Nava Walnut Archtop

[GarY Nava]

Work has started on the next archtop- this one will have American Black Walnut back & sides. The videos for, what is now “Jeremy’s Archtop” proved to be popular so I thought I’d do a second series and look at some different aspects of the build.
Here are links to the first two- for some reason I can't get the videos to show here.

Man v Wood https://youtu.be/8D4fF4EpqAU
Making the head https://youtu.be/bE23IkrNQ40

Here's the completed head
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Cheers Gary

[Ivan Kelsall]

Hi Gary - That is going to be utterly awesome !!. Walnut is my very favourite wood,especially Burr Walnut.

Re.not getting the YouTube clips to show here - i've had the same problem for about 2 weeks now. The attachment works,but the vids. don't show up for some reason ??,
Ivan;)

[trevor]

There is a thread about this in the general dsicussions section, it might be of help.

https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?139588-Video-Upload

[Ron McMillan]

These are fascinating, Gary. Thanks for sharing them.

[GarY Nava]

Thanks guys, glad that you're enjoying the videos. More soon!
Cheers Gary

[derbex]

Now he makes a walnut one ;)

That said number 1(15) is opening up nicely -I continue to be impressed and will try to make a recording soon.

[GarY Nava]

Here's the back plate with outer surface carved- a video showing how I got here will be posted soon!
Cheers Gary

[GarY Nava]

This week I completed the back plate for the next archtop mandolin. So as promised I’ve put this video together so you can see how it’s done. Again, working by hand is physically demanding but also immensely satisfying!
Cheers Gary
Here's the link-
https://youtu.be/ep-Gl5wHNVw

[GarY Nava]

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Here’s the tailpiece for the walnut archtop. You’ll see that there’s a thin green line running through it; this continues a decorative theme that the mandolin will have. I like to get the tailpiece made before the back is glued on to the rim, that way I can drill a hole for the jack socket and support the end-block to eliminate any chances of splitting.
Cheers GAry

[GarY Nava]

Here's the completed body -purflings and ebony bindings in place.
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Cheers Gary

[Ron McMillan]

I look forward to seeing that one completed, and hopefully being played on camera :)

[GarY Nava]

I look forward to seeing that one completed, and hopefully being played on camera :)

Thanks Ron- you might have to put up with me "playing" it though!
Cheers Gary

[John Kelly]

Another beauty, Gary. Your instruments do you credit.

[GarY Nava]

Another beauty, Gary. Your instruments do you credit.

Many thanks for your kind words, John.
Cheers Gary

[GarY Nava]

I’ve always believed that the neck joint, on a fretted instrument, should be as rigid as possible. The aim of the game is to ensure that the kinetic energy, from the movement of the player’s hand, is converted as efficiently as possible into sound. Making the neck joint rigid, is one step to ensure that energy is not absorbed into the instrument itself. I’m sure there are many who will disagree with me, but those are my views.
The walnut archtop’s neck has now been affixed to the body and in these two videos (parts 1 & 2) you’ll see the lengths that I go to ensure the neck and body are as one (or as close to that as possible)
Part 1 https://youtu.be/rTJTW4TfjV0
Part 2 https://youtu.be/Wx7LgKrQ3dk

Cheers Gary

[John Kelly]

Two fascinating videos, Gary. I particularly like the size of the tenon you cut - much bigger area than I am used to but I see why you are doing it and it seems to make a lot of sense. Easier to trim and adjust a bigger area (?)

Thanks for posting and keep up the great work.

[GarY Nava]

As you can see in the photos below, the Walnut archtop mandolin is coming together nicely. The next stage is to make the bridge and get it playing in the white. Getting exciting now!
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Cheers Gary

[GarY Nava]

Here’s the latest video on the making of my walnut archtop mandolin. The construction of the instrument itself is complete and now is the time for the hardware to be fitted and to make its first sounds!
Cheers Gary

https://youtu.be/BMPzXLEo59w

[Ron McMillan]

Yet another fine video and another lovely instrument. Well done Gary.

[GarY Nava]

The last of the fettling has been done and the mandolin is playing very nicely.
Tomorrow, it gets taken apart and the polishing process begins!
Cheers Gary
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[GarY Nava]

I’ve just completed the walnut archtop mandolin and am so pleased with the outcome. I’ve got an old Gibson T-shirt that says “Tone, Feel, Appearance” and I’m pleased to say that I think I’ve fully fulfilled those criteria. It is also the first time that I’ve used JJB soundboard transducers and they seem to produce an impressive tone even through my cheap and cheerful amp.
So below are number of photos for you and the full spec. I’ll sort out the obligatory video over the next couple of days!
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Hand carved top and back plates
American Black Walnut back & sides
European Spruce top
Body fully bound in Ebony
13 7/8” (352mm) Scale length with 30mm nut width
Bird’s Eye Maple neck with carbon fibre stiffeners
Compound radius Ebony fretboard with wide gold EVO frets
Nava handmade tailpiece
Nickel Gotoh MA-40 tuners
JJB Soundboard Transducers with endpin jack
A light open-pore shellac satin finish
D’Addario EJ74 strings (011, 015, 026, 040), bone nut & saddle

Cheers Gary

[GarY Nava]

As promised, a link to the video.....

https://youtu.be/MBT3V_m6oRo

Cheers Gary

[John Kelly]

Great work, Gary, and a very fine sound too.
I also recommend the JJB transducers - I have fitted them to 2 different instruments, my mian mandolin and octave, and am very happy with the sounds they give. Was playing the mando on Friday evening in a guitar/mandolin duo with a fiddler and through my AER amp I was getting a really good mandolin sound. JJB offers a very quick delivery service too from the US to us here in the UK. NFI I must add!

[Joey Anchors]

Love the design and attention to detail work! Such a unique mandolin and a great sound.

[Bogle]

That's a stunning build, Gary....and such a rich sound!

[GarY Nava]

Many thanks for the positive comments- greatly appreciated.
Cheers Gary

[JEStanek]

Lovely to the eyes and ears.

Jamie