So I just got my new Eastman 514 from The mandolin store to replace my first mandolin which is a Johnson F-120 e-bay mandolin. The Johnson has a sinking arch and since I really no longer need it I see this as a chance to maybe learn some repair skills or just generally tinker with it to learn more about construction etc.
Does anyone have resources I should check out for more info or advice to give?
Rayburn,
I picked up a project mando that had a cracked top. I replaced the top and made it an F2 style. It worked out pretty well and I currently have another project waiting in the wings. It's a Kentucky KM675. I removed the damaged top off of it and I have a rough carved replacement top to put on. I think I will do another F2/4 style with this one. I would suggest you consider the possibility of replacing the top. You might first try to x-brace the current top to see if this helps stabilize it.
Jim
Cabin Fever String Band, National Pike Pickers
It also depends on how it is braced. I had an old beater someone gave me that had a molded arch. It was sunk and upon disassembly found that a critical brace had split and was no longer supporting the top. I never fixed it as I had no idea how to push the top back out. It was a POJ anyway.
There are amazing ways to restore the arch on a carved or pressed top instrument. The issue is whether it's worth the time.
The technique involves making plaster molds and using hot sandbags to reform the desired arch. Check the Weisshaar book on violin restoration for a blow by blow description. Frank Ford also has some of this on his rebuild of a screwed up mando top.
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