Rockin B #1 (Don Kawalek kit)

[kbarry]

Just finished my first musical instrument from a Don Kawalek kit - Rockin B #1. #Took a month to build and another month to finish using French Polish techniques.

I made a modified Red Henry maple bridge (to fit a flat top)and the instrument is very loud and has great sustain. #I am very happy with it. #Many posts on this forum along with Don's hand holding have saved me quite a bit of pain and suffering. Thanks to all on this forum.

Ken

Front

http://users.vnet.net/kbarry/Rockin%20B%201a.JPG

Back

http://users.vnet.net/kbarry/Rockin%20B%201b.JPG

[Bill Snyder]

That's nice Ken. You ought to post it in the Post a Picture section also. More people will see it there.

[otterly2k]

It's beautiful. I'm getting ready to do one of Don's mando building workshop this spring... it's great to see one of his instrument kits finished. Congratulations... and I like your personal touches as well...

KE

[MikeB]

Hey, Ken,
Nice work! Makes me think about starting a kit....

A word about the bridge, though. There is much controversy about those maple bridges. Most luthiers seem to feel they aren't the best choice. I, of course, had to find out for myself and made one for my '20 Gibson A. It was loud, but harsh and brittle sounding. The instrument lost all its sweetness. I finally went to a Brekke ebony model--a HUGE improvement. This is just my experience. I'm just encouraging you to experiment a bit before you settle on one bridge. They make a WORLD of difference.

[Luthier]

Your diploma is in the mail....Excellent! Don't stop building. The world needs more music.

Don

[kbarry]

Thanks to all.

I don't have much experience with other mandolins, but this one with the maple bridge has a very nice sound and IMHO better than the ebony bridge that came with the kit. I also like the color better (bad reason to pick a bridge - but hey - it's mine.)

Don - definately not the last. My ultimate is an F4 - I am going to hit a few intermediate steps along the way.