View Profile: sunburst - Mandolin Cafe Forum

Today, 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...

6 replies | 132 view(s)

Today, 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.

23 replies | 464 view(s)

Today, 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...

23 replies | 464 view(s)

Today, 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...

6 replies | 132 view(s)

Today, 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 | 590 view(s)

Today, 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 | 25791 view(s)

Yesterday, 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)...

7 replies | 340 view(s)

Yesterday, 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...

16 replies | 593 view(s)

Yesterday, 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...

16 replies | 593 view(s)

Yesterday, 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...

16 replies | 593 view(s)

Yesterday, 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 | 10066 view(s)

Yesterday, 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 | 524 view(s)

Yesterday, 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...

16 replies | 593 view(s)

Yesterday, 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...

16 replies | 593 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 | 524 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...

7 replies | 404 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 | 1532 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.

2028 replies | 707042 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 | 252 view(s)

Jan-15-2021, 5:32pm

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

that nyckelharpa looks rather cool. Is it your own design or did you copy an older instrument?

12 replies | 1532 view(s)

Jan-15-2021, 12:23pm

sunburst replied to a thread F5 scroll "ridge" - Distance from the side in Builders and Repair

The F-5 scroll is misshapen in that the there is not a constant taper between the edges of the scroll all the way from the body to the button. The...

2 replies | 313 view(s)

Jan-15-2021, 10:57am

sunburst replied to a thread What tools do I need ? in Builders and Repair

If we were to poll a bunch of luthiers on what tools they use we would get nearly as many answers as luthiers; especially when we consider shop...

13 replies | 478 view(s)

Jan-15-2021, 10:44am

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

Good luck, Eugene! Actually, since I never used that style pick, can you post the dimensions and thickness of the ones you prefer? Are they...

16 replies | 686 view(s)

Jan-15-2021, 7:29am

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

Very nice playing and singing. A friend just lent me his 25 year old Trillium octave. I heard that Bob was making only a limited number of...

12 replies | 1532 view(s)

Jan-14-2021, 11:11pm

Jim Garber replied to a thread Ranieri - Art of the Mandolin in Orchestral, Classical, Italian, Medieval, Renaissance

Maybe I am a bit confused here but how do you know it is in public domain? I have the Cranz editions and book 1 is copyrighted 1956, book 2 1959.

8 replies | 440 view(s)

Jan-14-2021, 5:29pm

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

You also might talk to Nik Monnin of Apollo. He works with PEEK and casein and might be interested. Of course the market is a bit small, to say the...

16 replies | 686 view(s)

Jan-14-2021, 3:01pm

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

To continue... have you contacted Clayton or Dunlop or anyone else to see what they would charge for making some picks to your specifications? I...

16 replies | 686 view(s)

Jan-14-2021, 8:29am

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

Eugene: you remember the old days here when we had a very active classical section. I bought a sheet of Ultem plastic and made a few Roman style...

16 replies | 686 view(s)

Jan-13-2021, 9:48pm

Jim Garber replied to a thread The Joy of an OM in CBOM

In the last 6 months or so I have gotten interested in OMs and I missed some excellent ones at great prices. However, I remembered many years ago a...

24 replies | 815 view(s)

Jan-13-2021, 9:33pm

Jim Garber replied to a thread Old vs New Oval in Looking for Information About Mandolins

You may be right, Peter. Perhaps it is the bridge placement on the shorter necks but my two x-braced mandolins: 83 Flatiron A5-2 and Campanella...

88 replies | 10015 view(s)