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It's been a while since I've been here. Local mandolin/fiddle/guitar player David Mosher purchased a Siminoff kit over 8 years ago. After seeing and playing a couple of my Harlan mandolins, he...

This mandolin is now for sale at Elderly Music.

http://elderly.com/new_instruments/names/harlan-a-model-mandolin-and-case--HM7.htm

This one wasn't a 'custom build' - more of a 'spec mandolin', and I didn't think my price was "super expensive" (as the prospective buyer stated). I thought I was pretty much in line (and mostly...

I have a question for the other builders out there. Do you have folks wanting to haggle over the price of one of your new mandolins? Is it normal for people to question what you charge, and then...

Harlan # 7 was strung-up last night. I think it sounds great - nice and loud!

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Got some lacquer sprayed on #7 last night.
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I never realized how much faster building an A-style was compared to an F-style!
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I guess I haven't completely forgotten everything! (and I decided to go ahead and build an F-style, since I still have all the parts for one of them...)

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Well... after a 5 year hiatus (and a move to Michigan, and a divorce, and a re-marriage) it's time to start building again. I'm going with an A-Style this time - need to ease into it! :)

My...

After working on this one ( off and on ) for almost a year and a half, I finally finished it!

http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mando6pics/front2.JPG
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Thanks Stephanie. I've tried to hand-rub a sunburst and they come out looking terrible. I've been airbrushing since my first, and it gives a much more even graduation, in my opinion.
Post pictures...

Finally got some stain on # 6, then spent a couple of hours yesterday scraping the bindings.

I'm convinced that you haven't truly lived until you've had to scrape the bindings on an F-style...

No kidding. The good Lord was definitely watching over him and the 2 other boys in the car, and the girl in Saturn that was under his car. Everyone walked away without a scratch.
Just one of those...

Stanley,
Yeah, I really wanted to go to Argyle, but I had my son's 13th birthday party Friday night, and I had an Eagle Scout court of honor for a boy in our Troop Satruday evening.
A bit off...

It's been quite a while, but I'm finally getting some time in the workshop. Here's Harlan #6 under construction (the fretboard is just stuck on with tape). I'm working on the binding now.
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like this

I don't use the Elite tuners, but I use the step method -- the hole on top is just shy of the diameter of the bushing, but it doesn't go all the way through. The hole on the back is the diameter of...

Moving right along on Harlan # 6. #This one is for my cousin.

http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mandolincafe/harlan6/top%20and%20rim%20outside.jpg...

Is it just me, or do you guys find it 'therapeutic' to carve scrolls? #I really enjoy this part.

Here's Harlan # 6 under constructions.
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Doug, that looks great! #It has a kind of "vintage" look to it. #Keep it up!!

Careful Jim....If I did that much thinkin' I might injure something!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

I have recently seen a couple of what I would consider top-quality mandolins, and noticed what appears to be an off-center back. Am I missing something, or is the back installed crooked, is the neck...

Here are a few more pictures of #5.



http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mandolincafe/harlan5_6.JPG http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mandolincafe/harlan5_5.JPG...

Harlan #5 completed last night. This one is headed down near Corsicana Texas.

http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mandolincafe/harlan5_3.JPG http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/mandolincafe/harlan5_4.JPG

WOW Chris -- looks like you have WAY too much time on your hands!!

On a side note....Harlan #5 moving right along!

http://www.kentium.net/mandolin/harlan5/Stainedfront2.JPG