In the White

**TNMANDO** · Aug-30-2004, 6:46pm

I'm a little hesitant to show this with so many good builders out there but I wanted to give my thanks to all that helped me get this far. Got the hard part left if you ask me. There are so many ways I can screw this up now. And for those who might be wondering this was not a kit.
Thanks a million,
Will Young

**ShaneJ** · Aug-30-2004, 7:18pm

Nice! Looks like you're doing a good job.

I just ordered the wood for my first attempt today. I hope it comes out as nice-looking as yours.

Is that Siminoff's newest book on the shelf, or an older one?

**ShaneJ** · Aug-30-2004, 7:19pm

Are you working up the stuff for a tobacco burst in the red cup?

**TNMANDO** · Aug-30-2004, 10:10pm

I started with the first book and bought the second book after the rim was put together. Both books are reasonable but there are some errors with the drawings.
Yes that is a special home brew tobacco stain that I work on while building, I call it Copenhagen

**Stanley Cox** · Aug-31-2004, 7:11am

Looks great, any more pic's?

**Dale Ludewig** · Aug-31-2004, 8:12am

Looks great, especially for your first. Nice job.
Dale

**amowry** · Aug-31-2004, 8:16am

Looks very nice. I like the logo.

**Lane Pryce** · Aug-31-2004, 4:54pm

Will that sure is fine work. I really envy you man. I'm considering a kit for my first mandolin just because I do not have a shop or all the necessary tools to build from scratch. I would like to see more detailed pics of the back and scroll work. Great job!! Lp

**Skip Kelley** · Aug-31-2004, 5:14pm

Thats a nice mandolin! You should be proud!!

**Flowerpot** · Aug-31-2004, 5:27pm

That looks like terrific work for #1. Got any pics of the back?

**TNMANDO** · Aug-31-2004, 8:52pm

This one is kinda blurry but shows the birds eye and flame ok. I plan to show more detailed pics once I get it finished. Thanks for the compliments guys.

**bobz** · Aug-31-2004, 8:59pm

Hi Will,
I`m at the same stage as you with my two mandos. Yes, I`m not looking forward to sunbursting either, but it`s got to be done if we`re going to learn how to do it. I`m going to string mine up in the white. That frightens me also, the slightest sound of cracking wood will give me a heart attack. I started these two last September, I hope they do`nt end up as fire wood. Mine were made from scratch as well with the raw materials supplied from StewMac. Keep us posted on your sunbursting progress, I would personally like to know how you acheive it. Good luck with the final stage of your construction.

**TNMANDO** · Aug-31-2004, 9:40pm

Bobz,
What possessed you to build two first mandos. I can't imagine. I did a practice top out of a low grade spruce to practice the carving and graduating process. I also did a practice neck to get an idea of the dovetail and to see if I could actually cut the peghead right, but two complete mandolins? Impressive ! I like the different peghead inlays.I plan on spraying the burst and finishing with varnish / french polish. How bout you?

**Luthier Vandross** · Sep-01-2004, 3:03am

Guys, a sunburst finish is easy. You need yellow, Van Dyke brown, and black. You need a small pile of rags, a can of denatured alcohol, fresh q-tips, a roll of paper towels, and some 220 grit. (optional spray rig suggested!)

These are great looking instruments, however, the hard part does lie ahead... I HATE SCRAPING.

Godspeed.

Miles

**Dale Ludewig** · Sep-01-2004, 11:35am

Amen on the scraping. Argh.

**tope** · Sep-01-2004, 6:55pm

Looking good guys, Yup scraping binding is lots of fun. LOL

**bobz** · Sep-01-2004, 10:03pm

Hello again Will,
I`ve already gained some experience on carving plates by building a Benedetto style jazz guitar, picture below. This is still in the stage you see in the photo and I intend to finish it this year. I decided to build two mandos but after getting to this stage I wish I had kept to one. They are so much more involved than a guitar. One of the mandos has a reverse binding round the body, ( a black line running round the sides instead of on the face), this was because I got got carried away carving the soundboard for this one and did`nt leave enough of a ledge for the normal .090" binding. My first mistake.
Like you I will be spraying my sunburst with an air brush. Dependining on the weather, ( August has been the wettest month in decades here in the UK ), I will spray my finish also. If the weather is not on my side I have StewMacs brushing varnish. I`ve read good reviews of the LMII KTM lacquer. I`ll have to try some at a later date. Looking forward to seeing your finished mando.