Mandolins in progress

[markishandsome]

I always find I get way more work done if I can devote a whole day or weekend than an equivalent time broken up over the rest of the week (a few hours here and there). But Kent is just out of control!

[labraid]

vacuum art...

http://www.bfolk.com/P1010004.jpg

oh, and mandos!

http://www.bfolk.com/ip.jpg

[billhay4]

Now, Brian,
I know you just innocently posted that picture of three in progress along with the (very nice) vacuum art picture. And I know you just innocently expected all of us to say "how nice" and move on. But NOT ME.
What is that bottom instrument? More pictures please. It's quite a show stopper. Heck they're all show stoppers as all your instruments are.
Bill

[Rob Zamites]

Just wanted to point out that the top instrument is Brian's interpretation of my dream instrument, a 21.8" scale cittern. Walnut back and sides with a red violin varnished spruce top. He's worked with me on an almost daily basis to ensure what he creates matches the vision and sound that I want in my instrument. A true gentleman and craftsman of the highest caliber.

[jasona]

What is that bottom instrument? More pictures please. It's quite a show stopper.
Obviously, its a "paddle-head" http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Very nice work, as per usual!

[Darryl Wolfe]

I started this thread, I'm glad to finally add something again. #Snakehead A-2 No. 73922 as pictured on some auction site in October 2004. #Top brush painted, neck broken (with screws and nails intact), binding missing, seams coming apart, back warped

[Darryl Wolfe]

On the left is 73922 last night, making noise for the first time in decades, 99 percent done. #I know I strayed from "true-to-form" restoration, but it's going to be my player. #As in "Not for Sale"

[Darryl Wolfe]

another angle

[Darryl Wolfe]

Back (on the left) #I refinish the top and one side in shellac. #I was able to salvage the original finish on the other side, the back and the peghead. #Light shellac overspray on original finish for consistency. #Truss rod necks are no fun to finish breaking into two repairable pieces.

[Darryl Wolfe]

Gail, your label and mine are next. #Note 73922 is 70 numbers away from my F5 (73992). #They make a nice pair. #The pickguard is from the other snake which is a 1925 model. #The new one for 73922 is drying, but has already been fitted to it.

[Darryl Wolfe]

Once I realized the mando would never be a perfect restoration, I simply decided to modify an F5 fingerboard that I had ready. #I just peeled the binding back, shortened and narrowed the "florida" and glued the binding back. #That's why it is slightly different than an A4 fingerboard. #Note that it was one of those Stew-Mac blanks with the florida not cut in the right place. #So it was never going to be used anyway. #This made a good home for an otherwise perfectly good board.

[Darryl Wolfe]

Repairman note. #Get the fingerboard surface and fingerboard right before you refinish. #I leveled this up Saturday to install the board. #When you sand, the glue surface on the neck gets narrower and the glue surface on the body gets wider. #This picture was in progress, about half way to perfectly level # When building a new mandolin, this is not a problem, repair is a different story http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Hans]

Great work Darryl, feels good to get one playing again doesn't it?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Gail Hester]

Looks great Darryl. I'm looking forward to my label and pickguards. Ya got any twenties wiggle end tuners? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Darryl Wolfe]

Looks great Darryl. #I'm looking forward to my label and pickguards. #Ya got any twenties wiggle end tuners? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
yep, email me. I'll have your stuff ready by the weekend, provided I get a package back from Jamie W

[mandolooter]

Nice work Darryl...I like the look of that florida board on there...sweet!

[David Newton]

I'm finishing up one of my "New Navy" flat tops in Black Walnut, I love this wood. It should be playing this weekend, or next.

[JEStanek]

Looks sweet, Dave. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Jamie

[David Newton]

Here's a look at the whole banana.

[Stanley Cox]

Hey Dave, Good looking "bannana", how about a close up of that peg head? What part of Tejas are you in? I am in the Denton area.
Stanley http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[David Newton]

The head plate is a little IRW cut-off from a 00-sized guitar I'm making. It is chocolate brown, the walnut isn't as brown, more grey-brown.
I'm in Beaumont.

[evanreilly]

Here is a good pic of my forthcoming next mandolin.

[evanreilly]

Inside

[evanreilly]

The back.

[JimRichter]

Evan, you lucky dog. How long have you been on Lynn's list?

Jim

[evanreilly]

Seems like forever!!

[Darryl Wolfe]

Here's one more of 73922. #I obviously got the finish too dark, but I kinda like it. #It looks black in low light. #I think I'll call the color "Tortoise" instead of Sheraton Brown. #It now has the repro guard and a new bridge top.

[mandopete]

Inside
Canadian spruce?

Keep posting pictues as Lynn goes along!

[evanreilly]

Carpathian Spruce.

[Don Grieser]

EVAN!! Let me know if you need any help breaking that one in! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Deaf David]

Dang, now I've drooled all over my keyboard.

[oldwave maker]

Finally scraping binding on Peters F4, thanks again Spruce for the ancient tone farwood!

[oldwave maker]

Richards mandola almost ready for blackface and singlemalt sides/back/neck staining, I like these new stewmac elite tuners with the black buttons:

[David Newton]

I finished up the "New Navy" this last weekend, I'm breaking it in with Black Diamond heavies, but change to mediums soon. Anyone with knowledge of what strings go good with flat-top mandos chime right in. I may try Gibson Sam Bush's next.

[David Newton]

Figured Walnut, mmmmm.

[Steve Cantrell]

That's a fine-looking mandolin, Dave.

[Jim Hilburn]

Here's the octave so far.

[Jim Hilburn]

one more.

[Darren Kern]

Darryl that finish job looks beautiful, and I think the fingerboard is a nice touch. Very unique.

[labraid]

Jim, elegant!

mine:

[Antlurz]

NIfty little point there, Brian! I like it! Not only the point, all of it!

Ron

[Skip Kelley]

Nice mandolin Brian! How about a few more pictures. I like your cabinet in the background too!

[Mandoborg]

Brian, georgous as usual !! I wish more people would think outside the box the way you do ! Inspiring work to say the least !

Jim Combra

[Kent Barnes]

Progress so far on Harlan # 4 I'm building for Bobby Brite of the Clear River Bluegrass Band. It's my first mandolin for sale!!

http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mando4pics/peghead2.JPG

http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mando4pics/white3.JPGhttp://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mando4pics/whiteback2.JPG

[David Newton]

Kent, I hope you haven't gotten the money already. I lose all motivation if someone pays me up front. I had a boss who always would sing
"I work for pay, and not for fun,
I wants my money, when the work is done"
Nice mandolin...

[labraid]

Kent, nice FB extension. (Not to mention the all-wood stand? (pics!))
(the others, thanks! Your comments keep me goin'!)

[Mandobob5]

Kent, the mandolin is coming out to be exactly as I knew it would. Fantastic! I am looking forward to playing it. Actually, I can hardly wait. That fingerboard extension sets off the front; really catches the eye. I am very proud to be the future owner of HARLAN #4.

[Kent Barnes]

Thanks Brian. The stand is something I made a few years ago out of some scrap pine. #Here's a picture of that one and another made of maple. #The maple one has a folding back leg (hinged where it joins the stand at the top).

http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mando4pics/mandostands.JPG

[Rob Zamites]

Here's my walnut cittern by Brian Dean, nearing completion. 21.8" scale length, going with the extra high course. This is the second of Brian's "Phi" based instruments. I can't wait to play this beauty!

-Rob

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i177/probrewer/41ip18.jpg

[otterly2k]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

Ni.i.i...i...i...ce.

[JEStanek]

Bard worthy!

Jamie

[K3NTUCKI8oy]

Fine stands Kent! what news on your latest mandolin?

[Kent Barnes]

Here's a shot of the peghead, all filled and sanded.

The ebony overlay is very 'streaky'. #Anyone have suggestions on how to "blacken" it? #I have some black stain, but was concerned about what that might do to the binding.


http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mando4pics/peghead5.JPG

[Gibson A5]

I think the ebony will look great with the finish on it as is unless you just have to have that pure black wood look. If so, I guess you could tape up the binding but that never seems to work 100%, or you could put some finish just on the binding, blacken the head and sand the whole works down. I'm sure others will have better ideas. I just think if it were mine, I'd leave it. With the strings, tuner pegs and rings, it would look stunning that way. Just another 2cents worth.
Bill P.

[Antlurz]

Kent...
I agree totally with Bill. The whole thing will darken with finish, but the grain that shows is very unique and I'd let it shine through!

Cookie cutter instruments get boring after a while, and a bit of originality is a nice change of pace.

Ron

[David Newton]

Me three! I think that ebony will look great under finish. It's time to appreciate wood the way it is given to us. That doesn't mean our mandolins should look like logs

[ShaneJ]

Kent, I like the look of it as-is too. VERY nice!

Shane

[DryBones]

if the fretboard had the same look that would be TOO cool! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[G. Fisher]

I also think it looks nicer with the flame showing.

[JEStanek]

Add me to the list of those who appreciate the grain showing through.

Jamie

[Stanley Cox]

Kent,All is looking good. Have you started binding the body yet? New sander working?
Dave in Tejas, Great looking New Navy. I really like that peg head it looks great.
SJennings, Hello, I can send back the Abilene dust we got a couple of weeks ago.
Everyone's work on this page is great. I might be forced to "Gather A "STORM".
Stanley

[ShaneJ]

Thanks for the offer, Stanley, but we got plenty to replace what we lost. We got ours from Big Spring and Midland. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Hans]

I wouldn't stain it...ebony is too exotic of a wood to cover with black stain. I mean, after all, if you wanted to stain it, should have used pear wood. #That would have been PC and "Loar spec"! # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Darryl Wolfe]

This will be going out today for Ms. Hester. #It looks a bit weird because it's an H5 mandola guard.

[Skip Kelley]

Kent, I would leave the ebony as is. I think it looks great!

Darryl, Nice pickguard!

[David Newton]

Thanks for the kudos Stanley, I played the prototype (mahogany) New Navy Saturday nite at a jam, and the guy on the amplified guitar next to me had to keep saying "not so loud"...
Darryl, is that a reconditioned old guard, or new?

[Darryl Wolfe]

It's one of my repro Loar H5 guards. #The binding is yellow ivoroid, not white like it appears

It's for this one of Ms Hesters. #I couldn't find her thread with the front pic

[Darryl Wolfe]

Here it is

http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin....mandola (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=40584;hl=h5+mandola)

[Gail Hester]

Darryl, the mandola guard looks incredible and needless to say I'm very excited to get my "grab bag" in the mail.

[Darryl Wolfe]

Here is a picture that shows what a pain in the xxx some of these little parts are to make correctly

[Darryl Wolfe]

another

[Kent Barnes]

I don't know about y'all, but this is the stage when I start getting excited about the mandolin I'm working on!!

http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mando4pics/topbound1.jpg

http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mando4pics/backbound1.JPG

[Stanley Cox]

It looks like you are getting the hang of binding the top and back. That is great looking and if you don't mind me saying so, "the best you have done so far". You will have to call it the Spring Break binding. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I hope to see it soon.
Stanley

[JEStanek]

Lookin fine!

Jamie

[Skip Kelley]

Kent, That mandolin looks fantastic! What kind of top is that? I am looking forward to the finished pictures! Nice job and clean lines!

[Daniel1975]

Dave, that Navy is sweet lookin'

Kent, Awesome work. I'm looking forward to watching this one.

Darryl, that does look like a tortoise finish. I like it.


I'm constantly amazed at how nice the work is that shows up here regularly. Thanks for the pictures everyone.

[Kent Barnes]

In the home stretch now!!


http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mando4pics/whitefront1.JPG http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mando4pics/whiteback3.JPG

[amowry]

Looks great, Kent.

Here are my next five, ready for binding. Two lefties in this batch!

[Hans]

Yikes Andrew! I can't even bind a top and back at the same time let alone 5 complete boxes. You must really suffer from eye fatigue after a chore like that!

[Kent Barnes]

WOW!! My fingers are sore just looking at that picture!!

[Mandoborg]

Kent, your on to something there...... Nice work !

Andrew: DAMN YOU ! #:O)~ #I built one left handed a few years ago and had to label every piece of wood to constantly remind me it was a lefty ! oh....did i say #DAMN YOU ??! #If you weren't such a nice guy i'd release the freakin hounds ! Inspiring work.....

Question, does the maple side inside the top cutaway on that 2-point extend to the dovetail ? I imagine it doeas but it's tough to tell from the picture, i REALLY like that body style ....trade you a Grand Artist pattern for it ? #< Laughin >

Jim Combra

[oldwave maker]

Dang! I get dizzy just lookin at andrews lefty f5~~~~~~you boys and girls even make me wanna buy a mannalin!
might as well, since I cant keep any of these, all ovals except the octomelon, whose seedholes are ovals pinched on one end. thanks to spruce and jim for this swell farwood!

[Brad Weiss]

Looks great, Kent.

Here are my next five, ready for binding. Two lefties in this batch!
Alright Andrew! Looks like your first oval hole - and a tribute to Jethro to boot!

Beautiful, as ever...

[amowry]

Yikes Andrew! I can't even bind a top and back at the same time let alone 5 complete boxes. You must really suffer from eye fatigue after a chore like that!
Hey, maybe that's why my prescription is -8.5!


Bill, those colors are beautiful, and some nice wood in there.

Jim, yep, the maple goes all the way to the dovetail, though it is hard to tell. It's basically just the Nugget shape that I ripped off (I figured if Bill can do it I can too ;)

Brad, the Jethro is actually a flat top, so sort of a hybrid. Something a little different for me.

[Mandoborg]

That's just a great body style..... It was a silly question actually , you couldn't make a Blonde without it extending the full length. Just a nice curvy piece there ! I'm going to have to make one of these .

Mr Bussman: #L>R: #wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, Yummy !

[JEStanek]

To each and everyone of you, Kent, Bill , and Andrew... Great looking stuff. Kent, that fern looks sweet. Andrew, you raised the bar and Bill lives up to his standard. This is a great page to have three builders showing off some fine mandolins.

Jamie

[Kent Barnes]

It's amazing how much you can get done when you have uninterupted time to work on things!! #The buyer wanted a dark burst on this one.

http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mando4pics/scrapedfront.JPG http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mando4pics/scrapedback.JPG

[Narayan Kersak]

Hey Andrew,

You can put that two point flat top in the forefront next time. I'm sure it won't mind. ; )

Ryan Kurczak

PS- Since I see the top on, does that mean the pickup has also been installed?

[Stephanie Reiser]

Kent, very very nice work, and I love the stain. Can't wait to see the finish on it.

[Darryl Wolfe]

Nice 2-point styling Andrew

[MikeB]

Kent, that is my idea of a nice sunburst! Very understated, beautiful.... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[labraid]

Kent, dude, yer smokin'.
BTW, I'm stealing your aesthetic while you sleep tonight.

Here's my funky cytole. Ok, some folks had asked just what's the deal.
The deal is the first "diagonal" hole ever, far's I ken. It's a side port melded into a fronty bassy-side thingy. All made by hobbits, folks, the first ever in captivity.
I bade them remove the red peghead veneer they'd put on earlier in favour of this wonderful walnut rot taken from their living room wall. Can't really see, but it's triple bound there.

[Antlurz]

Brian...

Methinks it reminds me of a medieval dragon hatchling.

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I'd love to see how you finish it up. Might prove very interesting to another nonconformist affectionado such as myself.

Ron

[Antlurz]

And yes, Kent's sunburst is world class.

Ron

[Hans]

Kent, a true vignette...beautiful!

[Stanley Cox]

"WOW" Kent, What size "mandoline" cap does it take now? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Am I gonna get to see 4 before the 15th?

Stanley http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[David Newton]

BD, I'm glad to see that you aren't giving in to convention.

[Jim Hilburn]

After spending 2 weeks on ordered mandolins I got back to the octave and got the back on. On the home stretch now.

[tortispik]

Jim Hilburn,
WOW

[Kent Barnes]

Here's the drying station for my mandolins after spraying lacquer. #My wife LOVES this!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mando4pics/drying1.JPG

[Ken]

My drying station is just like that!
Ken

[cooper4205]

here are pics i took yesterday of a couple of Will Parson's latest, here is a Varnish Fern F5 (and a flat top)

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/wesb4217/VarnishFlattop1.jpg

[cooper4205]

here's the back and headstock; the burst blends much better in real life, i need a better camera. it's definitely not as brightly colored as it looks here

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/wesb4217/VarnishBack1.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/wesb4217/VarnishHdstck1.jpg

[cooper4205]

and here's the next one, in the white

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/wesb4217/WhiteScroll1.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/wesb4217/WhiteBack1-1.jpg

[ShaneJ]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Kent, I had an old Stella guitar and/or a mandolin hanging on my rack like that off and on for a month a while back. (My wife calls my rack a chandelier for some reason?) I think she even had the same little berry things stuck in ours too. Kinda got in my way. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[labraid]

Thanks, Dave.
Here's a (10th to) 12th fret marker I just got off the laser cutter... I lays 'er down an' then I cuts 'er! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Loren Bailey]

Is that a five string fiddle in the background of the first pic of Will's shop?
Or do I really, really need to make that appointment with the eye doc?

Loren

[Mark Walker]

I only see four strings - but that could also be because of my eyes! (Or lack thereof!) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[Bill Snyder]

Sure looks to have three tuning pegs on the side visible in the photograph which would suggest a five string fiddle.

[Sitka]

I'm with Bill.

Micah

[Bill Snyder]

Here's the pegbox enlarged a bit.

[Loren Bailey]

yep, I saw the 3 pegs on one side and a string just left of the fingerboard almost below it.

Loren

[cooper4205]

i'm going by there today so i will get to the bottom of this! right now, i'm going with Loren and Bill

[Jim Hilburn]

Here's the tailpiece for the octave.

[Stanley Cox]

Hey Cooper, In the " and next one in the white" first pic., what kind of wood is the cross piece and finger board extender? I looks neat now but any pics of it finished?

Stanley http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[evanreilly]

Here are a few pix of my next mandolin, currently in production.
The Front.

[evanreilly]

The Back.

[evanreilly]

One more.

[Chris Biorkman]

Oh, the Dude... Really nice, although I'm burning with envy now.

[Mark Walker]

Evan - that's a SWEET grain on the back of that beauty! I bet it'll look great when you get it stained and finished! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[labraid]

Jim, is that a modified Gibson-style sliding tailpiece? Curious where the metal bits came from... Nice handiwork.

[Jim Hilburn]

Yeah, I had one sitting around so I sawed off the outside edges of the main plate and then bend that lip at the front into a 90 and routed a slot on the underside for that to go in. Since this pic I've epoxied in that part and superglued the flat part plus put in the screws in the hope of keeping it from becoming a slingshot.
I probably should have asked how others have done this.

[evanreilly]

Here is a picture of an A-5, all finished, with the same wood as on the back and sides of my instrument.
The back on the F-5 is one piece.
I saw this pic and kinda went 'I want it!'
Understandable!

[oldwave maker]

half the fun of buffing a blackface is taking the weird pics afterward!

[Ted Eschliman]

What's cool is if you mess with the contrast in Bill Bussmann's picture... look REALLY close, you'll get to the root of why many of us think his work is truly "inspired."

[MikeEdgerton]

That's really good. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[jasona]

What's cool is if you mess with the contrast in Bill Bussmann's picture... look REALLY close, you'll get to the root of why many of us think his work is truly "inspired."
...or touched in the head. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[pjlama]

I've met Bill and may be inclined to go with the latter http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[oldwave maker]

Well, at least my dog loved me, till it died, and one time my wife looked deeply into my eyes and told me I was "within the range of normalcy"!
Thanks for the desktop pic Ted!

[jerchap]

I am not a builder, but I had an octave mandolin made for me by Daunt Lee in Newfoundland. It is a wonderful, beautiful instrument with a great voice and easy to play, I really like it. He sent me pics along the way of each step in the construction - very cool. # #I posted them on the web, the link is at http://www.mandolindy.com/jerrysoctave

[Ted Eschliman]

Thanks for the desktop pic Ted!
My pleasure, Bill. Thanks for being a good sport.

Picture of David Grisman on your desktop, now? I get confused, some have brought up the profound visual similarities, but "Dawg" backwards is merely "Gwad."

[Steve Hinde]

A couple from my shop.
Brazilian A
Quilted flat back A and mandola pair.

[Steve Hinde]

The other ones.

[Steve Hinde]

Hangin around, waiting for me.

[Steve Hinde]

The 3 hole dola

[Steve Hinde]

Last one. Finger boards finger boards finger boards.....

Steve

[Gibson A5]

Lucky #7 Lefty well on it's way.
Bill P.

[Gibson A5]

Another
Bill P.

[Gibson A5]

Another
Bill P.

[Gibson A5]

Another
Bill P.

[Gibson A5]

Another
Bill P.

[Gibson A5]

Another
Bill P.

[Gibson A5]

Another
Bill P.

[Gibson A5]

Last for now.
Bill P.

[Jim Hilburn]

I really should wait till I have Fridays coats on because it will be smoother than these first coats, but this isn't too bad.
I'm going to keep this one and I'm trying to ram-rod it through so I can get back to making some $.

[Lane Pryce]

Jim nice back side. Lp

[Michael Lewis]

New crop nearly ready for finish.

[JEStanek]

Love those ff holes, Michael. Can't wait to see the finished instruments.

Jamie

[tortispik]

Really nice Michael,especially the mandola with the "Monte" hook.Your talents never end.
Rob

[amowry]

Wow, is that an octave on the right? That's a great design.

Here's an inlay I did this week. New for me, but child's play compared to Michael's headstocks.

[Hans]

As "production" as I'll ever get. Routed tops yesterday, so cleaning the shop today, then it's down to one at a time. Remarkable how much dust and chips routing 7 tops can make. Let's see, Tim's 3 point, M23V for Bogle, a M21V, 2 F5C's (Lloyds), F4C, and an Eclipse.

[Jim Hilburn]

Hans, that's a lot of production.

[Lane Pryce]

Andrew the peghead looks very nice. Is that a pseudo fern inlay? Lp

[first string]

You're causing me some serious pain here Andrew. That is really gorgeous. Very original, and yet it somehow harkens back to some of the classic designs.

[first string]

JLP beet me to it. My exact thoughts were, "like a fern, and yet not like a fern."

[amowry]

Yes, I sat down to drawn a fern, but it ended up more vine-like. I think I was influenced by the old Weymann inlays.

[Hans]

Jim, I've always figured the necks and ribs to be the "dogwork". I still have 5 pegheads to inlay while glue dries. I'm sure you will agree the top/backs are the important and time consuming part (aside from inlay, binding and finishing a'course). Necks and ribs also lend themselves more to production techniques than graduating a top or back.

[Jim Hilburn]

This was nearly 2 months ago. The most stuff I've ever had going at once. A couple of the archtop blanks there were turned into molds for future octaves. Dont miss the plexiglass f-hole template on the far right like I did when I took the photo. I also forgot to bring out the fingerboards which were all slotted and bound but not fretted.
I just did the final lacquer coat on the octave today and expect to string it up in 2 weeks. Both the A and F have f-holes and the A has the top on the rim. The A neck is fit to the body and the peghead binding and inlay are done. The F unfortunately hasn't progressed all that much.

[mandopete]

Nice kindling!

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Jim Hilburn]

Here's what some of that kindling looks like today.
But Pete, it's best not to mention kindling around Hans.

[Stephanie Reiser]

Another F. This box is in the midst of binding at the moment. The pine table top has hairspray as a finish, and I even thought briefly of trying it as a mandolin finish. So I stained a scrap of curly maple with some Lady Clairol and put 5 coats of hairspray on it. After it dried I placed the scrap wood in the bathroom to see how it would react to humidity. Not very well. So it's back to traditional (for me) shellac.

[Mark Franzke]

Great work, everyone! It was worth a try with the Lady Clairol, Stephanie. I've seen some pretty big hair stand up impervious to weather conditions, so you'd think it would be almost like lacquer.

[Hans]

Kindling...? Not to worry, summer has reached Minnesota. Hit 70 yesterday.
Interesting, looking at the different approaches to building, Jim. I like to get several (or more this time) necks and ribs done and ready for assembly. Then I'll go for getting one done in the white before starting another. These will keep me going for the rest of the year.
Good lookin' F there Stephanie, I like the grain on that top!

[Stephanie Reiser]

Thank you, Hans.
Same top, now bound, along with the neck-to-be.
Which, incidently, is going to pay a visit downstairs to Mr. Bandsaw today. All maple (sides, back, and neck) came from Bruce Harvie. The Englemann: I honestly can't recall from whom I received that board from. After the back is finished being bound I will show the magnificent figure it possesses.
Thanks.

[red7flag]

Andrew that is a beautiful job. I have attached the headstock of my F4 that takes a somewhat similar approach.
Tony

[MANNDOLINS]

Here's my take on a Monte. One of the few acoustics that I've been able to get out lately.

[MANNDOLINS]

Quilty backside

[MANNDOLINS]

Just finished this one also. These are what's keeping me busy.

[jasona]

Jon, I just wanted to say how great I think your Les Paul-like solid body emandos look. Both this one and the one in the classifieds recently are awesome!

[Rick Jones]

Here are a couple I began about three years ago, but got sidetracked along the way. Took an Early Retirement offer from FoMoCo effective March 1, so have been back at the bench. Have made much progress since this shot was taken; rear peghead veneer is drying on one neck right now, and binding on a fingerboard drying also. Sure feels good to be back at it again!

http://home.comcast.net/~rajones19/images/bound_mandos.jpg

[Bill Snyder]

Rick what kind of neck joint are you using on those?

[Rick Jones]

Bill -

Originally, I was going to do a dovetail - I'm basing most of this project on Benedetto's archtop guitar book, which is my next project. Then I decided to weasel out and bolt it on; then I spent an afternoon with Mike Kemnitzer (Nugget), and he convinced me to go with the dovetail. I built a pair of router fixtures - one for the body mortise, one for the neck tenon. Mortises are cut in the body, and neck tenons have been routed as well; I'll post more photos later.

[Magnus Geijer]

#4 coming slowly along. This one I'm planning to turn into a four-stringer, hence the shape of the headstock. The backdrop is a guitar I'm building for my sister's 30th birthday which is in about three weeks. Somehow I'm doubting that it'll get done in time...

/Magnus

[Jim Hilburn]

I think this one might hold together.

[Gibson A5]

Great fit Jim. If you don't use glue, you could make a travel mando out of it by just poping off the neck and putting both pieces in your back pack when you go hiking!
Again, great work.
Bill P.

[Rick Jones]

Wow, that's a nice tight joint. You cut that with a dull chisel, right? Isn't there supposed to be room for a little glue? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[mandomick]

It's like they were made for each other. My machine shop teacher would constantly talk about the importance of taking pride in your workmanship. A perfect example Jim.

[Michael Lewis]

Hey Jim, how are you cutting those joints? Looks realy pretty.

[Jim Hilburn]

Thanks, Michael.
I've had the good fortune of having Mike Kemnitzer teach me how to do dovetails...twice. First in about 1980 when he was still here in Colorado and again last year at the Symposium. He hasn't changed a thing since then other than cutting the body with a router fixture. However, in that time I've streamlined what he showed me and approach it with the same concept but some different ways of doing things.
I posted some photo's a while back that are still available, but since then I got a new bandsaw with a table that tilts both ways and thats how I get the taper. I cut it all out on the bandsaw and do a little chisel work and a lot of rasp and riffler work. I have a plexi centerline guage and use carbon paper to find the contact points.
The idea is to have the neck sit high in the taper after the initial cuts and slowly remove wood till it seats, correcting for center and tightness as you go. A good initial layout is the key.

[evanreilly]

Here is a pic of the one-piece back on my next acquisition.

[evanreilly]

And the top:

[f5loar]

That shows the quality and fine workmanship of an authentic hand-made Loar style Dude near completion!
I just saw a 2 week old Dude at MerleFest yesterday.
The Dude must be turning them out like turnips.

[mandomick]

Keep the pictures of the progress coming, I can't wait to see it done.

[Skip Kelley]

Jim, That is the finest dovetail joint I have ever seen!
Awesome job!!

[carleshicks]

Dude sure does a beautiful job with his sunburst.

[Lynn Dudenbostel]

Thanks Carles..... but the color is pretty much washed out by the time the image has been "jpg'd" a few times. It's a lot more brilliant than it appears in the photos. These were just some quick shots.
Lynn

[Lane Pryce]

Hey Lynn. I got a pick at Rich's new Dude at MerleFest. Very impressive. It really had a "substantial presence" at one of the jams. I know Rich has to be extremely pleased. Lp

[Jim Hilburn]

This is the first shot I took of that dovetail, before I trimmed the riser flush to the fingerboard.
The pencil lines are the 14th fret projections that were used in the original layout. It's actually more closely aligned tha the picture looks because the shot isn't taken directly overhead.
To get the layout I draw the nose on a piece of card stock with the 14th and centerline drawn on it.Then I lay the fingerboard on where it's supposed to be and draw it on the paper. Then add the dovetail and cut it out with an Exacto and you have a template for both the body and neck.
I didn't post this shot the first time because I thought it looked like it wasn't a good fit even though that's because of shadowing and carbon paper residue.

[testore]

Sorry if this isn't a mandolin but Strad made mandolins. It's a stretch I know. This is after the first and only coat of ground varnish.

[testore]

It's going to be antiqued like crazy,(disstressed)so the word working has been rounded off and softened.It's an early Guarneri model.

[austin]

Nice grain texture on the top, Gary. I like it.

[oldwave maker]

Gary- delicious! got a scroll shot?
3 strung in the white for the next staining group. Stopped by the Gibson factory last month to personally thank Big Joe for not making ovalholes......

[Bill Snyder]

Bill is the bridge on the mandolin on the left side similar in design to Red Henry's bridges?

[Bing Cullen]

how does one post a picture?

[Pete Braccio]

Hey Bing,

Take a look at this thread (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=23;t=13102) for instructions.

Pete

P.S. Do you know that you are the 10,000th member here?

[Gail Hester]

While you guys are having all the fun, I'm I'm carving retrofit tops and creating lots of very old dust scrapping/sanding some unidentifiable finish off of this old snakehead. It's a dirty job but someone has to do it. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Jim Hilburn]

That's a great shot of how they re-enforced the necks in the teens. The maple you see on the neck actually is inlayed in the neck with a v shape. But I'd never seen that re-enforcement in the neck block before.

[Jim Hilburn]

OK, now I get it. I'm looking at the fingerboard riser. Didn't get the dimension in mind on the first look.

[sgarrity]

Those Old Wave F4's look awesome. Definitely on my MAS list.

Shaun

[Hans]

Latest incantation of the Eclipse. I've laminated two pieces of tortoise for the pickguard and will try to scallop it the same way my ebony pickguards are made.

[cooper4205]

i like the design of the eclipse more and more everytime i see it. good stuff, Hans

[Hans]

Close-up of scroll roughed out. This one will be red like the last one.

[Hans]

Well Shayne, I'm a strict traditionalist myself, but I do like breaking out of the box sometimes. Building Loar copies can get rather (dare I say it) boring, and building something like the Eclipse is a refreshing break from the tedium.
Tonewise, it sounds like an F model. I have built all of them with Italian spruce so far, varying the back material (hard and soft maples, and pink ivory), but the temptation to use red spruce/red maple and make a Loar sounding Eclipse is powerful. So far I have resisted because well, it's not a Loar copy. this one will have the Italian spruce top and sugar maple back. I expect the tone to be just like the last one, that is sharper, more percussive from the use of the sugar maple (think Gilchrist), but a bit richer and with the piercing trebles of Italian spruce as compared to the fundemental tone of red spruce.
Maybe next time I'll build a red spruce Eclipse for techno-grass pickers! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[MikeB]

Somehow, the phrase, "roughed out" does not seem appropriate for anything I see on that mandolin! (Although I know what you meant--it's not finished.) Your take on the scroll, Hans, is as good as Monty's, as far as I'm concerned.....WOW!!

PINK IVORY?!? For the whole back, or just the binding? And entire pink ivory mando (except top) would be something to behold!

More fantastic work, Hans!!! Out of this world!

[billhay4]

Beautiful design work.
The workmanship is impeccable as usual.
Bill

[Hans]

Behold! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[squirrelabama]

Very nice indeed Hans. Love seeing new designs. -Geoff:O

[MikeB]

WHOA!!!! That one got past the 'roughed out' stage pretty quick, Hans! Is this the only pink ivory mandolin in the world?!? I've never heard of one before (I know Paul H either has, or built a PI guitar.)

WOWIEWOWIEWOWIE!!!! I predict that this mandolin will someday be in the Holy Grail Society of Mandolins (if there were such a thing).

Could we have some more photos, pretty please?!? This thing knocks me OUT!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Bill Snyder]

Mike,
I am pretty sure that is a picture of the back of the Eclipse Hans made for his wife.
See the thread on it HERE. (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=35091;hl=pink+and+ivor y)

[Steve Davis]

Beautiful Hans.

[MikeB]

Right on the money, Bill. I actually called Hans at home, just to express my complete awe at this mandolin (sadly, not to order one... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif ). He explained the pictures to me.

In any case, I am STILL awed!!

[Bing Cullen]

Trying just one more time to put a picture on. Maybe something is disabled in my PC

Optical illusion on head of 2 pointer L&H inspired design

[Bing Cullen]

Ah success at last! here's a picture of a H bracing I dreamt up one day. Hope it sounds Ok

[Bing Cullen]

here's a good use for those old ear plugs

[Bing Cullen]

and for those little problems that crop up with side binding

[F5G WIZ]

Hans, that thing looks like it's breaking the speed limit, standing still!! Beautiful lines, kinda looks like the Lamborgini of mandolins. Keep up the original out of the box thinking, I love it! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Ken]

Nice looking mandolins Bing, looking forward to more pictures as they move along.
Ken

[Bing Cullen]

These won't be finished for a few months yet. Working away from home. Left will be blonde. Might put a sunburst on the 2 pointer.

[Bing Cullen]

trying a bigger file size

[F5G WIZ]

I see you missed the 10000 member mark by one, you are member #9999. Nice lookin mando by the way, love that third point. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Bing Cullen]

Yes I like the 3 pointer which I copied from the first mandolin I acquired which was a Windsor Pyxe... which I later found out was based on the early Gibson F2 design ca 1900. At what stage Gibson dropped the 3rd point I'm not sure...but probably when Loar got the job.

[Antlurz]

Love the way the opposing points come close to matching each other and the peghead design on that left one.

Ron

[Bing Cullen]

originally I designed the peghead to take A style tuners, but later got the F styles. Put the A's on the Pyxe. Dimensionally the mandloin is bigger than most F5 as it was based on the Pyxe, but the new one is more like F dimensions

[Troy Harris]

Some photos of my current F5 before I start to varnish.

[Steve Cantrell]

Troy, that's sharp. Love to see a closer look at that inlay.

[Troy Harris]

One piece sugar maple back…

[Troy Harris]

Red spruce top…

[Troy Harris]

Tortoise celluloid binding…I used the same material for the finger rest, truss rod cover and fingerboard side dots.

[Troy Harris]

Some details…

[Troy Harris]

Dovetail joint… I will post more photos after I’m finish with the varnish and set up.
The trees are just now turning green in upstate New York… It’s great to feel the sun again.

[Troy Harris]

Here you go Steven. I posted this photo a little while back, before I set the neck.

[Steve Cantrell]

Thanks Troy! Can't believe I missed that one. That's some fine work.

[Troy Harris]

We are driving to Vermont tomorrow to see Mike Marshall play, I’ll tell him hello from you. I’m looking forward to taking a couple days off and playing lots of music. Take care.

[JEStanek]

Troy that is a very nice torch and wire headstock inlay. That's quality work!

Jamie

[oldwave maker]

More whiskey, less breakfast- just the f4 got shellaced this morning. Waiting for someone to do a tornado inlay on an F5.....

[kyblue]

Oh! Now that is nice, Mr. B.

Paula

[austin]

who/what got shellacked?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Mark Walker]

Troy - beautiful attention to detail throughout that mandolin. #Love that grain on the back too - it's reminscent of the back (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=28422;hl=silver+angel+ 231) #of my Silver Angel's - BEFORE the angel got painted on it!

(I think I have a photo somewhere of that 'in the white' before the angel was painted on it - and it looks a lot like the back of yours. #I'll dig it up and post it.)

Keep up the great work. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[oldwave maker]

Its wunnerful to visit planets where the figured maple grows, earth is my current favorite:

[buddyellis]

F5 #2, from an IV kit. I finally feel like I have half a clue about this stuff, though it hardly compares to some of the pros on here!

[buddyellis]

Back

[buddyellis]

Peghead

[jasona]

Troy: clean as a whistle, nice work!
Bill: http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Mark Walker]

Buddy - That's a fine looking effort from a kit! I'm impressed.
(Someday I gotta try my hand at one of those kits. Maybe when the Lions win the Super Bowl...) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[K3NTUCKI8oy]

looks like a banjo killer to me nice work!

[Jim Hilburn]

How do you think I would look as a blonde?
This is ready to be attached. I wet it with solvent to show the figuring. Pretty plain-looking without it.

[testore]

Jim,
You been diggin in Bussmans dumpster? Uh....I think it'll look ok with ANYTHING you put on.

[Mandoborg]

Troy, that's just sick !

Bill, do you keep that bottle-o-Woodford for color matching, or do you kill one after each matched mando and buy another ?? #:O)

Jim

[JEStanek]

Jim, how about a strawberry blonde? Whatever the color that's sweet. That's a nicely figured back! That figure on a A sytle back makes me feel like I'm gazing into a crystal ball to see what great music the future holds for that instrument.

Jamie

[testore]

Bill here's the head just about done.Color in pics is the most difficult thing to get right. Looks much better in person.The body pics aren't good enough to post. Maybe later.