Gilchrist Photos

**Don Grieser** · May-07-2004, 12:12pm

The color is way too red/yellow/orange, but you get the idea.
Back scroll detail. Really outrageous wood.

**Don Grieser** · May-07-2004, 12:16pm

Front scroll detail. Adironrack red spruce, hard rock maple one piece back, tone bars, made in 1999, ordered before I knew what I was doing and I'm keeping it.

**jjboone101** · May-07-2004, 12:18pm

Beautiful Don! I'm sure it sounds as great as it looks.

**JDSmith** · May-14-2004, 11:30am

That is one beautiful instrument! Does it have a varnish or lacquer finish?

**Don Grieser** · May-14-2004, 12:51pm

It has a varnish finish. I played a gig the day after I got it and literally had to peel my sweaty shirt off of the back of the mandolin. Left the imprint of the material in the back. I was sick. When Gilchrist came back to the states the next year, he French polished all that out (for free). It took a while to really harden up. The finish on the neck is wearing down to the wood and it's very slick and comfortable. And it does sound as good as it looks. I know of at least 5 people who played it and later told me they ordered one. I'll try to post a picture of the whole back when I get a good one.

**JDSmith** · May-14-2004, 12:54pm

Thanks for the info. I'd love to see it. I knew varnish was touchy but wow! Does it ever fully cure or does it require special attention for life? I am curious because I am in the planning stages of a custom order now and can't decide between lacquer or varnish.

**Don Grieser** · May-14-2004, 1:30pm

It got really hard after a couple years. Steve Gilchrist was very good about working with me on the finish--when I got it to him for fret dressing the second year, he sent it back looking like new (no charge for the French polish). It never needed it again. I don't know what difference the lacquer would make on the sound, but if I had to do it over again, I'd do varnish again. I'd just be more careful. You especially don't want it to get too hot when the varnish is new. You'll be very happy with the way the neck feels with varnish on it. None of that sticky lacquer feel.

**Peakbagr** · May-14-2004, 4:25pm

Hans Brentrup is building my mandolin now. When I was out to visit his shop, he spoke about his recommendations with a new varnish finish. Said that when I receive it, it should be stored OUT OF its case for a while, so the varnish can better cure and dry out in the air.
He also recommends that it be played for only few times a day(chords) for 10-15 min at a time. Body heat warms it up, and the brief periods of play keeps your 98.6 degrees in contact with the finish from warming it up too much.
I'm may not have all the details, this was just from memory.

**onlyagibsonisgoodenuff** · May-14-2004, 10:20pm

What is that odd reflection/blemish around the f-hole?

**Dedian** · May-14-2004, 10:31pm

Do you mean the white thing that loops up and to the right? Looks like a window-frame reflection to me

**Don Grieser** · May-17-2004, 8:40am

Yes, it's just a reflection from the window.

**JDSmith** · May-17-2004, 1:09pm

Peakbagr,
Just out of curiosty - What is Hans' current lead time? I have yet to speak with him on a potential project but would like to know if it's in terms of months or years.

Thank you.