Nava Archtop #3; with a nice smattering of Brazilian rosewood

[GarY Nava]

So, I’ve got my next archtop underway. This one is having Brazilian rosewood for the sides (and other parts) and a maple back. I’ve put together a couple of video; the first dealing with bending the side and the second, the back joint.
https://youtu.be/eIItmJIoQSA
https://youtu.be/OfraLEVGXAI
Cheers Gary

[GarY Nava]

And here's the completed rim and carved back plate.
Cheers Gary
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[GarY Nava]

I’ve made up the neck blank and you can see that I’ve used Brazilian rosewood for the head overlay. The inlay is from black pearl; I like its subtlety; in some lights, it disappears into the wood! The neck itself is maple with a rosewood core, you can see that I’ve started to carve the volute.
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And another video
https://youtu.be/6KFP_reE4J0
Cheers Gary

[GarY Nava]

Here's a little video showing all the work that has been done on the mandolin so far.
https://youtu.be/te85mqMuN_w

Cheers Gary

[Bill McCall]

Very nice. I also have an old Brazilian board that I was working on using and this idea is quite interesting.

[GarY Nava]

A few photos in the white:
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Cheers Gary

[Bill McCall]

Really pretty. Thanks for sharing.

[Randi Gormley]

wow. what kind of finish will you be putting on there?

[GarY Nava]

wow. what kind of finish will you be putting on there?

Thanks Randi.
For the first time, I’ve just used epoxy to fill the grain of the rosewood and am really pleased with this. I normally use pumice to fill and then French polish. But I feel like seeing how good a finish I can get with Tru-oil. I’ve recently used Tru-oil on a couple of electrics and was really happy with the result.
As they say, watch this space!
Cheers Gary

[GarY Nava]

Here’s the latest video covering the bridge for the archtop and my rationale for its design.
Cheers Gary
https://youtu.be/OejL_n5ydp0

[Skip Kelley]

Great looking mandolin Gary! I love the wood combination!

[danb]

Which bit of the Fens Gary? We're not far off Aylsham

[GarY Nava]

Which bit of the Fens Gary? We're not far off Aylsham

Sorry for the delay in answering, not logged on for a while! Just outside of Wisbech.
Cheers Gary

[GarY Nava]

I guess all luthiers search for the Holy-Grail of wood finishes; something that’s a doddle to apply, looks great, doesn’t affect the sound, doesn’t affect your health etc. etc. But having, over the years, used acid-catalysed melamine, two-pack polyurethane, nitro-cellulose, water-based acrylic, the one lesson that I’ve learnt is that there’s no substitute for hard work! Like many of my colleagues, these days I tend towards shellac-based finishes or various oils.
This mandolin is being French Polished and is looking quite lovely! I put together this video to give you a taste of the polishing process rather than a how-to guide. Hope that you find it interesting.
Cheers Gary
https://youtu.be/yr0zDEjj0vI

[GarY Nava]

The archtop is now complete. I’m very pleased with the outcome; if you’ve followed its construction from the beginning, you may remember that I said, “I feel a responsibility to make something beautiful, with my Brazilian rosewood.”
Hopefully you’ll agree that I’ve achieved that. Below are a number of photos for you- I’ll get a video done soon!
Cheers Gary

[Charles E.]

Now that is nice, very nice. Would love to hear a sound clip.

[Ron McMillan]

Now that is nice, very nice. Would love to hear a sound clip.

I think there will be quite a long line of us waiting for that sound clip, Gary. :)

[derbex]

Lovely work again Gary. No. 1 has just been torturing Pachabel's Canon, practicing for the Christmas show.

[GarY Nava]

Lovely work again Gary. No. 1 has just been torturing Pachabel's Canon, practicing for the Christmas show.

Look forward to hearing that.;)
Cheers Gary

[GarY Nava]

As promised here is the last video of the current series; presenting the complete mandolin. As always, I try to demonstrate it and as always, I fail to do it justice. You’ll have to imagine what it would be like in the hands of an expert!
Cheers Gary
https://youtu.be/UNNTiPddHVY

[Bill McCall]

Very nice, sweet sound as well as beautiful.

[Gunnar]

Looks great! Sounds great! Great price too. It's gonna make someone real happy!

[V70416]

I was happily grateful you opted to play "Ripple".

Nice sound! Beautiful instrument.