Finished at last!

[joshags03]

I've posted pictures of my progress here before but over the weekend I finally had time to put on the finishing touches. After final adjustments I think I'm getting a really nice sound. I haven't compared yet to any other mandolins but I think it'll hold up. It's loud and punchy with a great treble/bass range. Hopefully it won't fall apart the first time I play it around anyone http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[joshags03]

another look at the back...

[joshags03]

Inlay...

[joshags03]

And one more of the back...

[joshags03]

Last one...

[Tom C]

Wow, That is a killer #1

[levin4now]

Beautiful work. Beautiful wood. Beautiful mandolin. What quilt! it looks like the back is 'melting'.

[John Zimm]

Wow, that is truly beautiful. Great work.

-John.

[JD Cowles]

wow. that's your first? you need to quit whatever it is you're doing (unless it's building mandos) and start building mandolins. nice job. if it sounds half as good as it looks, you're in good shape.

jd

[b.pat]

What a beauty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Simply an amaizing first effort.
B.Pat

[mandoJeremy]

Love the back dude! I also love the cross inlay. Great job and I am looking forward to seeing #2.

[MANDOLINMYSTER]

Beautiful job, I love the color and the back wood is great.
Keep up the good work!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[joshags03]

Thanks guys... #2 is well on its way. I actually have the other half of the wood I used for this back ready for #2... can't wait to get it together.

[Skip Kelley]

Wow!! Great job! Love the quilted back!

[samuel]

heck if i can get my #1 to come out half as good as that then i will be more than pleased. what great work!!!

[Alekos]

Godlike!

[mad dawg]

This is beautiful innstrument, and the work looks of great quality, from the finish to the inlay. As this is your first mandolin, should we ask if you have built any other instruments before? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[joshags03]

I have only built only one other instrument before this and it was a fiddle. I can say the construction of a mandolin and fiddle are very different (other than the obvious) but I definitely enjoyed the mandolin a lot more. The fiddle helped me get an idea of how to graduate and get the general idea of carving but it was nowhere near enough to prepare me for the detailing of an F-5 mandolin. I did a varnish finish on my fiddle so the lacquer finish I did on this one was totally new to me. Thanks for all the encouraging remarks.

[mad dawg]

Again, exceptionally nice work. #Do you have any tips for the rest of us that might be starting on our number one at some time in the future?
(e.g., kits vs. from scratch, books & videos, must-have tools, etc.)

[joshags03]

I started from scratch equipped with the stewmac F-5 plans and the Roger Siminoff book. The best thing for me was having another builder to talk with. Reading on the cafe really helped. My cousin ("rmoss" on the cafe) started mandolins about the same time I was starting a violin. Even though we live 1500 miles apart we often talk back and forth giving each other tips along the way on the best way to do stuff, etc. He was definitely the biggest help to me.

As for tools... in my mind the more the better (within reason). I'm on a limited budget but I try not to do something until I have the tools I need to do it. Not only is this safer but it can save a lot of money in materials. Since I started building I've worked to accumulate the necessary tools to help me along to way. Needless to say #2 is going much smoother and faster than #1. Critical tools would probably be a bandsaw, gouge, plane, clamps, clamps, clamps, and lots of sandpaper. I've also found a drill press and belt sander to be a lot of help.

Long winded I know but hopefully it helps.

[Randy42649]

This is one of the prettiest backs I've seen. Great Job.
Randy

[Damnation Gulch]

Simply beautiful, the Southern Cross is it http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[mandoJeremy]

I love the Cross very much also DG but I think it is very much of Celtic nature. #

[Damnation Gulch]

I think that was sarcasm, eh? If not I truley meant it Celtic...

http://www.celt.com.au/

[mandoJeremy]

Thanks for the correction DG!

[Unseen122]

Wow now that is a MANDOLIN. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif