New Tope F5 -Super Quilt!

[ok-kiddo]

Gary Tope from Benton Harbor, Michigan just finished #013, and it's a killer piece in every way. Thin, abalone fern, ebony fingerboard with 12-inch radius, master-grade Adirondak top, Steve Smith bridge and abbreviated pickguard, and French polished. And, oh yeah, the most wicked quilt ever on the back and sides!! All for less than a quarter of the cost of a varnished Gibson Master Model. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[ok-kiddo]

A side view of Tope F5 #013. See Gary's website at http://www.topeinstruments.com/ Wow http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[ok-kiddo]

Oh yes, the front of the Tope F5. Sweet! Terrific cut and even across the tonal spectrum.

[pickinNgrinnin]

Beautiful!

[ShaneJ]

As Frank Barone would say, "Holy ####!". http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[levin4now]

Geez that's really sweet. Great worksmanship, and unbelievable quilt.

[Lane Pryce]

Drool city ---- gotta have a bib everytime I look at that beauty. She is definately a "centerfold quality" F5. Lp

[Mark Walker]

I agree with Lane - drool, drool. And to think, that guy's 45 minutes down the road from me. Is that quilted maple from here in Michigan? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[tope]

Thx much to ya'll, it was a fun one to put together. Thats a Bigleaf maple and I'm not really sure where it originated. I'm still looking for a source for Michigan maple. Any Ideas?.......Gary

[craigtoo]

Great Looking mando.. wow...
thanks for that...

craig

[Phil Jolly]

That is simply stunning, you could get lost in that quilt.

[ERIC JAMES]

Very Nice !!!
Jim

[Mark Walker]

Gary - I'll snoop around - I've got a brother in the 'wood' business. #We figure there should be decent curly or other intriguing maple here in this 'hardwood' state. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Albert Whiting]

That is a very nice mandolin! LOL @ Frank Barone

[MML]

Wow is right...thats a beautiful mando, the back wood is
spec-tac-u-lar. congrats http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[ok-kiddo]

Oh yeah, I forgot to direct everyone's attention to the boxed binding, also called triple binding. Just look at the binding on the points! Number #013 is bound ivroid/black/ivorid everywhere. Gary Tope is a master of perfection.:)

[grandmainger]

Wow! That's one glorious piece of wood! Superb.

[Dale Ludewig]

That is beautiful.

[Tom C]

Beautiful. I really like the burst. Any reason the neck was not made from the same type of maple?

[Chris Baird]

That certainly is a fantasic looking mandolin. The likely reason for the difference between woods on the neck and back is that quilted figure shows best on the slab cut and most builders feel a slab cut neck is too unstable.

[Philip Halcomb]

Fantastic looking mandolin, I'm sure she sounds as good as she looks...

[Spruce]

"I'm still looking for a source for Michigan maple. Any Ideas?"

Woodfinder (http://www.woodfinder.com/) might be a good place to start...

[Daniel Nestlerode]

Nicely done.

And boy I'm glad I splurged last month and got the 22" iMac G5. That second picture is w i d e. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Daniel

[tope]

Yep Chris was right. The reason the neck is curly is for stability.

[ellisppi]

Gary said ok for me to post this. Here is a recent mandolin of mine that has a back from the same board. I bought the wood out of Oregon in 1983. Maybe these sister mandolins will someday meet.

[Mark Walker]

Wow... Are those some stunning mandolin backs or WHAT? VERY cool Gary and Tom! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[tope]

Tom, Thanks for the pic. I had no idea that the mando I made for ok-kiddo had a sister. Surprising how similar those backs are.