Mandolins in progress

[dj9124]

Looks great boboshoes! Love the looks of that walnut.
Dave

[Km1000seth]

Hey Jim,

That harborfreight Press, was the 20 bucks w/wo the heads?


Seth

[Km1000seth]

I LOVE the Walnut Boboshoes! I wanna see the top though;)

[boboshoes]

Plain Jane top just like I like em. I did inlay some wolf trcks down the fretboard though.

[boboshoes]

Here's a shot of the front and back of the peghead. Pretty bad pictures but you get the idea.

[Skip Kelley]

Boboshoes, Thats cool!!

[Km1000seth]

dude, that headstock design is awsome!

[Km1000seth]

okay, everybodys been postin thier work, and I been feelin left out(thats my own problem), but...yesterday after three hours of work, the FIRST work that Ive done to it. VOILA

[Dru Lee Parsec]

OK, heres' a couple of shots of ONE of my current projects.

After making 2 of the Siminoff forms and hating them (I just can't seem to get that internal/infernal interior clamp to hold. It keeps falling out) I threw them away and made a standard outside form.
http://www.brouelette.com/dulcimer/tmb/images/mandoproj1.jpg

Here's the body that came from that form. No, it's not left handed, I just set the body down backwards when I took the photo http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

http://www.brouelette.com/dulcimer/tmb/images/mandoproj2.jpg

Here's a shot of the back of the neck (not yet carved) with the "ears" glued on.

http://www.brouelette.com/dulcimer/tmb/images/mandoproj3.jpg

I love working on this mandolin, but right now I have 6 Tennessee music boxes, a mountain dulcimer and 2 guitars in various stages of production. And I just got a commision for another dulcimer! I'm going to be a busy boy this summer. Aw what the heck, it beats watching TV. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[John Zimm]

I like the looks of that form you made. Do you use clamps then to hold the rim to the mold? That looks like a fun project. I have to get back into it one of these days.

-John.

[Dru Lee Parsec]

Exactly! I clamped them from the outside. That's why there are those weird notches on the upper right corner. Those notches are there so the outside clamps will fit solidly.

[bobz]

Your mould is similar to mine Dru Lee Parsec. I made mine that way so I could use bar clamps to glue the top on while the sides are clamped in the mould. I made a caul from MDF with cork glued on the underside.

[oldwave maker]

More of Spruce's mottled redwood and quilted maple, another light and lively

[Dru Lee Parsec]

bobz:

That outside clamping caul is a great idea. Bob Benedetto does something similar when he builds archtop guitars.

I need to modify my form a bit. Now that I have the point protectors glued on it no longer fits in the mold!

[labraid]

Hi all!
Here's Brian Dean's number 15 in progress.
http://www.bfolk.com/15_IP_1.jpg

Avagudwun,
-Brian

[bobz]

Dru Lee Parsec
I had to modify my mould as well because I glued the point protectors on first also. Yes, I`m copying the construction methods Bob Benedetto uses in his excellent videos. I used homemade spool clamps to glue the backs on. I have a jazz arch top guitar that will be finished the same time as my mandos.

[oldwave maker]

raw 'dola, 16" scale snakehead, still tweaking compensation

[oldwave maker]

raw 'dolaback- in the immortal words of fiddler Les Riggs 'nice wood'

[oldwave maker]

Arizona ironwood (olneya tesota) fretboard and peghead veneer, wet with mineral spirits, my favorite parts wood

[Don Grieser]

Now that is some psychodelic wood!

[ira]

what an intense color- i love it! bill, you are a true artist!

[John Zimm]

All those pictures are beautiful Bill. Thanks for giving us something nice to look at while we should be working. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

-John.

[phynie]

hey bill, where do you get that wood? I would love to make a pickguard out of that if I could get my hands on a blank.

[oldwave maker]

Woodworkers source on palo verde in tucson has a bin full of it, $8/lb, yer lookin at almost $3 worth in that mando alone! with polishin, in the right light, it has a 3 dimensional copper/bronze matrix in the brown.
BTW, Im just the woodbutcher on these projects, the true artist is whoever figgered out how to make a universe with a planet with stable enough temperatures for H2O to be liquid and olneya tesota to evolve and thrive, oops, we're gettin into that old time religion here, or is it metabiophysics?

[phynie]

Thanks!

[Tim Saxton]

Bill,

You make some of the finest mandolins!

Good job. Keep up the Great Work!!

Tim Saxton

[Keith Newell]

I love Ironwood. I used to live in Mesa AZ and learned to love it....kinda...it will dull amazingly sharp tools and saws. Here is a pic of an ironwood overlay on one of my custom headstocks.
Keith Newell
http://www.newellmandolins.com

[Magnus Geijer]

#2, 3 and 4 in various stages of (in)completion. First time binding a body. Sure was easier to do the fret board!

http://www.k-image.com/m/PICT1803.jpg

[Jim Hilburn]

I tried to find some wood with some figure, but I had to settle for this.
#30, about 3 weeks away. Thats varnish, by the way.

[Flowerpot]

"Had to settle" for that... great googly-moogly, I hope that's some heavy sarcasm! What a gorgeous back, and great sunburst, looks good enough to eat.

[zeke]

I absolutely hate the thought of posting after you, Jim. My camera lens withers at the very thought. Yup, lookin' good, as always.

[Scotti Adams]

..yummy..Jim....I would love to play one of yours someday....

[mandoJeremy]

PERFECT!!!

[Brookside]

Jim, your pics make me want to sell all my tools and buy one of yours. Your sunbursts are always stunning.

[Chris Baird]

Jim, very nice work; what are you using for varnish(if I may be so bold to ask)?

[Jim Hilburn]

Chris, you know that's like asking a lady her age! I'm using a combination of shellac and oil varnish.
The first shot was when the afternoon sun was coming in my finish room window, and I couldn't resist taking the pic. This one isin a little more natureal light, and gives a better perspective of how it really looks, but as always, the red is a little too strong.

[mandoJeremy]

Still PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jim, you are definitely one of THE guys to watch.

[amowry]

I just found this forum. I guess I'm behind the times. Everyone's work here looks beautiful. I won't waste space here, but I've got lots of construction photos on my website.

[Brookside]

I love your site Andrew. I saw it a couple of weeks ago when someone started a thread here about you. The closeups and the many photographs documenting the building process are something you don't see much of on builders sites. Bravo!

I hope you will stick around and become a regular contributor to this forum, if you have the time. There are a lot of amateur builders here who could use your input from time to time.

[mandoJeremy]

Andrew, your work does look quite impressive. I would love to play one.

[amowry]

Thanks! I'm only doing it part-time so far, and just starting to get a few out there being played. So, I can't claim to actually know what I'm doing yet, but I'd certainly be happy to give any input that I can. Lots of other luthiers have been tremendously helpful to me, so I'd be delighted to pass it on. That was my main reason for posting construction photos on my site-- Lynn Dudenbostel's similar photos have been a huge help to me.

[John Jesseph]

Finally got back out to the shop and worked on the mando. Cut the f holes last night and fit the tonebars this morning. I will give them one more look tonight and make final adjustments and glue them in.

[zeke]

Okay, gotta see if my re-sizing still works. Anyway here's the last couple of day's work....

[zeke]

And here they are after a bit of binding scaping (I mask, but it never seems to stay on the scroll binding!)

[zeke]

And here's their headstocks.....

[labraid]

Gidday all, here's instrument number seventeen, an octave flat top, still very much in the works of course. A custom order with a challenging inlay. Man the medieval music was sure'a'playin' the day I cut that one. Still some cleanup to do on the inlay, but thought I'd post while I had a sec... Have ye's a good one,
Brian

http://www.bfolk.com/cafe/octave17ip.jpg

[oldwave maker]

abalone/herringbone/abalone rosette on Ray's raised fretboard F3 copy, now I know where monteleone got that slantaway upper trebleside point idea.......topwood allegedly from Given's old girlfriend!

[Keith Newell]

Here is a custom ordered mandolin. She wants a dragon like what her favorite books in Sci-fi are about so here it is in the white. She wanted black-face and dark all around but now is having second thoughts because how cool the face looks. I sugest dark reddish brown to black...what do you think??
Keith Newell
http://www.newellmandolins.com

[Keith Newell]

another

[Keith Newell]

another also

[Keith Newell]

even another.

GO back to previous page #12 to see first shots of this mandolin.

[Keith Newell]

Its got a pretty thin neck due to her small hands. I'm still trying to get the hang of getting as good a digital pics as some of out fine mandolincafe members.
Keith

[Dfyngravity]

actually i just had a mandolin made that has a dark reddish borwn to black birst. i love it. it was kinda modeled after the adam steffey model gibson has out. by the way, nice looking mando....it looks like it will killer(literally)

[Keith Newell]

Nooo! I need to get paid! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Keith

[zeke]

Very cool lookin' ax there, Kieth. Is that faux tortise binding? Very nice. I like the overall design.

[Km1000seth]

WOW!

[John Zimm]

Wow, that is beautiful work. I wish I had a fraction of the talent you guys have. Good work.

-John.

[resonant68]

There are some fine mandos on here.....great work everybody!

I finally got around to finishing my S model.
Strung 'er up today!!!

[Keith Newell]

Well, here is the stain and a base of shellac.
Keith Newell

[Keith Newell]

The top...

Keith

[resonant68]

Very Nice!!
I gotta do a one piece back one day.
That's a good looking mando,Keith.Love the scroll,too.

[Km1000seth]

uhhhhh..(OPEN MOUTH>>>>STARING IN LUST>>>>WOW>>>>>DROOL)

[oldwave maker]

Another hunk of that orcas island tonewood, thanks Bruce!

[boboshoes]

It's getting closer every day! Can't wait to get it done. Went ahead and put on claro walnut pickgaurd and armrest to protect the french polish.

[boboshoes]

The back is finished. I'm looovin french polishing. My elbow isn't though http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[mandoJeremy]

Looks great there boboshoes! Nice looking detail work on the scroll and all. Great back also!

[Tim Saxton]

Here are some shots of an Agape F-5 Mandolin built by builder Brian Woods of Stanwood, Wa.

The top is red spruce and the back is quilted maple.

Enjoy.

Any questions shoot an email off to me.

Tim Saxton

[Tim Saxton]

Here is a very wishfull owner counting the days down till it is really playable.

[Tim Saxton]

Test fit of parts

[Tim Saxton]

last shot is of the top glued on.

Thanks

Tim

[Patrick Gunning]

Hey Tim, that's great your getting a new mando! I got a Collings guitar for graduation (three weeks and still drooling) Still want the Weber? Just kidding around but seriously you had a great instrument before. Gotta love that Sam Bush workshop quote.

- Patrick (from Maltby jams and such)

[Jim Hilburn]

I'm so happy with my latest peghead, I thought I'd just post a picture of it. I just level sanded it this morning, and it hasn't recieved any type of filler.

[Jim Hilburn]

If you've seen my other mandolins, you've seen the inlay I've been using at the 12th fret. The guy who's getting this one liked it so much he wanted one at every position.
Looking at this photo makes me think it needs one at the 3rd fret too.

[mandoJeremy]

Excellent as usual Jim. #You MUST be a perfectionist to the highest degree. I agree with one at the 3rd fret also.

[Scotti Adams]

Jim..if you dont mind my asking..where do you get your abalone from...Ive always thought since you have started posting your pics that you have the most colorful abalone I have ever seen...absolutley stunning work too!!

[Kent Barnes]

No Filler?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif? My gosh, how do you get such a tight fit on the inlay?? What size bit do you use? That is amazing!!

[Jim Hilburn]

Well, Kent, I just meant on the binding.There's just a little filler in inlay. Only a couple of tubes.
Scottie, I've found a beach in New Zealand where I free-dive to about 50 ft. and find these shells, as long as I can fend off the great whites.
Well, the actual real truth is, its the rare Abalam abalone. Yes, it's the composite sheets of Paua. You can see the seams in it on the sheet, but if you lay out your pieces right,you don't cross them, but for the flowery stuff, you can't see it anyway. It saws twice as easy as real shell, and of course you get total thickness consistency.
I saw a Gibson fern at Arlington, and I'm pretty sure
this is what they're using. If not, then they have a very good source.
I've mostly gotten my real shell from Stew-Mac, but you don't get much good stuff these days.I've never gotten on the "A" list for the good abalone.

[Keith Newell]

First time working with Quilted maple. Finish starts going on tomorrow.
Keith Newell

[ShaneJ]

Sweet! That's gonna be beautiful when you're done, Kieth!

[oldwave maker]

stain and sealer coat of shellac on kens golden blonde octave, fuzzys whiskey octave, georges loary a, micks curly redwood dola, curing in the anti-gravity booth!

[Keith Newell]

I'll take two of each please.
Keith

[Fuzzyway]

Delicious looking all. I can hardly wait.

Fuzzy

[rose#1]

mandokng that is some nice quilt here is some quilt I am working on out of my own wood stash

[rose#1]

scroll shots

[rose#1]

scroll shot

[mandoJeremy]

Excellent!! And I do love the tone they produce!

[dj9124]

Hey Darby, is that another custom one? The dots on the fingerboard are unusual. Sure love the figure on the back, beautiful!
Dave

[rose#1]

This one will be traveling to the Ibma's and shown there.

D

[dj9124]

Whats the topwood on that one Darby?
Dave

[rose#1]

the top wood is resalvaged white ceder.

[oldwave maker]

Frankly, I get bored making the same fruit and fish shaped mandotoys all the time, so heres what I do for cosmic, er, comic relief

[rose#1]

IBMA Rose ...

[rose#1]

more

[rose#1]

again

[rose#1]

hope the scroll work is acceptable.


D

[oldwave maker]

This is waaay more fun than the accordion cafe! backs of those ireland-bound F5s, final coat of lacquer applied, 2 drops stew-mac vintage amber, 2 drops fqms honey amber colortone per quart.

[dj9124]

Darby, nice job, can't wait to see the final finish. Bill those are beautiful, exactly what I would want my mandolin to look like!
Dave

[MandyLynn]

backs of those ireland-bound F5s
okay, you know it's bad when I read "ireland-bound" and think, gee, I never heard of that type of binding--ya think he meant ivoroid?? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

I need to get out more. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[rose#1]

finally got the binding scraped what a pain

[rose#1]

scroll work...

[Albert Whiting]

oldwave those mandoloins are absolutely beautiful! man that is an incredible color! could you please post some pics of the front.

[dj9124]

Darby, your scroll work is really nice! Is that a matt finish?

[rose#1]

that is just the stain no clear has been put on it yet I hope to do that tonight.

D

[oldwave maker]

Engelmann fronts on those f's, showed up to consign one at a shop once several years ago, owner complained that it didnt have enough dayglo lemon yellow in the center of the burst like a certain major manufacturer!

[oldwave maker]

backs of the f hole a's from this litter, colors mostly from colortone red/yellow/blue/green/black combos, applied directly to the bare wood

[amowry]

Bill- Do you spray that stain or wipe it, or both? That is absolutely stunning coloring.

[oldwave maker]

Andrew- I use an ingersol-rand 200g touch up gravity feed sprayer from lowe's, hit the whole thing with the lightest color ala benedetto, then work outward with the darker, maybe a light dusting of the darker in the center over the lighter, lightly rub a clean paper towel over the center, removing dust, hard to tell exactly what youve got till you get the finish coats on, and then its too late! what really makes the color come alive is the sealer- been using the premixed blonde shellac from shellac.net cut in half to 1.5#, couple of light coats,
Also good as a refreshing summer drink: 6oz shellac (their 3# cut is dissolved in some kinda food safe everclear, 4tbsp frozen grape juice, 1 tray ice cubes, put everything in the blender on liquify, serve quickly......must be where the term shellaced comes from......

[amowry]

Well, I knew shellac was food safe, but I think you may need to distance yourself from your work a little more :)

Seriously, thanks for info. I can't stop looking at those photos. I may have to break down and get spraying equipment some day.

[Jim Hilburn]

With all the scroll talk lately, I thought I'd go ahead and post this shot now that I have some finish on it.

[mandoJeremy]

As usual Jim that is how a scroll is supposed to look!!!!

[rose#1]

that is amazing lets see how stupid I look....

[Jim Hilburn]

Stupid? That's not the word I would use,Darby. I think your getting downright amazing. Great color and wood choice.

[rose#1]

Mr. Hilburn, a compliment like that coming from a master builder as yourself means a lot I hope to get to meet some of the true artist of mandolin building as yourself at the IBMA's

D

[mandoJeremy]

Darby, that is very nice work! Again, that is how a scroll is supposed to look in my opinion!

[mandoryan]

Yeah, I think both of you are doing a super job. Darby, your work is very good IMO! Great looking mandos both of you! Mr Bussman's mandos are incredible as well. That coloring is spectacular on those. They look vintage already.

[Kent Barnes]

Harlan #2 is getting real close! #Here's a couple of the latest pictures:
http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mando2pics/harlan2-1.jpg
http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mando2pics/harlan2-2.jpg

[Kent Barnes]

and a few more....
http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mando2pics/harlan2-3.jpg
http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mando2pics/harlan2-4.jpg
http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mando2pics/harlan2-5.jpg

[rose#1]

new rose in progress

[rose#1]

back scroll

[rose#1]

last

[Chris Baird]

Rose#1, That scroll looks good I like the more sharpely defined ridge. I'd use a backing board on the tuner drill out next time though.

[rose#1]

thanks for the advice! I usually just epoxy the break out and then sand it smooth I black laq. the peg head and scrape the binding and inlay to make the pehead jet black I love any new ideas though.

D

[krishna]

You guys are doing excelent! Mike, I can't believe that steel! what a great idea! Kerry

[Keith Newell]

Here's a top with character. Wide spacing base side and narrow spacing treble..and a little wowwie here and there...one piece Sitka top from Bruce Harvie. Im kinda curious how it will sound.
Keith Newell
http://www.newellmandolins.com

[Keith Newell]

A little better shot. The spot in the middle is a pencil mark for some referance.

[Mando Andy G]

I recently got the opportunity to play a rose mando and the #tone was awesome! The best mando I have ever played. The workmanship is excellent!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif Gotta have one.

[rose#1]

pic not so good

[rose#1]

more

[rose#1]

last

[dj9124]

The last 3 pics that Darby posted is my mando, he said it should be done in about a week and a half, can't wait!
Dave

[Jim Hilburn]

You know, I'm starting to like this varnish thing.

[amowry]

Looks beautiful Jim- what kind of varnish?

[grandmainger]

You know, I'm starting to like this varnish thing.
Man! I know what you mean. The colour is simply stunning!

[mandoJeremy]

Jim, Jim, Jim....you had just had to post that picture and make me envious didn't you? I am still thinking about a Hilburn! Beautiful job. You are the man!

[rose#1]

gettin there

[rose#1]

last

[Kent Barnes]

Harlan #2 getting closer. #It's stained, and I'm in the process of scraping the binding.

http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mando2pics/harlan2-6.jpg

http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mando2pics/harlan2-7.jpg

[Skip Kelley]

Jim, Darby, and Kent, beautiful mandolins as always! My keyboard stays wet with drool!

[Chris Baird]

Kent, #That looks great. #I'm in the same boat. Scrapin' the bindin'. #This is my first sunburst and I've found I don't like the scrapin', not one bit. #It makes me go crosseyed.

[Chris Baird]

Again after the first coat of varnish.

[Darryl Wolfe]

That's really sharp Chris...nice sunburst

[rose#1]

Lonesome River bands Jeff Parkers new Rose...

[rose#1]

another,,,

[rose#1]

more..

[rose#1]

last

[mandoJeremy]

VERY, VERY NICE Darby. I absolutely love that color and the scrollwork!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Skip Kelley]

Nice Darby!! Cool color and an awesome scroll!!!

[doanepoole]

That's a great lookin mando, Darby. Glad to see the pros are noticing your fine work!

[Jim Hilburn]

Darby and Chris. Very nice stuff.

This one is called "Reflections of the days work."

[amowry]

Ooh! Is that the varnish?

[Jim Hilburn]

In Michael Dresner's book on wood finishes, he says "you could spray on varnish, but I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would."
This photo shows why I would.

[Chris Baird]

Oh man Jim, I can't beat that but I'm gonna try. Here is the next mando in my "burst" batch.

[Chris Baird]

..

[Chris Baird]

..

[mandoJeremy]

Jim, you are KILLING me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jim Hilburn]

Well, that back on Chris' is killing me.

[mandoJeremy]

That is quite nice and purty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chris Baird]

One may have to wax philosophical but this is my latest mandolin. #Or at least some anti-mandomatter created with my #7 jointing plane. It makes great wallpaper(computer) for all you chip pushers out there.

[Kent Barnes]

It's almost done! #I couldn't wait to post pictures, so here it is so far.

http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mando2pics/harlan2-8.jpg
http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mando2pics/harlan2-9.jpg

[Stanley Cox]

What a difference a couple of days make. Is the neck more
of a vee than #1? I want to see pics of it hanging from
the chandelier.
Thanks for the tour.
Stanley

[Kent Barnes]

Thanks Stanley. #Yes, the neck is more of a 'V' than the first, but not too sharp. #My first neck was rather thick, so I wanted it different on this one.

[John Zimm]

One may have to wax philosophical but this is my latest mandolin. #Or at least some anti-mandomatter created with my #7 jointing plane. #It makes great wallpaper(computer) for all you chip pushers out there.
You could make a fine t-shirt from this. Happiness is a large pile of wood shavings.

-John.

[Jim Hilburn]

Looks like I'll finally have an instrument done in time for the next big event...Winfield.

[Jim Roberts]

That's a beauty, Jim. #Can't wait to see and play it next week! #Enjoy the drive across the fruited (dry) plains.

Jim

[mandoJeremy]

Jim, you just keep making me lust!

[ellisppi]

My first mandolin in years and not very far along yet either. It will be Ellis #70

Ellis mandolins being made again? YES.. YES.. YES !.. Good to see you back in the business Tom ! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[mandoJeremy]

Yes it is Tom. #You know it is funny that when we play the Ryman every Sunday Ricky Skaggs' daughter Molly plays with us and I always kid her about why her dad didn't send one of his Loars for me to play on the show and today I was going to ask her, after she answered that one is tuned normal and the other for "Get Up John" tuning and he has them both with him in OK, why he didn't send an Ellis for me. #Also, on one of the shows Buck spoke great of your mandos also Tom. #Good luck to you dude!

[Scotti Adams]

very fine mandos indeed....

[zeke]

Trying something new here.......

[zeke]

And the back.....

[zeke]

now the head.....

[zeke]

And now my redwood "A".....

[zeke]

And it's back....

[zeke]

Now the fingerboard detail....

[zeke]

Last but not least it's head....

[Michael Lewis]

You're getting pretty elegant there Zeke. Nice touch on the fingerboard end.

[ellisppi]

The peghead pretty much done

[zeke]

Now that's clean, Tom!

[rose#1]

rose varnish fern

[oldwave maker]

Some of the heads in Santa's workshop: Alans, ?, Bruces GOM, Rays F3, Georges, on a slab of Spruce's 1992 maple I got by paying close attention to fiddlemakers obituaries!

[Mando Medic]

Nice peghead Zeke. Bill, I knew something smelled funny. Kenc

[rose#1]

with all this talk about varnish I thought Iwould try one

[mandoJeremy]

Nice looking work Darby as usual! Hey...Varnish and a nice SCROLL!!!!!WhoooHooo!

[rose#1]

another

[rose#1]

another

[rose#1]

last one this buyer is in for a surprise he thinks h is getting Laq but I changed my mind free of charge.

[mandoryan]

Great looking mando there Darby and I like that GOM headstock there Bill. Is that a Monte Radio Flyer copy mando that it's attached to?

[jjboone101]

What a lucky buyer. Orders lacquer and get varnish! Most luthiers are charging $500-1000 more at least for varnish due to the labor time.

[zeke]

Are you spraying your varnish there, Darby? I did on my last 3 and I'm liking it.

[Scotti Adams]

Heres a couple of my #40 in the white..

[Scotti Adams]

...and the top...a final sanding and then its ready for the stain and varnish...

[grandmainger]

Aahhh Nice!
That top wood is lovely!

[Scotti Adams]

yep..I think so..you can thank Bruce Harvie..aka.. Spruce for that....I bought it from him....I believe its about a 10 year old piece of Englemann Spruce...

[grandmainger]

yep..I think so..you can thank Bruce Harvie..aka.. Spruce for that....I bought it from him....I believe its about a 10 year old piece of Englemann Spruce...
What stain/finish will you put on that?

[Scotti Adams]

..Im hoping to be close to this color...with a Steffey sized..or so .....burst and varnish..

[Scotti Adams]

..or something close to this

[grandmainger]

Fairly heavy sunburst then. Make sure the gorgeous grain is visible though! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Scotti Adams]

..I will leave that to the discretion of Ben. Im not one to worry about being able to see the wood grain...I know its there....its what comes from that top is what Im concerned about...tone and volume.

[Flowerpot]

Scotti, is that one you are building, or a BRW you've commissioned? Looks real nice...

[mandoJeremy]

It's a BRW varnished model. While am thinking about it, that Ellis headstock is PERFECT and it does involve a scroll which is also perfect!

[Scotti Adams]

Mark..I wish I could build like that...maybe one day when I get the kids raised and have more free time to myself. As Jeremy said..its my BRW varnished model in the white. Hopefully it will be in my grubby lil' hands by mid October.

[mandoJeremy]

I love the type of sunburst you chose for it Scotti. I have always liked those smaller dark sunbursts.

[Scotti Adams]

..yes..Im partial to them too..

[Flowerpot]

Looks to be a good one in the making. Mid-October, that would be pretty quick for curing varnish if those pics are recent. Whenever it is, I'm sure we will want a full report!

[Scotti Adams]

..Ben uses a UV box to help speed up the curing process.

[Kent Barnes]

Harlan #3 is underway. #So far I have just been using wood and stuff left over from the Harlan #1 and #2.
I have come to the conclusion that the desire to build (at least in my case) is not for the joy of making sawdust, but rather to try to build my next mandolin better than the previous. #I know I am my own worst critic, so my goal is the perfect mandolin, at least in my own eyes. #While #1 and #2 turned out pretty well, I look at them and see what can be improved, thus my continuing efforts. #I see pictures of the scrolls made by Mr. Hilburn, Sunburst, and others, and I know that mine can be better. #Once again, my home life will suffer as I spend countless hours out in my garage.......

http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mando3pics/harlan3-1.jpg

[mandoJeremy]

Finally! Someone else has that same scroll obsession as I do and recognizes perfection in Jim Hilburn's mandos!

[mandoJeremy]

Also, I think you are doing a great job there KayBee!

[Scotti Adams]

more of #40...whatchya think of that scroll Jeremy?

[Scotti Adams]

..the sides..

[mandoJeremy]

I think that is very, very nice Scotti. That looks like it is going to be one killer mando! I am excited for you.

[Scotti Adams]

hell..Im excited that your excited....I dayam near wet myself every time I look at it. Its been stained now. The binding is being scraped today..I hope to get some pics of it after the stain job. Ironically this thing is going to look like a Steffey model....not intentional..just kinda ended up lookin that way....the Gil TP should look chic on there.

[Izaac Walton]

Here's a picture of BRW #42 (I think that's the #). It will also have a staining much like Scotti's, but with a lacquer finish. This work has already been finished and it is drying right now. Ready for the final touches. This will have the "2-point" fingerboard extension as shown. Also will have the new "foliage" inlay on headstock. I'll post pictures of this when it arrives. Supposed to be shipped this Wednesday, 9/29, from Ohio to Indiana. I guess there's a chance I may get it on Friday! Getting the Depends ready! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[amowry]

I don't think I've posted anything here before, but here's some quick shots of work in progress, a custom one that will have a blonde finish. Sorry about the poor lighting and that ugly green foam.

[amowry]

One more...

[mandoJeremy]

There is a great looking scroll. Great job Andrew!

[amowry]

Thanks Jeremy. I still have a long way to go, but it's fun to see some improvement with each one.

[John Zimm]

Wow, that scroll is superb. I really envy your talents. Great work. It is a pleasure to come here and see what you all are building. Thanks for sharing everybody.

-John.

[espresso]

Hi everybody, sorry to interrupt such a beautiful parade of exqusit work and elegant ideas. My work is, hm, a bit rough at the moment, but I watch and learn from you fine builders.
20 years ago I made two arch top guitars, partly inspired by Mr Siminoff's first book on making a mandolin. Now I celebrate his second book on the subject by making an octave mandola (46 cm scale, about 18 in.) The instrument will be used in a mandolin orchestra here in Sweden. Just give me a year to complete the work ;-).
Anyone out there who knows where to find a plan of an H5/H4 mandola? Yes, I know the difference in size and tuning, but I'm looking for my next project. The pic shows rim for present OM project and a steel ruler 12". Background is my old interpretation of Gibson's Style O, slightly larger and extremely #penetrant in a jazz band.
Thanks,
Mikael in Sweden

[rose#1]

i m thinking about a BCS (bear claw sitka)

[Darryl Wolfe]

Very cool work expresso

[Kent Barnes]

I've decided to do Harlan #3 as a side-bound. #Everyone recognize this "job"??

http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mando3pics/harlan3-2.jpg

[mandoJeremy]

Looks like Charlie's job of restoring Mon's Loar!

[Stanley Cox]

Kay Bee,
Which is easier, carving maple backs or scrapeing binding?
Stanley http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[Jim Hilburn]

Here's a new one.

[Darryl Wolfe]

Jim, I really like your "Fern" interpretation. The binding work is impeccable too. Have a good day.

[ShaneJ]

Jim, your ferns are my favorite. I like the MOP ring around the abalone in the middle. The angle of your logo split between flat and the angle of the left side of the peghead just seems right too. Great work!

[oldwave maker]

We'll be home for Christmas........

[Jim Hilburn]

How do you get them to stand up like that?

[Dfyngravity]

haha yea that looks pretty cool. i think they are hanging but the photo is upside down?

[mandoJeremy]

I think you are right there gravity man....and if there is anyone that knows how to hang upside down it would be a guy named Dfyngravity!

[Flowerpot]

I've heard of inflating a balloon inside the body to keep out overspray... does this new technique use helium?

[Chris Baird]

Are those UV bulbs I see in that anti-gravity booth?

[oldwave maker]

While Oblivione, NM is famous for its intense gravitational abberations and song vortexes so strong even bass players can channel televangelist parody tunes, that photo was actually flipped 180 degrees. This one was not, its Alan's engelmann/birdseye/ironwood lefty, ready to finish sand and get golden.
Chris- those bulbs are full spectrum, seem to help a little bit in the winter, tho my neighbors think I'm producing something besides sinsehumor!

[Chris Baird]

Bill, #I've got one coming along alot like yours although operations around here have been held up on account of a new baby girl. #But, oh what a fine diversion.

[Chris Baird]

Birdseye is in fashion.

[Magnus Geijer]

Oooh, that's pretty, Chris. And congratulations!

/Magnus

[ab4usa]

WOW Bill, I would be really envious of the owner except it's going to be me! Now I reallkly can't wait. Thanks for posting this.

[rose#1]

Chris it is a killer looking A... here is the last Rose to go out.

[rose#1]

again

[dasspunk]

Darby, that one is purty with a capital T*! Nice job...


* actual size of T may vary

[rose#1]

and the start of Wayfaringstrangers fir top

[oldwave maker]

Last Christmas sub-litter basking in the shade of the crumbling adobe walls of historic Fort Stinkindesert, in Oldwave Hollow, ready for final sanding. GOM-o-rama.

[Jim Hilburn]

Well, I don't have 6-8 going at once like some people, (BB)but I'm doing 2 at once anyway.
I got through one of the tough parts... dovetails. The F has the last of my LMI trussrods and the A has the first of the smaller,lighter ones made by Larry, the bro-in-law.

[ShaneJ]

Jim, that's a noticably smaller truss rod slot. Have you compared weights from each?

[wtaylor]

NM is famous for its intense gravitational abberations ...

It appears obvious, that without informing anyone, Bill has moved from New Mexico to Australia ...

[Stanley Cox]

OK, Folks gather round,After much thinking, and looking at several building sites, I decided I would build a kit mando
from Stew-Mac. I noticied that a lot of you builders used your name to put on the peg head, and others used exotic names. So it seems that in order to build you have to have a name. More thinking (now I have a headache) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #I finally came up with a name and slogan. Are you ready?
The name of my mandolin is "STORM" and my slogan I have been using already is "Pick up a Storm". Here are some pics
of my meager attempt.

[Stanley Cox]

Here is the back, nearly graduated.

[Stanley Cox]

Top back, sides and neck waiting for next step.