My Morris A-5 Build Process

[weleetkaoutlaws]

About mid-December 2007 I began thinking about having an A style mandolin built from a smaller luthier. I contacted three in my search, and ultimately chose Howard Morris.

Howard builds mandolins (A, F, & 2-point) in Oregon. He has numerous builds, and very satisfied customers. His pricing is NOT astronomical like some of the other builders.

In this thread I will try to document the build of my A-5 (should be delivered by March 2008) through emails from Howard, pictures, etc.

So far, all we have are raw specs on what I wanted. They are:

A-5 Style
Bear claw spruce top
Flamed maple B/S
Radiused ebony fretboard
.080 fretwire
Vintage Sunburst finish
Schaller "A-Style" tuners
Hardshell Case

Howard will be emailing me pics of the set(s) of bear claw spruce and maple for me to choose from. I will post these pictures when I receive them.

Will update as needed, if anyone is remotely interested in watching/following this build from a great American builder.

[weleetkaoutlaws]

Here are some pics of an A-5 that Howard is currently working on. I'll add the pics of the spruce and maple for my A-5 later.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/CurrentA5MorrisFront.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/CurrentA5MorrisBack.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/CurrentA5MorrisHeadstock.jpg

This should look fantastic when it is completed. He's still got quite a bit of work left on this one.

[tnpathfinder]

Here is a sound clip of my Morris A5.
I posted this in another thread but thought I would post it here also.
Morris A5 - I'll Fly Away (http://www.highlandrimbluegrass.com/tunes/I'll_Fly_Away.mp3)

[weleetkaoutlaws]

mandopluker, that's not my A-5. That is one that Howard is currently working on. Mine will be next in the pipeline. I should receive the pics of the spruce and maple today to choose from.

[weleetkaoutlaws]

Here are the pics of the raw materials for my Morris A-5.

Raw Bear Claw Spruce Top
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/RawSpruceFront.jpg


Raw Maple Back & Headstock Overlay
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/RawMapleBack.jpg


I spoke with Howard at length this morning, and I will use his (standard, handmade) bone nut and his own (standard, handmade) radiused ebony bridge. I did choose to use Schaller A Tuners in nickel, as well as a nickel James Tailpiece. I had these items sent directly to Howard today for use on my mandolin. He'll set it up and string it with J74's.

He will use the same burst finish as the one pictured above in this post (tobacco), in nitrocellulose lacquer.

He indicated the actual build will start this weekend.

[mboucher]

Do you have any concern, or should there be, that the necks on Morris mandolins do not have an adjustable truss rod. I too was thinking about his 2 point but I was shying away because of this issue.

Mark

[weleetkaoutlaws]

I don't. I have talked to numerous others who have a Morris, and there are a lot of older (quality) mandolins that don't have adjustable truss rods.

I asked Howard directly about this at the outset because it was a concern. He said he's built plenty of them, and has never had a problem. He also said that with that short of a neck it is rarely a concern. He assured me the neck would be as stable as a neck with an adjustable truss rod and should never present a problem.

BTW, that 2 point in the classifieds is a nice looking mandolin.

[weleetkaoutlaws]

I too was thinking about his 2 point.....

Mark
Have you seen the pics of the 2 point. If not, PM me, and I'll forward them to you.

[tnpathfinder]

That is some nice looking flame.

[Tracy Ballinger]

Hey, your mandolin and mine will be siblings! Howard's building me a 2-point and is supposed to also start mine this weekend. Can't wait! We'll have to compare pics as we get them. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Tracy

[weleetkaoutlaws]

Congrats Tracy!!

Howard actually started on mine on Wednesday. The Schallers and James tailpiece will be to him on Tuesday.

I upgraded....and bought a new Eastman CAMD-16 fiberglass case. It fits either A or F mandolins, and each dealer that I checked with confirmed this. Got a great deal on it. It just made sense to me to put it in that case at the price I paid for it, rather than a $99.00 case. It was only about $20.00 more.

Tracy, I'll post pics as soon as I receive them in this thread. I can't wait to see yours. I have a picture of the 2 point that's in the classifieds...it's SCHWEET!!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

What wood(s) did you choose to go with?

[Tracy Ballinger]

Tracy, I'll post pics as soon as I receive them in this thread. #I can't wait to see yours. #I have a picture of the 2 point that's in the classifieds...it's SCHWEET!!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

What wood(s) did you choose to go with?
He makes some very nice-looking 2-points. I must admit that the asymmetrical ones drive me a little nutso! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif That's why I like Howard's.

I went with an oval hole, tobacco brown finish, no sunburst, with the laminated neck. Top will be sitka spruce; sides and back, curly maple. I can't wait! I'll post pics if he sends me any. If not, I'll post pics when I get it! I don't know how people wait months or even years... I only ordered mine Wednesday and am already champing at the bit! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

Tracy

[weleetkaoutlaws]

Relax...Tracy!! It'll be there before you know it. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Howard just told me the serial number to mine.....number 118. Yours will be close to that probably.

[weleetkaoutlaws]

Do you have any concern, or should there be, that the necks on Morris mandolins do not have an adjustable truss rod. I too was thinking about his 2 point but I was shying away because of this issue.

Mark
Mark, I finally got around to the pics of his 2 point:

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/MorrisTwoPointFront.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/MorrisTwoPointBack.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/MorrisTwoPointNeckBack.jpg

[weleetkaoutlaws]

Howard just sent me pictures of the A he was working on when I placed my order. The pictures, in progress, are above dated January 27, 2008.

Here it is complete:

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/CurrentA5MorrisFrontFinished.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/CurrentA5MorrisBackFinished.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/CurrentA5MorrisHeadstockFinished.jpg


Tracy, this is the triplet...another sibling. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[weleetkaoutlaws]

Here's mine, assembly starts tomorrow:

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/MyA5Top.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/MyA5BackNeckRims.jpg

[Steve Cantrell]

I remember well my pics from my first mandolin under construction. Man, that's a good feeling...If it looks half as good as that other A5, it should be a beauty.

[Tracy Ballinger]

Howard emailed me pics this evening. It's coming along wonderfully! I had no idea it would be so exciting to receive the first pictures of it - I won't be able to sleep tonight! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

Tracy

[Tracy Ballinger]

Well, phooey! Thought I had figured out how to do multiples pics in one post - NOT! Here they are separately.

[Tracy Ballinger]

Back, neck and sides

[Tracy Ballinger]

And last but not least, the top.

[Tracy Ballinger]

Here's mine, assembly starts tomorrow:
Looks GREAT! As does the A he finished.

[mboucher]

That 2 point is beautiful. I may have to consider that.

Mark

[weleetkaoutlaws]

Ready for the back............

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/ReadyForBack.jpg

....and a direct quote from the builder.......

"This is going to be a very nice mandolin."

I have to concur with Howard. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Tracy Ballinger]

Looking good! I'm excited for you. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Tracy

[weleetkaoutlaws]

Right back at ya' Tracy...I'm excited for both of us. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Tracy Ballinger]

Here's the latest progress on mine - ready for the back.

[weleetkaoutlaws]

Ready for stain....tomorrow:

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/A5FrontCompleteReadyToStain.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/A5BackCompleteReadyToStain.jpg

[Tracy Ballinger]

My girl is ready, too. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Tracy Ballinger]

And the back...

[Tracy Ballinger]

And here she is with the stain.

Front:

[Tracy Ballinger]

And the back.

[weleetkaoutlaws]

My A-5 stained:

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/A5FrontStained.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/A5BackStained.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/A5HeadstockStained.jpg

[Tracy Ballinger]

That back is going to come alive when he gets the finish on! Even the peghead has some pop! Looks really, really good.

Tracy

[weleetkaoutlaws]

Tracy...I love that 2 point!!!!

I think both of them are going to come alive when the finish goes on. The top on mine has a lot of silking that will really show when the lacquer goes on too.

Are you getting excited...yet...more?

[Tracy Ballinger]

You bet! I could hardly sleep last night! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[weleetkaoutlaws]

It won't be long now................... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[weleetkaoutlaws]

Seal coat..front, back, headstock:

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/A5FrontSealCoat.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/A5BackSealCoat.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/A5HeadstockSealCoat.jpg

[Tracy Ballinger]

BEE-U-TEE-FULL!! Looks really great. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Tracy

[Tracy Ballinger]

I was jealous for a minute, until I noticed I had new mail! Howard emailed me the latest on mine. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Tracy Ballinger]

And the back

[weleetkaoutlaws]

Schweet!!!!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[weleetkaoutlaws]

Just received word from Howard that the next pics will be in about ten days...at completion. A lot of lacquer between now and then.

Woo-Hoo!!

[weleetkaoutlaws]

Just got some pics of a Morris F...thought I'd share...I think this is on eBay (somewhere)...NFI

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/MorrisFHeadstock.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/MorrisF.jpg

[weleetkaoutlaws]

Now, is there another Morris builder?

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/OtherMorrisF.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/OtherMorrisFTwo.jpg

These are at Ozark Mountain Music in Arkansas....again...NFI....are they the same Morris or another Morris? Anyone?

[Tracy Ballinger]

Scrolls looks the same on the F5's, and it has the dark points like Howard uses. Pegheads are simplified. Might be some of his earlier ones?

Tracy

[weleetkaoutlaws]

Tracy...that was my initial thoughts as well.

[Tracy Ballinger]

Some other pics I've found...

[Tracy Ballinger]

[Tracy Ballinger]

[Tracy Ballinger]

[Tracy Ballinger]

[Tracy Ballinger]

[Tracy Ballinger]

[weleetkaoutlaws]

Over the past couple of days I have exchanged emails with a fellow mandolinist from Moscow, Russia. The Morris F on page 2 of this thread (scroll headstock) was just purchased by him. He just sent me pictures of the back...and if I get to feeling better and have some time I'll try to post them.

It's always great to converse with others about something you share...this one, even more so. Hopefully he'll register here and share his knowledge.

[Tracy Ballinger]

My 2 point is finished! Here's the latest pics; should ship early next week. Whoohoo! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Tracy Ballinger]

And the back...

[weleetkaoutlaws]

Well, bringing up the rear...here's mine complete:

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/MorrisA5Front118.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/MorrisA5Back118.jpg

[weleetkaoutlaws]

...and the final two:

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/MorrisA5Headstock118.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s314/weleetkaoutlaws/Morris%20Mandolin%20Build/MorrisA5InCase118.jpg

[Tracy Ballinger]

Scott, that's gorgeous! I'd love to see the back in person; I bet there's a lot of play in that flaming! Heck, I can't wait to see MINE in person! lol Howard has done an amazing job on both of them.

Tracy

[weleetkaoutlaws]

Tracy..I'm not sure if there is, or can be, a better value out there right now. Both of these are beautiful, and I imagine they will sound the same.

I'm having mine picked up Monday via 2 day air. So next Wednesday I should have it in my mitts. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[acousticphd]

Both these two new Morris mandos look very nice. I think the nicer woods, radiused fingerboards, better tuners, and other cosmetic touches are all improvements to appreciate.

Mine looks ~identical to the photo of #54 above.

[weleetkaoutlaws]

I agree Jeff. The upgraded tuners and tailpiece won't make it sound any better, but it should be "functionally" better.

Now the wait begins on the Brown truck. It's a long time until Wednesday. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[weleetkaoutlaws]

Well, it arrived this afternoon about 5:30. I am absolutely stunned at the sound and the craftsmanship. I've had the opportunity to play several nice (American made) A's...and owned a very early Breedlove Quartz. The Morris is every bit as nice...and tonally maybe better...especially right out of the box. It is STOOPID loud for an A. If I had to use just one word to describe the tone it would be sweet.

I will post a full review (in the appropriate section) with some hi-res pics...and hopefully some soundclips in the coming days. Anyone looking at a Pac-Rim instrument due to price should look at this American builder seriously. He's priced under them...and given the Pac-Rims I've owned and played...beats them in spades.

Thanks to all who have read and followed this....and thanks to Mr. Morris.

[Tracy Ballinger]

My 2-point came Thursday afternoon. I haven't had a lot of time to play it yet, but already know that it's a wonderful instrument! It has a great sound, and like Scott's, is loud. A pluck on the open G will ring for an amazing 19 seconds! Craftmanship is flawless. Howard did an fabulous job. I haven't been around a lot of mandolins so don't really know how to describe the tone, but I can say that the G sounds rich and full, the E is not thin or tinny-sounding, and the D and A are perfectly in between.

Today is the first day that I can actually spend some time with it, so I'm off to do just that!

Tracy