pickinNgrinnin
May-06-2006, 9:40pm
Adrian Minarovic, a.k.a. "Hogan" is now working on his 7th and 8th Mandolins. I'm fortunate to be in line to receive #7. The wood for #7 was supplied by Bruce Harvie's Orca Island Tonewoods. The top is Sitka Spruce from Alaska. The back, sides and neck are Big Leaf Maple from Washington state. This will be the first Mandolin I've had built for me. It's nice to be able to have some input on how the Mandolin will look and to have it built to suit my ears and hands.
Adrian has been great to work with. I'm sure I've been wearing him out with all of my questions and emails. I'm amazed with the knowledge he has in regard to everything Mandolin. I know some of you out there have purchased his Mandolins plans through Elderly. Adrian lives in Zvolen, Slovakia. He has an extensive Math and Computer Programming background and is currently teaching Mathematics. In addition, he is an accomplished Mandolin player. There is probably not much he can't do but he did tell me that he can't dance. Sorry Adrian http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
He builds his Mandolins with few power tools. Just a bandsaw and router at a friend's workshop for rough cutting and shaping. He uses a hand drill, but that really doesn't
count as a power tool. Most of the work is done in an old fashion way with hand saws, knives, scrapers, chisels, gouges, and planes.
#7 will have a varnish finish, triple binding (his first with IBI binding) radiused fretboard and a Scrimshaw Bald Eagle on the headstock. A Deer Antler nut and Bridge cap come standard along with a Pearwood bound pickguard.
As you can imagine, I can't wait to have this in my hands for I know it is going to be a great Mandolin. Here are some pictures in the construction phase. I'll post more as Adrian sends them to me.
Adrian has been great to work with. I'm sure I've been wearing him out with all of my questions and emails. I'm amazed with the knowledge he has in regard to everything Mandolin. I know some of you out there have purchased his Mandolins plans through Elderly. Adrian lives in Zvolen, Slovakia. He has an extensive Math and Computer Programming background and is currently teaching Mathematics. In addition, he is an accomplished Mandolin player. There is probably not much he can't do but he did tell me that he can't dance. Sorry Adrian http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
He builds his Mandolins with few power tools. Just a bandsaw and router at a friend's workshop for rough cutting and shaping. He uses a hand drill, but that really doesn't
count as a power tool. Most of the work is done in an old fashion way with hand saws, knives, scrapers, chisels, gouges, and planes.
#7 will have a varnish finish, triple binding (his first with IBI binding) radiused fretboard and a Scrimshaw Bald Eagle on the headstock. A Deer Antler nut and Bridge cap come standard along with a Pearwood bound pickguard.
As you can imagine, I can't wait to have this in my hands for I know it is going to be a great Mandolin. Here are some pictures in the construction phase. I'll post more as Adrian sends them to me.