Mandolin Cafe Message Board - Builders and Repair http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/ Discussions for those with an interest in the construction and repair of mandolin family instruments. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:26:22 GMT vBulletin 1 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg Mandolin Cafe Message Board - Builders and Repair http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/ Is this repairable?????? http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56773&goto=newpost Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:39:20 GMT Okay, so during my first time around changing mando strings, I somehow managed to break off the little hook thing on the mando where the loop end of... Okay, so during my first time around changing mando strings, I somehow managed to break off the little hook thing on the mando where the loop end of the string is supposed to fit whilst tuning up the string. Is this a common occurrence? Is this something that can be fixed with crazy glue, or am I screwed?? ]]> Builders and Repair gtrplyr2348 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56773 Reshaping a neck http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56762&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:58:40 GMT Hi All,

I have a wonderful Blackface A-5 Carver built by Chris Standridge. I think I want the neck slimmed down.

I've got a couple of issues I need to resolve. I know Chris can do a top shelf job, but that means sending Blackie cross-country. I'd rather not have the shipping and environmental challenges. Also I think at this point I know I want less thickness, but I don't know how much.

I live in Georgia so can anyone (speak up Chris if you have any thoughts) suggest someone who can make this happen. I've got equal access to Birmingham, Chattanooga and Birmingham.

Thanks,

Paul ]]> Builders and Repair PaulO http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56762 Tuner drilling question http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56761&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:19:15 GMT I just recieved my Gotoh 29/32" tuners. I also purchased the stew mac jig to drill for them. As long as the spacing is correct, which the jig should ensure, is it critical where the tuners are so long as the back plate does not over hang? ]]> Builders and Repair Zoomy http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56761 george la foley intonation... http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56755&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:41:14 GMT Hi I'm actually new and came here becasue I need help wth a rather fine George La Foley mandolin. I bought it on ebay ,tut tut , took off the kind of string cover/brace that goes between the bridge and the tail piece, cleaned it up and re-strung it with GHS specialist strings .So far ,so good. After tuning ,I realised that I wasn't gonna get the intonation right without replacing the string brace-- for that's what it must be --that's obviously what it's there for. Now ---I loosened off the strings, and replaced the cover . Tightened the strings and ping --off it flew ,leaving rather bigger holes than were originally there .I'm no expert ,as you can tell ,so now I'm wondering how to get the cover back on without it pinging off again--and without damaging the poor thing any more .Help ? ]]> Builders and Repair wiltshire-apple-pie http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56755 Bobby Osborne Signature F Style http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56752&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:13:28 GMT Would appreciate any comments on the Osborne Signature F Style mando.
The sticker on the one I'm looking at says it's made in Caneyville, Kentucky. I'm wondering who makes these instruments and what is their reputation for sound, etc. Many thanks
Gabe ]]> Builders and Repair gabe http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56752 Mandolinetto http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56748&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:10:29 GMT This one of of the pieces I was planning to bring to this years Healdsburg. Because of family matters I could not go, but this little feller has been... This one of of the pieces I was planning to bring to this years Healdsburg. Because of family matters I could not go, but this little feller has been on my living room wall ever since.

Rather cute eh?

http://www.nkforsterguitars.com ]]> Builders and Repair nkforster http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56748 Identifying Tenor Guitar http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56732&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:04:40 GMT I purchased the following at a garagre sale over the weekend and have not been able to find ANY markings anywhere . It is in excellent condition . a... I purchased the following at a garagre sale over the weekend and have not been able to find ANY markings anywhere . It is in excellent condition . a few scratches and the friction pegs are bad , however the body and neck are still solidly glued and the neck is straight.

Inside the sound hole you can see the neck block and it is identical to a STELLA resonator I have. However that is the ONLY clue I have other than pics . Anyone want to hazard a guess as to make .

Anyone wanna hazard a guess as to value ? :))
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]]> Builders and Repair Wudwerkr http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56732 Re-shaping a guitar body http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56726&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:55:35 GMT I have picked up a cheap acoustic guitar to use as a travel instrument. I'd like to reshape the body to be more pear-shaped by turning in the top of the sidesin a bit and re-gluing it back together (i guess you could say more mandolin-esque!), as well as messing around with extra strings, different tunings etc.

How easy / possible would this be? ]]> Builders and Repair Dusepo http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56726 Scale length change from new. http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56725&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:41:57 GMT In the process of looking for a nice old Gibson A4 I began to notice something that was familiar to me. When I finally got a tuner that could handle... In the process of looking for a nice old Gibson A4 I began to notice something that was familiar to me. When I finally got a tuner that could handle the task of intonation on my two mandolins I was surprised at the amount of travel rearward it took to bring them back into intonation. I began to notice almost all the old mandolins with good photo's showed the same rearward travel of the bridge. A few examples from Elderly including their Loars. Any explanations?
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]]> Builders and Repair hank http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56725 mandola neck length http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56721&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:11:19 GMT What's the potential variation for the length of a mandola neck? :confused: I imagine there's no cast-in-stone length but, rather, a practical minimum and a maximum. It is that info that i seek. I'm also curious to learn the neck length of a Gibson classic-period mandola.

I will use this info to decide the neck length of a building project. I plan to take the neck off an old electric guitar, keep the body, and replace the old neck with a home-made mandola neck. I haven't decided, as yet, to build it as a 4 or a 5 string. if it's the latter, it's a low F string that I'd choose to add. ]]> Builders and Repair Jim Nollman http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56721 <![CDATA[Collings MT and Lloyd's A5]]> http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56716&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:22:52 GMT From the recent discussion about LL's A5 I got to wondering about mt Collings MT and how much it is similar/different to the original, holy grail for this style.

I am more interested in the dimensional differences, and was hoping I could jig up an make an A-model based upon Collings A-style offering. ]]> Builders and Repair HSI http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56716 Bolt-on necks http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56709&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:55:27 GMT What's the feeling on here about bolt on necks? ]]> Builders and Repair Mike Bunting http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56709 Glue on button question http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56704&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:41:41 GMT I had a tuner button come off(glueon). What type of glue should I use to glue it back on. Thanks in advance! I had a tuner button come off(glueon). What type of glue should I use to glue it back on.

Thanks in advance! ]]> Builders and Repair blindboy http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56704 <![CDATA["Preston" tuning mechanism]]> http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56694&goto=newpost Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:23:29 GMT I'm working-up the courage and knowledge to embark on my first mandolin and have discovered the old watch-key type of tuning mechanism, supposedly invented by Preston. They still seem to be used on Portuguese Guitarras but rarely on other instruments - why's that?
Are there any suppliers of that style of tuning mechanism?

Dave ]]> Builders and Repair aero_mandolin http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56694 Bowlback needs fixing http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56692&goto=newpost Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:33:38 GMT Hi I was given this old bowlback that needs to be fixed its in pretty good shape other than a couple of cracks in the bowl well it need some work on... Hi I was given this old bowlback that needs to be fixed its in pretty good shape other than a couple of cracks in the bowl well it need some work on it the design on the front is of a butterfly does any one know of a builder repair shop in Orlando Florida where one could take it to thanks Steven from orlando .:crying: ]]> Builders and Repair stevenmando http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56692 Slightly Off Topic Luthiery Repair: Irish Banjo Question http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56685&goto=newpost Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:14:52 GMT I have found a deal on a very nice condition 1915 Era Orpheum Short Scale Tenor / Irish Banjo here in San Francisco.... (Seems like a very... I have found a deal on a very nice condition 1915 Era Orpheum Short Scale Tenor / Irish Banjo here in San Francisco.... (Seems like a very reasonable purchase to me at about 4 Benjamins.)

This thing is in immaculate condition with the sole exception being the condition of the Tuners. They look pretty fine, but slip heavily.

My questions are
(for anyone who might have had some experience with such an instrument):
What replacement tuners might you recommend?
What is the viability of restoring these to working condition?
Are there any tricks of the trade that might make theme function properly without replacing them?


Thanks in advance for any advice...

(The instrument pictured is not the actual banjo - but is in very similar condition and is the same model)...

Ted (Treblemaker) Silverman
SF, CA
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]]> Builders and Repair Treblemaker http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56685 <![CDATA[Lowering a bridge when it won't go lower]]> http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56683&goto=newpost Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:59:39 GMT I want to lower the action on my older mandolin, yet there is no adjustment left in the thumb screws. There is plenty of 'saddle' height and I think I can, sand, file etc down a a bit to lower the action. Just wondering what the best way to do this without screwing up the bridge.

Thanks for the input! ]]> Builders and Repair blindboy http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56683 What is ballpark cost of cutting off extended fretboard? http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56681&goto=newpost Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:11:31 GMT Yes, Floridaectomy time. No, not looking for cost of a hack saw! The Loar LM-600 fretboard is driving me crazy, it's right where I want to pick, (what are those tiny unusable frets for anyway??). Considering just selling it if it cost too much to have it cut it off or shortened by a pro somewhere, can't afford to spend more on this and could be happy with a new A style. I want to have the cutting done and possible re-attachment of white binding done right so it looks good if I ever want to sell later on, I seem to buy and sell a lot.

The white binding probably trickiest part if I want that to still be there, ideally it seems that would look best. Considering having it about the length of a Duff which I noticed is shorter than average, maybe go slightly shorter still. So, I figured maybe the bottom rounded part could be re-attached after cutting about 3/4" to 1" of frets off above that. I did a few PhotoShop ideas of it and looks pretty good, haven't figured out posting pics here yet though.

Thanks,
Jim ]]> Builders and Repair Jim1954 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56681 Re http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56678&goto=newpost Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:14:26 GMT I'm new to vintage mandolins and recently picked up a Supertone bowl back in very nice condition in the body and neck. Model number not written on tag inside body but has a star inlay in center of top of the headstock.

However, two of the tuning pegs slip a bit. The 2 pegs are slightly stripped where they join the brass gears and one of those brass gears has a crack through it. The tuning pegs are inlayed into the back of the headstock, which are then covered by a metal plate.

Can anybody direct me to an individual that could repair these tuning peg assemblys, or possibly anybody fabricating replacements?

Any help much appreciated ]]> Builders and Repair mjschmetzer http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56678 Recurve?? Effect on mandolin backs http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56663&goto=newpost Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:40:49 GMT i started a thread on this in general discussions...and realized you guys would be the one's i should ask. i'll apologize up front if my terminology is off, but here goes.

i have two mandolins that i alternate between.

a WEBER SE Cedar top...which has an old, comfortable relaxed sound...it will bark when i lean on it but is agreeable and goes with the flow.

the COLLINGS MF although very similar in shape, species and finish is more outgoing. tugging at the leash chasing banjo players down the road sorta mando, but i like her.

i realize that the difference between cedar and spruce plays a role in these two mandos demeaners. i have noticed on the top and back the WEBER slopes from rim to high point in center in mostly a gradual uphill arc. whereas the COLLINGS takes an inward dip before arcing upwards.

both are strung with J-74's, tunned to ggddaaee440. and both stay in tune very well, whether played every day. or left alone for several months while i was hospitalized. the last hospital stay the emt could'nt pry the WEBER from my hand as they peeled me off the floor. when i got home three months later, i put the tuner on the collings and did'nt need to touch a single knob.

my question is....does this difference in the way they are carved play a signifigant part in how the instrument resonates and presents itself? creating tension similar to a RECURVE BOW? pushing air? or would it have effect on the vibration? or both? neither?

is this something one should look for in regard to the tone,sound etc. one is looking for and how a new mandolin may open up?

thank you. ]]> Builders and Repair bassthumper http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56663