Anyone got any new builds in the works?
Yes, just got some wood today for the next two builds! I'll be using some nice instrument grade wood this time, even though my construction grade spiral cut cedar/poplar mando experimental build did turn out sounding and playing very well! Here is a photo for you all. Maple from Old Standard and I sourced some local Colorado Engelmann spruce for the tops. Planning on building an F5 for the next build and then ??? for #3.
Beautiful! I've started a vintage Fender jag restoration while I've been gone. Working my way up to the intense art of handcrafting acoustic instruments, and already seeing how difficult this all is, and I've gained so much admiration for mando builders.
Very nice - keep us in the loop.
Just got the top and back joined, hopefully I will have some time in the next couple weeks to make some more progress. Have to build new body building molds since this will be my first F style. I'll keep adding pics to my build #2 photo album under my profile.
Nice!
I have been working on bending the sides and was having some difficulty with the figured maple splitting. I found that in order to get a good bend with no splits or cracks I had to plane the sides down more than I thought. Once I got them nice and thin, bending has been coming along nicely.
Just got the sides clamped in the mold to dry after bending, next step will be to glue the blocks and linings.
Great work! People like you amaze me, so much talent... Keep it up!
Got to work in the shop this weekend and made some good progress. The rim is all glued up and ready for linings and truing up to make sure it is flat and true. Started carving the top and back as well.
Awesome! I love spruce.
And here is some maple. I'll get the final touches and sanding after gluing it up.
Wow, great. Is this for yourself or someone else?
I am building it for myself although I already have wood for #3. I think once I finish #3, I will keep the one I like best and sell the other. Either that or I will build something like a 3 point f style oval hole and just keep adding to my growing mandolin collection...
:D I like where you're going with this.
Just starting to get the binding on. What a challenge. I got Andrew Mowry's article on binding in American Lutherie. Boy, does he make it look easy! I think it will look alright after it is scraped and finished though.
It looks great! You want to watch those corners,, haha... Biggest PITA.
Looks great!
Thanks for the kind words, fellas. I will probably wait to scrape the binding and sand the body while I start working on the neck. This should give the binding time to shrink back down after swelling slightly from the acetone in the binding glop I used for adhesive. I'll hopefully start working on binding the headstock veneer soon too.
And yes, all those little corners and the tight bends in the scroll were pains! This whole project gives me a lot of respect for those great builders out there.
Nearly finished up with binding and getting ready for inlays.
Getting close to finishing. Here is a teaser...
Nice!!!
Got to staining this weekend. Hand rubbed sunburst.
Amazing... You do realize this group is for BEGINNING builders, right?
I agree, that looks fantastic. Great job on the sunburst -- it's not there to hide anything. I love the Roman numeral fret markers. Excellent all around.
Thanks for the encouragement, guys! This is the first time for me doing any kind of wood staining and I think that it has turned out pretty well. The only problem at this point is that I am able to see a few scratches after staining that I didn't notice before. Im still haven't decided if I want to sand the whole thing and re-stain or call it good enough and spray the finish.
Aaron, that is such a beautiful instrument you have created, man!
Thanks, John. It has been a fun project. I can't wait to play it! Here is a pic of the first coat of varnish in my make-shift cardboard spray booth.
Done!
Looks awesome, great sunburst, and I love those Roman numerals. How's it play?