Here is a weird idea that occurred to me as I pondered the work of various makers who have tried to be creative. Why does the grain on a spruce top always need to run length-wise? What would happen...
Type: Posts; User: Brent
Here is a weird idea that occurred to me as I pondered the work of various makers who have tried to be creative. Why does the grain on a spruce top always need to run length-wise? What would happen...
Hi Everyone. I posted a Gibson A-3 for sale/trade this evening in the classified section, and someone emailed with an offer to work out a trade for a Ludewig A that he said he bought last summer from...
Thanks for the info Dan. That is very helpful. I like the sound a lot, but it is the only TB I have played. I've been using a guitar-ish fingering on the tenor; i.e., one finger per fret. I seem to...
Here is a picture. This TB plays and sound really good, but it is a player rather than a collector because the resonator has been replaced with a Lyon and Healy with center screw attachment. To...
Here is a bit more info. As I said, the banjo is in good shape and plays well. The biggest issue is that the resonator has been replaced with a Lyon and Healy with a center screw. To accomadate the...
Trying to post some pictures. We'll see if this works.
Brent
Thanks for the tips. I'll take some pictures this evening or tomorrow and email them to Dan. Maybe he can fill us in on history. Sorry if this was off topic. It seemed to me that, for celtic players,...
I recently picked up a 1925 Weymann Model 140 tenor banjo locally with the intention of stringing it like an octave mandolin and playing celtic tunes. I am not adjusting well to the scale length, so...
I recently picked up a 1925 Weymann Model 140 tenor banjo locally with the intention of stringing it like an octave mandolin and playing celtic tunes. I am not adjusting well to the scale length, so...
I just want to put in a recommendation for Don Kowalek and his Mill Creek mandolin kits. About a year ago, I bought one of the very first octave mandolin kits that Don started making. I had a good...
Hi folks,
I have a 1920 Gibson A-3 that needs some work, and I am asking for suggestions for a luthier who is good with these instruments. My mandolin needs some crack repair, and I am considering...
Check out "Cowboy Celtic." The band leader is a mandolin player, and they specialize in old cowboy tunes that were derived from celtic music. Just like alot of Applachian music grew out of the Irish...
Why is it that the fretboard dots on a mandolin are usually placed at the 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, and 15 frets, but the dots on a guitar are usually placed at the 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, and 15 locations?
I finished my kit a few days ago. It turned out very well, even thought his is the first mandolin I have built. Lots of things in the kit were well thought out so that I avoided some problems that...
Contact Bob Arthur at <rearthur@UP.net>. He plays fiddle, mandolin, and guitar, and is one of the organizers. They are more into tunes than songs, with an emphasis on celtic stuff. But I think you'll...
Hi Folks,
I finished my OM kit a couple of days ago. I'll post a pic if I can figure it out. I sent some to Don. Maybe he can post a pic of my finished product. There are a few minor errors, but I...
Hi Bill,
Yes, that was me at Augusta. I tried to reply to the email that you sent, but couldn't figure out the Cafe's anonymous email system. Hope to see all of you southerner's soon.
Brent
I'm just finishing up one of Don's OM kits. If I can do it, anyone can. Premaking the body is not necessary. That was the easiest part. I had the most trouble with getting the neck on straight and...
There is a lot of great jamming at Hiawatha. There is a "quiet section" of the campground for people who cherish their sleep, and a jamming part that is going until the wee hours. Look me up when you...
Well, first off, Traverse City is not in Northern Michigan. It's in Central Michigan. I live in Negaunee, which is actually in Northern Michigan...
I got one of Don's kits about a week ago. I have built a few lap dulcimers, but have essentially no experience in real luthierie (not even sure if I know how to spell it). I was concerned about...
I finished the body yesterday. Looks pretty good too, if I do say so myself. I went back and forth with myself about adding some ornaments such as edge binding, more fretboard or peghead inlay,...
Making progress. I have the top and back rough-cut to shape, braces installed and shaved. I just glued the tail ends of the sides together. Waiting for a part, then I progress to glueing the tail...
My OM kit from Don arrived yesterday. I read the directions through and started getting my tools and work space organized. Doesn't look too complicated. Maybe even I can get a functional machine out...
I think we're talking about two different instruments here. The A-50 was at first (about '36-'38 I think) a lot like other A models (10" wide body), but with F-holes. Then for a few years ('38-40'?),...