Ebony buttons

[red7flag]

Dave Harvey suggested these and I thought I would share how nice they look. They were plastic white ones before being replaced.

[red7flag]

Dave replaced the Schallers with Gibson Grovers. The Schallers turned the wrong way.

[red7flag]

The overall tuning seems easier tuning the right direction. This is more a close up. I hope you all enjoy these.
Tony

[bradeinhorn]

is that the lebeda?

[MikeEdgerton]

They look great. Can I ask where you got the buttons? Did they fit the Gibson Grovers or were the tuners modified?

[red7flag]

It is a Lebeda AM-4. Dave Harvey obtained the knobs. I do not think they were modified. I will add some pictures.
Tony

[red7flag]

The top.

[red7flag]

The back.

[red7flag]

The neck.

[red7flag]

The whole back.
The instrument has almost a classical sound to it. It's got the tone.
Tony

[mandomick]

I love the way the ebony buttoned Waverlys look on my BRW F but I can't hear a tonal difference between button materials the way some folks claim.

[MikeEdgerton]

I love the way the ebony buttoned Waverlys look on my BRW F but I can't hear a tonal difference between button materials the way some folks claim.
How old were the buttons? They have to age to open up before you can really hear the difference. That's the secret of the Stradivarius violins. Ebony tuners.

[JEStanek]

I love the look of wooden buttons. Tony, your's look great. I don't know if button material so far removed from the strings and upstream of the nut make any tonal difference but... they sure look nice.

Jamie

[MikeEdgerton]

I don't know if button material so far removed from the strings and upstream of the nut make any tonal difference but...

Oh sure, ruin my fun http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[mandolooter]

I only notice the difference in tone when it's out of tune...YMMV

[labraid]

I cut 'n' polish wood buttons for Schallers if anyone's interested in a set.

[JEStanek]

Sorry, Mike. I didn't read the playfulness. Folks make a lot of claims about factors influencing tone while being deadly serious. I shouldn't be surprised one day to read a discussion on the relative merits of cow leather vs. pig, calf, alligator, or synthetic polyester naugaheydes for post bridge string overtone dampening!

All sillyness aside, I love the look of wooden buttons. The only ones I like better are the inlaid Handel styles either vintage or the new ones Mike Blohm makes. I think a nice wooden button can really tie the instrument's look all together.

Jamie

[MikeEdgerton]

I shouldn't be surprised one day to read a discussion on the relative merits of cow leather vs. pig, calf, alligator, or synthetic polyester naugaheydes for post bridge string overtone dampening!
Wait, are you saying there isn't a difference? I was sold a bill of goods again....

[JEStanek]

Sucker! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Everyone knows the best material is original Loar case velvet, it's got the mojo and the benefit of disintegrated pickguard gasses to accentuate the mid-ranges.

Jamie

[MikeEdgerton]

I feel so used. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[red7flag]

I am curious about the Schallers that were on the dola. They turned the opposite direction than all my other instruments, as they turn clockwise vs counterclockwise. As the builder is European, I at first thought this might be a European convention. Can anybody explain this to me.
Tony

[DryBones]

can I get those ebony buttons for my Eastman 505?

[red7flag]

I suggest you talk to David Harvey at the Gibson Showcase. I am sure he will hook you up.
Tony