she ain't perfect but she's mine

[Keith Newell]

118041118041118042118042118043118043Built from some woods I would not send to a customer. Probably one of the best sounding creations and I'm keeping her because I can.
keith

[Steve Sorensen]

The quirky ones always have the most interesting lives. Enjoy!

Steve

[Jim Hilburn]

Hey, Keith, I'm looking forward to the day I can make one for me. Take some chances I wouldn't normally do.
Looks great.

[Steve Zawacki]

Keith, it's beautiful! The best looking are those that don't look like clones and have their own character. Wow!

[Bob Clark]

Looks good to me Keith. I don't see anything there I would have balked at if I were the customer, as long as it sounded good. And if you say it's one of your best sounding, I am sure it would have been a keeper for me! I hope you have lots of fun with it.

Best wishes,

Bob

[Doug Heinold]

Beautiful. I love the details in the inlay and tailpiece.

[Keith Newell]

Strange, I posted a response before and it does not show. Jim and Steve and now everyone thanks for the response, it means a lot to me.
Keith

[Marty Jacobson]

Nice work. That's a good looking buttonless scroll you've worked out.
Maybe one of these days I'll be able to afford one of my own, too....

[Keith Newell]

Been years I always was building one for me but they sold. Everyone I know wonders if I really build them because I have to play a tenor banjo at sessions. Done, I'm changing some stuff in life. I have to have a mando I built to play. I even am thinking of selling everything and traveling in a motorhome, I could keep some basic tools but traveling and enjoying the states is very appealing. I could still do mando repair and stuff.
Keith

[Zissou Intern]

Everything about it is great... the scroll design, the headstock design, the tailpiece design, the inlays. The current buttons match the sun inlay, but I wonder how black buttons would look.

[Bertram Henze]

Why does this title remind me of Supertramp?

Take a look at my girlfriend
She's the only one I got
Not much of a girlfriend
Never seem to get a lot

[Tavy]

Well if that's the reject....

Looks great!

[Michael Bridges]

Not sure about your definition of "Perfect", but to my eyes, that is one gorgeous instrument! Nicely done.

[Pete Jenner]

I have to have a mando I built to play. I even am thinking of selling everything and traveling in a motorhome, I could keep some basic tools but traveling and enjoying the states is very appealing. I could still do mando repair and stuff.
Keith

Come to Australia Keith. I'll set (chain) you up in the garage and you can share (give to me) all your mando building knowledge. :cool: Muahaha!

[Randi Gormley]

pretty, pretty, pretty. enjoy!

[usqebach]

My favorite fiddle was made in the 1930's by a maker from what he ascribed in the label to be "very old italian wood." It doesn't have a tight flame, but has some really interesting patterns. It also has a couple of noticeable knots in it as well.

I bet that's why he didn't sell it when he was alive (his grandson sold it to a violin shop along with a dozen other "blems"). I'm so thankful he didn't, because I bought it within 5 minutes of playing it the first time. It has power, or a "grunt," like no other fiddle I've ever played. (Mandogeeks would call this a great "chop.")

And in a way, I think it's a lot like me, not much to look at and with some obvious flaws, but beneath the skin there's some real character...or A real character! ;)

[re simmers]

Great work. What kind of woods are in it?

Thanks for posting the pictures.

Bob

[sunburst]

I'm out of mandolins again. Happens every time. I guess if I really set my mind on keeping one I could, but I always figure I can build a better one anyway...
I kind of like the wood in that one. Nice headstock too. Enjoy it!

[mandroid]

some woods I would not send to a customer.

Ah , the dark spot on the top back edge is the only blemish I see ..

as good an excuse for a keeper as any ..

[Skip Kelley]

That is one sweet looking mandolin Keith! I have always admired your work!

[sgrexa]

Congrats Keith! That blemish adds character and would not bother me at all. My new Nugget has pitch pockets on both sides of the slip matched back. They are near the sides and kind of hidden in the darker finish but they are there. There is also some type of blemish (worm track?) on the top near the bridge. I'm glad Mike did not even bother mentioning them to me because I might just have passed on the mandolin of my dreams. If a builder told me he had wood with small cosmetic defects that was superior to the "prettier" wood in every other aspect, I know what I would choose. My old F9 had a plain maple back (the horror!) but was one of the best F style mandolins I ever owned. Enjoy!


Sean

[parttimepicker]

She ain't Rose, But she ain't bad....
http://www.guitarparty.com/en/song/she-aint-rose/

[JEStanek]

I think it looks really good. Hope it gives you years of happy service.

Jamie

[Keith Newell]

Even though I didn't get the words to the song correct that what was going through my mind :)
Keith