Mandolins in progress

[Marc Berman]

Marc, it's strung, I played it, and it's freakin' awesome!!!!

I just want to publicly thank Chip for being my eyes and ears in Idaho. Chip has been sending me regular updates (email and photos) on my Lawrence Smart build. Chip got a ten string mandolin/mandola out of batch before mine. I saw where he mentioned that he would be folowing the current batch. I dropped him a line when it started and he's been great. After the top and back were carved he called me and we spent a 1/2 an hour talking about what he saw and heard during the carving process. Now that the instruments are strung up he went over with his personal mandolin, a Gil, and sent me an in depth overview of how he feels mine compares to his and how it is in general.

[Ed Goist]

Here are some pics of 'The Raven' in the white.
I really like the white purfling Jason has installed around the stylized raven's head headstock inlay.
Jason reports that the mandolin's voice is right along the lines of what we were shooting for: a very deep, rich tone with plenty of warmth.

The final coat of varnish was applied to 'The Raven' two weeks ago.
Next week she'll be rubbed-out and polished.
Then, after another week, she'll be strung-up and test driven...
I keep telling myself...patience, patience...

[Marc Berman]

I keep telling myself...patience, patience..

I can honestly say I know how you feel. It looks like next week will be the end of my two year odyssey.

[Jill McAuley]

Looking very nice indeed there Ed!

Cheers,
Jill

[sgrexa]

Here is my Jerry Garcia inspired mandolin starting to come together. It is the first of three I have in progress. Binding still needs to be scraped flush and a little shaping of the top is still needed.

Max, LOVE IT!! Keep posting updates! Jim H. - LOVE that finish. Amber perfection! (hint, hint, Max!)

Sean

[crazymandolinist]

Workin on No. 2. It's an octave.

[Max Girouard]

[QUOTE=crazymandolinist;925055]Workin on No. 2. It's an octave.

Looks great, what scale length are you going to use?

[crazymandolinist]

It's a 22.5 inch scale. The neck joins at the 16th fret.

[D18dave]

[Ed Goist]

Dave: Beautiful 2-Point! Thanks for sharing.

[StevenS]

Dave,
THAT is a good looking mandolin. Love the 'burst.
Steve

[mcasey2006]

Here is C 'n O #1. I started working on it in January and I have about one more week to go until it is buffed, polished and strung up! Sure has been a fun learning experience!

[Kheath]

My #1, first stringing up tonight, and no imploding tops or anything. I'd say I have about four million work hours left on this thing, but I just couldn't help stringing it up when I realized it was possible.

/Magnus

Duuuudeee thats just fricking awesome.....................Kevin

[thistle3585]

In the spray booth, yesterday was natural and today was red.

[iputthemaninmandolin]

This is incredible, you guys are all building such beautiful instruments! This may not belong in this forum, but can I ask you guys how you start out tracing and cutting out your base and top plate? Is a plastic template the way to go? And what size blades are you guys using to cut out those shapes?

[StevenS]

"Pacifica" 1 and 2 luring me to play rather than take off the hardware and start the finishing process . . .



I'm really loving the tone of the new curly redwood of Pacifica 2. She is warm and woody and getting better with each second played.

Next up, Port Orford Cedar and then Red Spruce. Can't wait to have them all side-by-side.

Steve

[Steve-o]

Very nice Steve. Beautiful redwood figure and innovative headstock. I'd enjoy seeing the finished product on those. What is the back/side wood?

[Ed Goist]

Beautiful instruments, Steve!
I absolutely love the contemporary design! Well done.
Congratulations.

[StevenS]

Steve-o,
Curly Claro Walnut backs, sides and headstock veneers. Curly western maple necks.
A little experiment with West Coast wood that is making me think I have a few decades of further experimentation ahead!
Steve

[Steve-o]

Steve,
Great combination of wood! I have an oval hole mandolin with that combo (except the next is walnut/maple/walnut). Again, looking forward to the final product.

[D18dave]

Steve
Very nice pair of mandolins. I like the mermaid inlay work.

[JEStanek]

Great designs, Steve!

Jamie

[crazymandolinist]

Steven that would make an awesome display at a trade show with the large variety of woods and all.

[oldwave maker]

GOMapalooza: walnuts, maples, Engelmann. Shellac sealer coat. Hugging the tree after its parted out......

[dcoventry]

Whoa. that third one over from the left is a beauty!! Zowie, Batman!