hows it sound?

[JeffS]

That is very nice. I like the violin like rims and purfling. Wonderful design. Did you make the tailpiece also? I like it a lot.

[french guy]

Thanks all for your nice replies ,

Yes I've made the tailpiece ( and made some more for an US luthier , who like it ) , it come from a piece of brass .
I've also made the bridge , but I'm thinking of trying the traditionnal adjustable bridge , because this one is stiff and very difficult to adjust on the top because of the deflection .

The finish is two color alcool based ( yellow and brown ) with
alcool varnish airbrushed .
- parrallel bracing .
About the sound , difficult for me to speak about the sound .
Because it's my baby . I've some friends here in France who
have tried this mando just a couple of weeks ago , especially lefty&french .
Hope he come back again on this topic and speak about the sound .
Personnaly I love it .

[Lee]

Wow, very nice, elegant. The violin-like rim and purfling is ingenious. Is the rim cut away where the tailpiece fits or is the tailpiece mounted in such a way that clears the overhang of the top?

[Philip Halcomb]

Great unique style! Looks fantastic... Just like you said, like a fiddle... Great job!

[mandolooter]

One question, are the sides recessed into the top and back or is that aspect like a standard mando's construction?

[french guy]

Mandolooter
No it's just aspect , not recessed in top and back .
I've never built fiddle , and I 'm not sure if top and back are recessed in a fiddle.

[mandolooter]

Thanks I don't think fiddles are either but i don't really know so thats a guess.

[bud]

They look great. So will you be bringing these over on your next trip to the states? Perhaps to Union Grove?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[french guy]

Perhaps to Union Grove?

Yes Bud , if she's not gone to other hands before !!

[ira]

goooooooooooooooorgeous!!!!

[french guy]

Is the rim cut away where the tailpiece fits or is the tailpiece mounted in such a way that clears the overhang of the top?


There's a triangular piece of wood between rim and tailpiece
as we see a little in the pic .

[troika]

Beautiful craftsmanship!! Will you make an F5 with the same violin purfling??