The green two point- done

[Dale Ludewig]

The new two point emerald green one is done. Trying to post again. Pardon me if this isn't working right now.

[Dale Ludewig]

Well, that worked. Sheesh. I've only been working with computers since 1979 and I can't post a picture properly the first try. Duh. Anyway, pardon the photography. It's just shot on our sofa, but you'll get the idea.

Next photo:

[Dale Ludewig]

Well, man I'm not doing well here with my posts. Here, I hope is the headstock. I keep forgetting to put up the smaller version and then nothing flies. My fault.

[Dale Ludewig]

Perhaps I'll get it right this time first try. A shot of the back of the whole thing. The entire mandolin is quilted from Spruce. Two piece back, which turned out much better than I'd hoped for. Quilted doesn't carve or act the same as curly, where things are (mainly) mirrored. Not bad though. Thanks Bruce.

[groveland]

Awesome.

[kyblue]

Looks like a gem! I like that you didn't cover the oval hole with the pick guard.

[Gail Hester]

Wow Dale, that's just beautiful. I really like that green and everything else about it.

[Dale Ludewig]

Hmm. I seem to be getting this down. The final shot- a closeup of the back (I hope). Thanks again to Bruce. Wonderful wood. A bugger to work but well worth it. This instrument, for what it's worth, is the first oval hole I've done, first Engleman top, carved to F5 Specs 'cause I didn't know what else to do, and then to make sure it was going to be stable between bridge and tailpiece, I x-braced it. My first at that also. It sounds pretty good, if I dare say so. Man, these oval holes sound so different from f-holed instruments.

Anyway- closeup of the back. This guy will be at IBMA. NFS.

[tope]

Looking good Dale. That second pic of the back really brings out the quilt better.
Good Job kid! Glad you got it done today. Where are the side pics Dale?

[B. T. Walker]

Dale! That is spectacular. The green came out beautifully, and that quilted back...my, my, my. It's going to cause a splash at IBMA.

[phynie]

Dale, it looks AMAZING!!! #The green is too cool! #It really helps that quilt pop out on the back. #Beautiful work and beautiful wood.

[phynie]

Is that a james tailpiece? looks sharp!

[jasona]

Wow--I love the abalone block inlay with the green too. That back is stunning! I'll be the first to say how I'm green with envy... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[ShaneJ]

Dale, that is awesome! Congrats!

[Dale Ludewig]

Gary- thanks. I tried a side shot but it sucked and I didn't post it.
Brian- yours will should look equally green! Just curly instead of quilted.
To all else, thanks. I'm real pleased with the results. I just spent 45 minutes with it on the deck out back- My, it is not an f-hole instrument. My wife says she can't really tell the difference. Hmm. She grew up an hour south of Nashville and her family plays bluegrass. But she also does harp singing. So who am I to criticize the ability to differentiate between slightly different sounds?

Thanks to all.

[Dale Ludewig]

Oh, by the way- it is a James tailpiece. Seemed to fit this model better that the Allen models which I've been using all along.

Dale

[JEStanek]

Dale, Very nice work. I'm sure it'll bring in plenty of green too! That's a beauty - design, inlya, color. Total package.

Go oval!
Jamie

[JGWoods]

I like the finger rest with the cutout to match the oval hole. I always wondered why they didn't do that from the gitgo, it seems so logical.
Some Notre Dame grad will grab it soon no doubt...

[JEStanek]

Dale, not for sale... green with envy.
Jamie

[Big Joe]

Hey Dale....BEAUTIFUL!!! I love the looks and I love the green. I've wanted to do a green mandolin for a long time. Now I can look at your picture http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif .

[Antlurz]

That green color is a knockout on that backboard wood, and the way you matched the end of the fretboard with the finger rest is totally trippindicular!!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Great blend of lines!

Ron

[Michael Gowell]

I believe it was Kermit the Frog {Seseame Street} who sang
"It isn't easy being green..." #There might be a mando adaption available there. #Wait a minute, wasn't there a long-ago thread about little ceramic figures of frogs playing mandolins...unhh...sensing convergence of forces...

[Dale Ludewig]

Hey Big Joe, thanks. But I'd like to see the day Gibson would come out with a green one. I think I (and about a thousand other people) would fall over. I'll have it with me at IBMA and perhaps we'll git together with it. And a MM. I'll see you there.

Thanks Antlurz, and all the rest. By the way, Ron, your tag line should be tatooed into my forehead. Except that that would just remind her. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[mad dawg]

Nice work Dale -- looks like it would be perfect for picking some Irish!

[van]

I love it Dale, A+! I wanted to do an oval on my #9 but went with the F-holes. Now I wish I had went with the Oval. Ain't it fun to be a Luither? Makes life worth living. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[mandobsessed]

That mando looks absolutely amazing. My keyboard is covered in drool. (and no I haven't touched a banjo)

[BlueMountain]

I love the headstock design and the pickguard.

[Mark Walker]

Beautiful! Reminds me a little bit of a purple Silver Angel Ken Ratcliff made for a guy's wife about a year ago!

[flairbzzt]

Very nice-btw, how much for the couch? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Dale Ludewig]

Richard, you'd have to ask my wife about that. She bought it. But it's long enough that even old 6'2" of me can lay done betweed the arms. Also remember the people that delivered it had to stand it on end to get it through the door way. Made it by a half inch. I thought I was going to have to take out the picture window.

So, I'm in a motel on my way to Na$$$$hville. Greenie is with me. Then a couple blue ones, an EL mando, an EL mandola. Oh yeah, there's two "regular" looking one also. This should be a blast. No sleep til next Sunday night. Well worth it.

[kyblue]

This mando looks even better in person, and sounds great, too.

Enjoying IBMA,

Paula

[Big Joe]

Yes it does! It is even more beautiful in person than in the picture and it sounds great. A good jazz style mandolin. Dale has some cool mandos with him. It was a joy to see and play them!

[rmcintos]

Oh my...looking forward to meeting it.
Rob

[F5G WIZ]

I recently got to spend the whole day with Dale when I was on a visit to Chicago for work. I instantly fell in love with this Mando. The green color is just amazing and to top it off it is housed in a green Calton case with green felt lining! Being a Bluegrasser I'm not usually attracted to styles other than traditional F5 stuff. But when I opened the case to this mando, I was GREEN (excuse the pun) with envy! I will own one some day. May cause a divorce but so be it! And the sound was just amazing. DAle had at least a half dozen instruments for me to play but this one just drew me in. Wonderful, wonderful instrument! Here are a couple pics.

[F5G WIZ]

By the end of the day I had traded in my Gibson hat for a Ludewig Mandolin hat! Me and Dale and Buster too.