View Profile: sunburst - Mandolin Cafe Forum

Today, 1:20pm

sunburst replied to a thread Equipment advice please in Builders and Repair

Off topic, but exercise equipment especially gets discarded. I've built myself a mandolin several times so that I would learn to play. Still, I...

24 replies | 740 view(s)

Yesterday, 10:35pm

Jim Garber replied to a thread Polyetherimide plectra in Orchestral, Classical, Italian, Medieval, Renaissance

I was talking about the shape not the thickness. BC makes their 35 pick thickness which is 0.89mm. Perhaps you could see if they make that shape with...

24 replies | 1044 view(s)

Yesterday, 4:35pm

Jim Garber replied to a thread Mandolin Banjo? in General Mandolin Discussions

The only mandolin banjo (or banjo mandolin) I own is a small headed (~7") Weymann style 25. It has a skin head and I bought it back around the mid...

39 replies | 898 view(s)

Yesterday, 3:38pm

sunburst replied to a thread Fret Size in General Mandolin Discussions

I don't remember that last time I did frets with smaller ones in the upper positions, but there's no reason not to. The thing is, there is no...

33 replies | 13447 view(s)

Yesterday, 1:18pm

sunburst replied to a thread String width at the bridge in CBOM

Flat top, guitar-shaped OM for a customer. He doesn't have an OM yet, has not developed a preference. I'm just trying to get all the info I can...

12 replies | 242 view(s)

Yesterday, 12:31pm

sunburst replied to a thread String width at the bridge in CBOM

Graham, perhaps I'm doing something wrong (math and spacial things aren't strong subjects for me), but when I draw the individual string spacing from...

12 replies | 242 view(s)

Yesterday, 7:42am

Jim Garber replied to a thread Polyetherimide plectra in Orchestral, Classical, Italian, Medieval, Renaissance

isn’t this BC pick pretty close in shape to the Pickboy?

24 replies | 1044 view(s)

Yesterday, 1:45am

sunburst replied to a thread String width at the bridge in CBOM

True, once it's already built. I'm trying to go the other way; start with string spacing and make the board to "fit" under the strings. I've only...

12 replies | 242 view(s)

Jan-19-2021, 10:55pm

sunburst started a thread String width at the bridge in CBOM

What string width at the bridge do you folks prefer on an octave mandolin? What width as measured from 1st string to 8th string and what is your...

12 replies | 242 view(s)

Jan-19-2021, 10:46pm

sunburst replied to a thread Equipment advice please in Builders and Repair

Those of us who have been around for a while remember the days when "thickness sander" meant: (a) spend much more money than we can afford, or (b)...

24 replies | 740 view(s)

Jan-19-2021, 10:54am

Jim Garber replied to a thread What's your new fiddle tune? in Old-Time, Roots, Early Country, Cajun, Tex-Mex

Ones that come to mind immediately: Coleman’s March, Ashokan Farewell—actually a bunch of waltzes, Tombigbee is one. I’ll think some more.

2036 replies | 707812 view(s)

Jan-18-2021, 9:48pm

Jim Garber replied to a thread Winding string loop ends for 1890 Vinaccia in Equipment

I just wonder about the wound strings which unlike other mandolin strings have a nylon-like core similar I think to a classical guitar string. Am I...

9 replies | 296 view(s)

Jan-18-2021, 8:25pm

Jim Garber replied to a thread Pick Thickness in Theory, Technique, Tips and Tricks

I think it is matter of preferred genre. Players of Celtic music generally prefer lighter picks on either side of the Atlantic.

30 replies | 777 view(s)

Jan-18-2021, 6:59pm

Jim Garber replied to a thread Pick Thickness in Theory, Technique, Tips and Tricks

As you can tell there is no one answer but just about as many answers to our question as they are mandolin players. Think about it, though: if you...

30 replies | 777 view(s)

Jan-18-2021, 6:42pm

Jim Garber replied to a thread Winding string loop ends for 1890 Vinaccia in Equipment

Savarez site says: "Premium strings for mandolin are inspired by the strings of the 18th century and their so magical sound." Very interesting. But I...

9 replies | 296 view(s)

Jan-18-2021, 5:27pm

Jim Garber replied to a thread Seeking Grandfather's record in General Mandolin Discussions

For one, try contacting the Classical Mandolin Society of America (CMSA). Second, see if there is any mention of the group in older magazines,...

8 replies | 712 view(s)

Jan-18-2021, 11:25am

Jim Garber replied to a thread My wife has stored it for years,no markings I can see in Looking for Information About Mandolins

Keep it on the light side for sure. GHS A240 ultralights are good place to start.

16 replies | 25899 view(s)

Jan-17-2021, 8:02pm

sunburst replied to a thread Neck Block Materials in Builders and Repair

For a head block we want: -dimensional stability -good gluing properties -easy to carve/shape (especially if using a dovetail neck joint)...

11 replies | 605 view(s)

Jan-17-2021, 4:18pm

sunburst replied to a thread Tone bar question in Builders and Repair

Violins, with their relatively tall, light, flexible bridges, their bass bars and sound posts, and their bowed playing behave so much differently...

18 replies | 768 view(s)

Jan-17-2021, 3:06pm

sunburst replied to a thread Tone bar question in Builders and Repair

I am more convinced that optimal (rather than minimal) mass is important to sound. Part of the characteristic sound of a carved arched mandolin is...

18 replies | 768 view(s)

Jan-17-2021, 2:56pm

sunburst replied to a thread Tone bar question in Builders and Repair

I can't say I spend time wondering about that, but I sure don't know why the decision was made to do them them that way. Gibson archtop guitars were...

18 replies | 768 view(s)

Jan-17-2021, 2:24pm

Jim Garber replied to a thread Shutt mandolins in Vintage Instruments

That one would serve as an excellent paddle should one find oneself on Shutt’s Creek. :)

36 replies | 10147 view(s)

Jan-17-2021, 10:17am

sunburst replied to a thread Drilling out the top in Builders and Repair

I sometimes build with arches as low as 14mm when the wood is very stiff and dense. You'll be fine with a little sanding if needed.

9 replies | 572 view(s)

Jan-17-2021, 10:13am

sunburst replied to a thread Tone bar question in Builders and Repair

Apparently not. Dave Cohen tried different bracing patterns (tone bars, x-brace, his own bracing scheme) and found no particular difference in sound...

18 replies | 768 view(s)

Jan-17-2021, 1:31am

sunburst replied to a thread Tone bar question in Builders and Repair

I use them to adjust stiffness. Perhaps that qualifies as "tuning", but I don't try to "tune" them to notes or any of that. I don't think...

18 replies | 768 view(s)

Jan-16-2021, 12:34pm

sunburst replied to a thread Drilling out the top in Builders and Repair

I put a little leather pad on mine. Also, I do the gauge hole drilling with the outside of the top sanded to 80 grit. After re-sanding with 80,...

9 replies | 572 view(s)

Jan-16-2021, 10:01am

sunburst replied to a thread Recurve too thin? in Builders and Repair

No need to build up with glue or epoxy. It would only add mass without adding stiffness of structure. I agree with Adrian, it's "on the edge" at...

11 replies | 664 view(s)

Jan-15-2021, 10:19pm

Jim Garber replied to a thread Trillium longscale mandola demo in CBOM

From the little I know about NHs they are usually in the range of violas, more or less. Is the tenor lower in pitch? I have always loved the...

12 replies | 1560 view(s)

Jan-15-2021, 10:12pm

Jim Garber replied to a thread What's your new fiddle tune? in Old-Time, Roots, Early Country, Cajun, Tex-Mex

Lately into Québécois land: Gigue du Forgeron, Marche de St. Laurent, Gigue du Sous-Marin, Reel du Semeur, and a few whose names I can never remember.

2036 replies | 707812 view(s)

Jan-15-2021, 7:47pm

Jim Garber replied to a thread Regal-made Blue Comet resonator mando in eBay, Craig's List, etc.

I had one of the ones with the “resonator” years ago. It was all laminated IIRC.

3 replies | 287 view(s)