Hilburn #39

[Jim Hilburn]

This one is obviously a custom order.

[Jim Hilburn]

This is definitely not quite as red as the photo makes it seem

[Jim Hilburn]

I've posted this in some other threads, but heres the back.

[Jim Hilburn]

Another.

[Jim Hilburn]

Did you say you wanted to see the tailpiece?
This is a Bill James that was engraved by Weldon Lyster and plated in silver.

[Jim Hilburn]

I was asked to try to inlay some Texas Bluebonnet's.
Here's what I came up with.

[Jonathan James]

Yowsa! Great work, as usual, Jim!

Wonderful to see a top luthier do such beautiful, custom creative work on a order. I'm sure the owner will have a keeper for life.

[levin4now]

Absolutely beautiful Jim. Love the mandolin. The back is unreal. Finish appears flawless. How about that tailpiece and inlay? What did you use as material for the bluebonnets?

[Darryl Wolfe]

Hello Jim,

That is very tastefully done..congrats

[testore]

As always, just about the most inspirational stuff on the planet...back to work. GREAT STUFF JIM

[Lane Pryce]

O Yeah!!! Love to see those A's. Supurb. What is the early consensus on the tone? Lp

[Doug Edwards]

WOW! Now that's what I'm talking about! The owner must be from our area, one of those new Bartlet Shale gas well owners.

Great job.

[Keith Erickson]

Jim,

I'm going to petition Governor Rick Perry to make you an Honorary Citizen of the State of Texas. The job you did on that tail piece and head stock is a straight up class act.

Thank you for doing just a fine outstanding job http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Jim Hilburn]

Here's one of the photo's I had to use for the bluebonnet's for those of you who aren't familiar with them.
Keith, while not a resident of Texas, I was born there and my family is still there.
The odd part is the guy that's getting this lives in Africa.

[red7flag]

Very nice work. Jim.
Tony

[Bill James]

Jim that's just gorgeous, love the inlay and I'm already looking forward to #40. Very nice.

[Antlurz]

A stunning collection of beautiful parts http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Ron

[Doug Edwards]

A another special touch would be the Texas Star in pearl inlay on the TRC.

[Mike Blohm]

Jim. A big pat on the back from me. Great job...

[Keith Erickson]

Keith, while not a resident of Texas, I was born there...

Jim,

It's okay I won't hold it against you that you left us. #But a good reason to come back to Texas is that we still don't have an state income tax despite the best efforts of many that have failed miserably. # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Jim, #Seriously only ribbin' ya there. #That mandolin is an absolute work of art. #I'm truly impressed.


The odd part is the guy that's getting this lives in Africa.

I hope that it makes it to Africa and doesn't make that left turn in Albuquerque and south on to El Paso instead #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Seriously someone in Africa will be happy as a clam when it arrives.

[ShaneJ]

Jim, that's beautiful - as usual, just in an other-than-usual way. You're doing Abilene proud! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Bill Snyder]

Really beautiful Jim. Is the blue recon stone?

[DryBones]

I can't believe you didn't inlay the word "TEXAS" down the fingerboard as the fret markers http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #looks great as is though!

[Scotti Adams]

Another Classic from Mr. Hilburn...looks real nice.

[JEStanek]

IF drops of drool were nickels you'd be rich! That is a fine looking mandolin Mr. Hillburn.

Jamie

[mandopete]

Jim,

I'm begging, begging I say, stop posting these pictures before I end up cashing in my stock options. This is one of the prettiest A's I have ever seen - even if it's got the Lone Star State all over it!

Pete

[Dan Adams]

#39 now! Gets better every time. I need to come to the shop to visit and play these things before they get shipped. Wow.. Another beauty! Dan

[Keith Owen]

Wow, just wow.

[ellisppi]

Jim,
Great job as always, (and YOU won the race)

[Tom C]

The odd part is the guy that's getting this lives in Africa.

So, he's paying you twice the price for the mando, you can keep 80% and Western Union the balance back King Abdula of Kimmikinatin when shipping the mando?

Nice mando http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Jim Hilburn]

Tom, how did you know that? I thought the details were secret.

[jim_n_virginia]

Most of the time I don't care for the designs builder's come up with when they try to create a different headstock than the traditional but I really like this one.

It is simple yet very tasteful. One thing though... I was looking at the binding at the top left of the headstock. Is that the camera or was that a trouble spot in binding the headstock?

I really like the inlay, very vibrant and striking. And the tailpiece makes me want to rip mine off and get one like it.

Really beautiful mandolin. Thanks for the eye candy. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Keith Erickson]

And the tailpiece makes me want to rip mine off and get one like it.
I totally agree!!! I keep going back to check out that tail piece.

I can't get enough of these pictures.

[Jim Hilburn]

Yeah, I really botched the job there, with the camera anyway. Just reflection.

[Jim Hilburn]

Here, try this one.

[jimbob]

I've been fishing at Lake Texoma for the past few weeks and haven't had e-mail access. I received the mandolin about a week ago. It's even prettier in person and it sounds just great. I am very pleased and proud to own it. Jim & I started to put a set of Longhorns on the 12th fret
( UT is the national champions now) but decided to go with the bluebonnets and TP. The TP is very cool. The engraving is beautiful. All in all, this is a very nice mandolin. Thanks, Jim ! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[jasona]

Beautiful work!