View Full Version : Any finished kit photos?
Steve Davis
Apr-26-2005, 1:30pm
Anybody have pictures of finished kit mandolins? Please indicate Stewmac, Siminoff, IV etc. and comments about difficulties, substitutions, sound....Can't wait to start #1. Are there any 2-point kits available?
Dedian
Apr-26-2005, 5:11pm
I'll go ahead and set the bar REALLY low http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif This is #1 - Stew-mac kit. I didn't do the binding because of a scary incident on my first pass with the dremel attachment that Stew-mac sells - the finish is so-so (ok, I'm actually not very happy with it http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif). As far as the kit itself goes, I found it very easy to work with. I'm currently working on #2 - a siminoff kit - and I'm glad I didn't have to do the rim assembly on #1. The dovetail was a little tricky to get set right, but it was pre-cut, so that's a plus. Overall, it sounds good - When I get #2 done I have plans to refinish, probably re-graduate top and back a little thinner, as well.
Steve Davis
Apr-26-2005, 5:21pm
It looks good to me. How does it sound? Why'd you switch kits?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Dedian
Apr-26-2005, 5:33pm
It sounds pretty good to my ears - I made a solid maple Red Henry-style bridge a month or so back and that has really improved the tone. It hasn't opened up much in the year that I've been playing it, and I've attributed that to not graduating the plates correctly in the first place - then again some don't open up for many years. I switched kits more or less as an expiriment - I was very happy with the quality of the wood in the stew-mac kit, and the wood in the siminoff kit looks good as well.. The siminoff kit is more of a challenge to me so far, as the ticky parts (in my mind, of course, I'm still working with kits!) haven't been done - the dovetail, building the rim, etc. Also, I have a gallery of my building process on #1, so everyone go ahead and kill my DSL http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
http://www.obfus.com/gallery....&page=1 (http://www.obfus.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=mandolin&page=1)
Stephanie Reiser
Apr-26-2005, 7:02pm
I built a Stew-Mac kit, and am very happy with it.
Stephanie
Stephanie Reiser
Apr-26-2005, 7:04pm
from the back.
Stephanie
Pete Braccio
Apr-27-2005, 11:00pm
These both look great to me. I hope I can do as well with my first.
Stephanie, I really like the well defined lines on on the back of yours.
Pete
Stephanie Reiser
Apr-28-2005, 4:03am
thanks, Pete
Stephanie
(another view)
bpool
Apr-28-2005, 10:12pm
My #1 Siminoff
bpool
Apr-28-2005, 10:19pm
Here's the peghead
Steve Davis
Apr-29-2005, 4:59am
Sweet. I hope my #1 is as good as any of these.
mandoryan
Apr-29-2005, 4:06pm
Hey bpool,
Can we see a full front and back pic of your mando? It looks great btw!
Ryan, Here's a few more pics of my first Siminoff kit. I built this last summer from his most finished kit. I had never built an instrument before so this was a great learning experience and alot of fun. I now wish I had selected a more highly figured back wood but I'm happy with the finished instrument and sound. I replaced the bridge with one from Steve Smith and that made a great improvement in sound. Chop Chop.... Since I didn't have a F5 onhand to copy, I spent hours at studing loar pictures and that was a great help.
dstretch
Apr-30-2005, 8:39pm
Here is My Aniane #1. It was a stew-mac kit and I am very happy with it.
dstretch
Apr-30-2005, 8:40pm
Here is the back.
dstretch
Apr-30-2005, 8:42pm
Last one the happy pappy and his new baby.
Stephanie, how many hours involved in your mando? I love the finish. Did you do a lot of research before hand? How were the instructions? Sorry for so many questions. Beautiful job. Mike
mandoryan
May-02-2005, 10:24am
very nice bpool. That's a great lookin' mando! Very nice everyone actually. Job well done!
Stephanie Reiser
May-03-2005, 4:30am
Mikeguy,
Thanks! I dont know how many hours it took to build but I started October of 2003, and finished January of 2004. The finish is only laquer sprayed from a can from Walmart - about 18 coats. Took 2 cans, actually. The only research I had done was using Macrostie's plans and Siminoff's first book. I have never seen a Loar up close. I am currently building #2 and will pay much more attention to detail and will be using a varnish finish this time.
Stephanie
Steve Davis
May-11-2005, 1:30pm
Surely some of the IV kits must be ready to be photographed by now. Let's have some more pictures please. I need inspiration. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Baron Collins-Hill
May-11-2005, 2:53pm
i got somje pictures this morning before school of my campfire mando in the white. they're not all that good. the neck has good flame and the back has a tad itself. i wonder how it will show after i finish it. here goes
front:
Jim Garber
May-11-2005, 2:55pm
Hey PhishPhan:
Where is your label? You have to sign your work, right?
It looks very good... better than mine which is still sitting in the box.
Jim
Baron Collins-Hill
May-11-2005, 3:12pm
ive got a peice of home made paper that im gonna use, but i can think of anything good. i knida want a B like on my website. if anyone has a good idea, please let me know, or better yet photoshop something up! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Steve Davis
May-21-2005, 4:42pm
Any IV, LMI, Siminoff kit mandos out there? Are there any others? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif
Bill Snyder
May-21-2005, 10:16pm
Don't believe LMI sells a mandolin kit.
Jim Rowland
May-23-2005, 9:44pm
LMI sells a set of boxed materials for mandolin. It's top notch stuff and everything you need except glue and finish.
The price is excellent,but you have to do all the work.
Jim
Yonkle
Jun-04-2005, 11:50pm
The one in the middle is a Siminoff JD
Steve Davis
Jun-05-2005, 4:54pm
Nice work JD. I hope I can come remotely close to your skill.