First time building - how many is wise?

[StevenS]

I am little by little gathering what I need to build a mandolin or two or three.

I built a single banjo and found that it was a bummer to have the mistakes I learned from stuck in that one instrument.

Got me thinking, maybe the thing to do is work with a batch of three -- one to learn from, one to refine on and one to hopefully get right (at the first-pass level of "right".

Experienced luthiers what are your words of wisdom on the first outings?

Thanks,
Steve

[delsbrother]

I've heard it said regarding chairmaking that by the time you jig up to make one, you might as well make six. Is the same true of instruments? Or are you just making more mistakes faster?

[Dusepo]

I'd say start with one. I have found learning can be a slow process and takes time.

[Rick Lindstrom]

Sometimes you don't know that you've made a mistake until you're a process, or two or three, down the road from it and then it's too late.

Building three instruments simultaneously on your first go will give you the chance to build the same mistakes into three at a time rather than one.

My advice is to build one at a time so you can avoid those mistakes and take advantage of what you've learned along the way on subsequent builds.

Rick

[Pat Healey]

I agree. I'd build one at a time and take careful notes and lot's of pictures along the way.

[Hans]

One.

[Mario Proulx]

Another strong vote for one at a time. With two or more, you will be lax, thinking you can make mistakes on the throwaway one and then do it right on the good one, but all you've done is practiced a mistake. Build one, and use good materials, and you'll be doubly careful not to make mistakes.

[sunburst]

Yep, 1.

[toddjoles]

One at a time! I used two complete sets of wood on my first, and so will you! You will break sides, you will have binding channel issues, carving the maple back will kick your ass, you will have problems with fitting the neck, you may even have the drill press depth guage slip and drill through your back! There is a learning curve, and you will make mistakes while you figure things out! It takes patience and a students attitude. It also helps to be prepared with another piece of wood ready to go when things happen.

[StevenS]

I am so glad I asked this question. Thank you for taking the time to share the wisdom.
One it will be.
Thanks,
Steve

[grandcanyonminstrel]

Start with building one. If you can, try to have materials for two or three all cut from the same log or board. That way, if you blow it on one area, you can pull a matched piece from the others. By the time you get ready for the second, you will have the materials seasoned.

j.
www.condino.com

[Rick Turner]

One. And I think that even those of us who have been building for years will go to one on something new.

But then, when and if you are satisfied with your design and the sequence of steps, building two or three at once makes a lot of sense.

[Lefty Luthier]

My bitter experiences getting started indicates at least 4 classes of mistakes; basic construction, assembly, finishing, and set-up. My first four, so many years ago followed that pattern as have many youngsters who I have mentored. Don't expect complete satisfaction until at lest number 5 or in my case somewhere between 90 and 100.

[Dale Ludewig]

One.

[Jerry Haynes]

One. Be patient and then...be patient. One hurried mistake can set you way back, maybe to the beginning. Good Luck, Jerry

[Geoff B]

I wouldn't build in batches until you've built several individually. There are too many mistakes to learn, too many different processes to experiment with, to commit that much time to several so early. I'd recommend experimenting a little until you find the process that you like, then proceed to "jig up" and get the batches rolling. Learn different methods for carving the top and back, learn different methods for joining the neck, experiment with different woods. By doing that, you'll have come to problems and solutions from a variety of perspectives and will be able to handle them much better when you start to build in batches.

[Michael Lewis]

Yes, one at a time to start. Keep notes as you go through the process, write down each thing you will change on the next one. Some things will rise up and bite you after the process has moved on, too late to do much about it now. Well, you CAN do something about it now, you are the maker, make it right!

I hope this will be an enjoyable journey for you, THAT part is up to you.

[StevenS]

Thank you again for the additional thoughts. Now I must actually get one started. Gulp.
Steve

[robinphil]

One thing at a time-- I'd start with the neck-- just my 2 cents