Ken Waltham
Aug-06-2015, 8:44pm
I had promised LenF12 that I would post some photos of this project, so, here goes.
First, some background...
I have long focused on Gibson mandolins, for better or worse, depending on your opinion. They are just what I personally like, not to say that has to be anyone else's choice, but, it is mine.
So, I have long looked for a mandolin that could be used for all those gigs or travel that is a little more "everyday friendly" than a valuable vintage F5 may be in some circumstances. Nothing would seem to fit the bill for my own personal preferences, and when you are used to a very high grade instrument, it's a tough slot to fill.
No modern Gibson's excited me at all. I am not going to go into reasons why, but, they were not in the running.
Finally, this winter I bought a 1959 F5 from the deceased owner's son. I am a 50's model myself, and, I thought this would be kind of cool.
As you can imagine, it was in incredible condition, 100% original, but, sounded like a log with strings stretched across it. No volume, no dynamic range, no tone.
One of my first good mandolins was a 1949 F12 conversion to an F5, done by Randy Wood. I remembered this as being a really good mandolin, but, so much water had passed under the bridge, and my tastes have matured and changed over time, that I was not sure how accurate my memory was regarding this conversion.
Anyway, I talked with a couple of Cafe members who have had this done, and with Tony Williamson, a confidant and friend of mine.
Everyone was very positive, so, in March I sent it to Randy Wood in GA.
I had met Randy a few times, spoken, hung out and stuff, but that was back in my Bluegrass days, and it may have as much as 16 to 18 years since we last talked.
Speaking with Randy was just like we had left off yesterday. He treated me so well, and was so kind and generous, that I would encourage any Cafe member to consider his services for whatever you may need.
Anyway, long story short, he sawed the back off, regraduated the top and back, new Loarish tone bars, properly placed, installed an ebony R Wood bridge, new nut and fret work.
It went back together with sign of ever having been off, and plays perfectly!
I have always liked the 50's neck profiles, a little more C shaped, and this thing plays like a dream.
Sound... well, when I first tuned it up, it was a little "wiry" perhaps metallic.
By day two most of that had left. After 10 days I called Randy to tell him he had made this into a marvelous mandolin.
He told me that about every two weeks it would go through a change. He explained I may not notice it as much as someone who had not been playing it every day, but, saw it infrequently. Then he said that after 3 - 4 months it would really open up.
Suffice to say, this has exceeded all my expectations, and I cannot really put it down.
It has been exactly what I was looking for. It did not break the bank, is a true "vintage Gibson", plays great and sounds fantastic.
In short, it pushes all my buttons.
In these photos, I could not get the flame on the back to come out... but, it has wonderful wood, full of flame and curl. Guess my angle or light wasn't quite right.
Anyway, enjoy the pictures, thanks Ken13704213704313704413704513704613704713704813704 9137050137051
First, some background...
I have long focused on Gibson mandolins, for better or worse, depending on your opinion. They are just what I personally like, not to say that has to be anyone else's choice, but, it is mine.
So, I have long looked for a mandolin that could be used for all those gigs or travel that is a little more "everyday friendly" than a valuable vintage F5 may be in some circumstances. Nothing would seem to fit the bill for my own personal preferences, and when you are used to a very high grade instrument, it's a tough slot to fill.
No modern Gibson's excited me at all. I am not going to go into reasons why, but, they were not in the running.
Finally, this winter I bought a 1959 F5 from the deceased owner's son. I am a 50's model myself, and, I thought this would be kind of cool.
As you can imagine, it was in incredible condition, 100% original, but, sounded like a log with strings stretched across it. No volume, no dynamic range, no tone.
One of my first good mandolins was a 1949 F12 conversion to an F5, done by Randy Wood. I remembered this as being a really good mandolin, but, so much water had passed under the bridge, and my tastes have matured and changed over time, that I was not sure how accurate my memory was regarding this conversion.
Anyway, I talked with a couple of Cafe members who have had this done, and with Tony Williamson, a confidant and friend of mine.
Everyone was very positive, so, in March I sent it to Randy Wood in GA.
I had met Randy a few times, spoken, hung out and stuff, but that was back in my Bluegrass days, and it may have as much as 16 to 18 years since we last talked.
Speaking with Randy was just like we had left off yesterday. He treated me so well, and was so kind and generous, that I would encourage any Cafe member to consider his services for whatever you may need.
Anyway, long story short, he sawed the back off, regraduated the top and back, new Loarish tone bars, properly placed, installed an ebony R Wood bridge, new nut and fret work.
It went back together with sign of ever having been off, and plays perfectly!
I have always liked the 50's neck profiles, a little more C shaped, and this thing plays like a dream.
Sound... well, when I first tuned it up, it was a little "wiry" perhaps metallic.
By day two most of that had left. After 10 days I called Randy to tell him he had made this into a marvelous mandolin.
He told me that about every two weeks it would go through a change. He explained I may not notice it as much as someone who had not been playing it every day, but, saw it infrequently. Then he said that after 3 - 4 months it would really open up.
Suffice to say, this has exceeded all my expectations, and I cannot really put it down.
It has been exactly what I was looking for. It did not break the bank, is a true "vintage Gibson", plays great and sounds fantastic.
In short, it pushes all my buttons.
In these photos, I could not get the flame on the back to come out... but, it has wonderful wood, full of flame and curl. Guess my angle or light wasn't quite right.
Anyway, enjoy the pictures, thanks Ken13704213704313704413704513704613704713704813704 9137050137051