View Full Version : Favorite Design Elements
Daniel Nestlerode
Mar-31-2006, 1:24pm
The accountant/wife and I had a hard look at our finances for the next year and decided I can look into ordering a custom mandolin. #YAY! #So I've been having conversations with folks and looking at pictures of ALL kinds of mandolins, and developed a set of design elements that I like on F style mandolins. #(These are non-sonic things. #Sonic issues will take precedence over merely visual design elements)
Starting at the top:
- Ebony/black headstock veneer on both sides
- Torch & wire inlay or double flowerpot inlay, though something custom and cool is not excluded here
- Binding around the headstock & fretboard
- No block fretboard inlays (yuck)
- Madison Montgomery (http://www.vintagemandolin.com/05montgomeryf5_11.html)'s fretboard ends. #Yowzah!
- Scooped or abbreviated fretboard end (but not the "Bush" kind), I don't like striking wood with my pick
- 'Teens F2 binding (http://www.vintagemandolin.com/14gibsonf2_16632_522035.html). #They don't have binding from the inside of the scroll to the fretboard. #This gives the scroll more of an illusion of motion than the full binding.
- Pickguard is not important to me, but I'd prefer an abbreviated version to the full size.
- 12" radius fretboard
- Full-ish neck with a slight "v"
- Binding around the heel cap on the back, if the back is bound. #I don't dig the Flatiron way of running the binding behind the heel cap.
- Tobacco-burst if I go with F holes.
- Black face if I go with an oval hole. Then the b&s should be either a light #'burst or an amber to contrast well with the top and highlight the wood figure
I'm not married to any of this, really. #But it's fun looking around and deciding what I like when I actually have the option of seriously considering it! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Anyone else collecting design elements they like?
Daniel
JEStanek
Mar-31-2006, 1:37pm
Considering an alternative to the headstock shape? Monteleone, Holst, Bulldog, Lewis-esque? Different tailpieces than the trad shape (Hamlett's, Orrico)? I see what you're saying about the Teens F2 biniding. Nice on a black top. I like the three piece neck (Black strip down the middle) for the back side. Simarly colored wooden (to the side and back) or ebony tuner buttons).
That's what I like...
Jamie
Jim M.
Mar-31-2006, 1:44pm
Although I like the look of some of the non-trad tailpieces, I've got say that the Bill James tailpiece, though traditional looking, is an engineering wonder, and I highly recommend it.
Daniel Nestlerode
Mar-31-2006, 2:12pm
Tailpieces:
I have 2 instruments with Randy Allen's handiwork on them (had a third before I sold it). #I love his design. #I also like the James tp a lot. #About the only thing I've ruled out with regard to tp's is the standard Gibson 2 piece.
Headstocks:
If I go with a full on Art Deco design, then the Radio Flyer style of headstock (ala Steven Holst and John Monteleone) will naturally be a #part of that. #But' I'm not really headed in that direction.
- I like Larry Muth (http://users.accesscomm.ca/muthmandolins/m27.htm)'s non-trad design. #
- I like Dale Ludewig's Emory Lester Model (http://www.ludewigmandolins.com/EmoryLesterModel.HTM) headstock design, though that last e string tuning machine sticks so far out that I'm afraif I'd bend the post in the first week of ownership.
- I like James DeCava (http://www.decava.com/decava_limehouse_blues_front_pic.htm)'s headstock too, maybe a little more than the Muth. I fact I like the whole visual vibe of that instrument. #Patina is cool. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
- I like the Rigel headstock design too. #
But I think, unless I get an A model that I'll go with the traditional headstock design.
Daniel
Chip Booth
Mar-31-2006, 3:16pm
My Flatiron has triple ply binding but the ply is on the side of instrument not the top, making the top look like single ply. I prefer it the other way around.
I really like tortis binding with a thin white layer, but it can be really subtle, especially on a dark instrument.
Wood pickguards.
I like small vine patterns on the headstock, Collings and Neil Dean come to mind.
I also like non traditional tailpieces, but the James is so good I expect that's what I'll end up with.
I really like one piece backs, especially flamed maple that is at an angle to the grain.
Fretboard inlay that's not a dot. Just something else please, subtle, and maybe tied into the headstock design.
I love the scooped Florida. I don't like the Madison Montgomery fretboard at all, but then, hey, I like block inlay http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
bluegrassjack2
Mar-31-2006, 4:06pm
What's the Bill James tail piece look like?
Daniel Nestlerode
Mar-31-2006, 10:59pm
Here you go (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=30337;hl=james+tailpie ce;st=0), a James tailpiece.
Daniel
Adam Tracksler
Apr-01-2006, 6:18am
Check out John Hamletts tailpiece, Links to pic. (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=33546) Scroll down a bit to see it. I have two and like the way they look and work. You may want to check him out to build your mando.
chuck.naill
Apr-01-2006, 10:58am
Congrats, hopefully you can get one built sooner than later. I really liked the Madison Montgomery's fret board.
Have you considered any builders for you masterpeice? One builder suggested being familiar with the body of work of the builder before placing the order.
Keep us posted.
Chuck
Daniel Nestlerode
Apr-01-2006, 4:39pm
Oh, I'm considering MANY things right now http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Short list:
1) Brentrup 23L
2) Brock F5
3) Le Stock (Arrow Guitars) guitar shaped octave mandolin
But I'm also intrigued by the Lyon & Healy inspired work of
Will Hirsch (http://www.hirschguitars.com/) and Neil Dean (http://www.neiljdeanmandolins.com/mandolins.html). Speaking of L & H, there's a cool looking tailpiece and headstock combo.
Best of all I'm having fun exploring web sites, collecting ideas, and looking at prices and wait lists.
Daniel
Don't forget fossilized walrus ivory tone bars! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Daniel Nestlerode
Apr-01-2006, 5:07pm
Check out John Hamletts tailpiece, Links to pic. (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=33546) Scroll down a bit to see it. I have two and like the way they look and work. You may want to check him out to build your mando.
Is John's tp cast or made from sheet metal (or something else entirely)? If it's cast, I'm very interested.
Daniel
kyblue
Apr-01-2006, 5:46pm
Daniel,
Be sure to check out Fletcher's guitar shaped octaves, too.
There's not a person that's played my that hasn't raved about it.
Paula
kyblue
Apr-01-2006, 6:02pm
To the original question, things I like -
Non-traditional look (don't care for bursts or traditional inlays, although I have them on a couple of mandos because I bought them for sound.) I agree Neil Dean creates some good looking stuff.
Some great looking wood, shown off to best advantage.
Great craftmanship (Brock, Hamlett, Kimble, Duff, etc.)
2 points
I'm thinking of going with a 'changeable' inlay on my next instead of something permanent on the peghead, a custom truss rod cover something like the one I have from Bill Nichols.
I like both the Bill James tailpiece and the Hamlett tailpiece. Bill's is a bit too traditional looking but a great design.
Tortoise or wood binding on a blonde.
Abbreviated pickguard.
I'm working with John Hamlett on one. Love his idea of creating the design in photoshop so I can see what he has in mind. (John, let me know when you need some money. It probably should be soon before something else tempts me! Ken Cartwright got into my wallet earlier this week.)
Paula
To the original question: I don't like the tuners on F's with the different length tuner shafts. The equal length tuners as on most A's are much more comfortable to use.
Aesthetics is one thing but I feel the un-equal length tuners get in the way of functionality just a tad too much.
Daniel Nestlerode
Apr-10-2006, 1:28pm
new additions:
- Tapered headstock (front to back)
- Saddle that doesn't show the post holes and has slightly rounded edges
- One piece back
- These (http://www.bernunzio.com/item.php?sku=069678) rather than block inlays (or conversely no inlay on the fretboard at all)
- The 3 dimensionality of the heel cap on the teens Gibson F2's and F4's
Where will it end? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Daniel
Daniel Nestlerode
Apr-10-2006, 1:32pm
Don't forget fossilized walrus ivory tone bars! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Somehow I missed this post the first time around.
But Hans if you're willing to shorten my stay on the waiting list, I'm willing to try 'em! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Daniel