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Replacing a violin FB is more complex than it might appear. There are a lot of criteria to consider when planning and executing the replacement. I highly recommend you read these two articles....

At least it wasn't "The BM":)

Wow! Some great entries - tough job for the judges. See what one of Sir Bill's stringed things can do to ya? I went with "Sir Chopsalot" .

If this was a lesser mandolin, you wouldn't see the heartfelt emotions being displayed here. Part of the fun is thinking you did your best and being excited by your entry's chances. Sure, there is...

Thanks for the feedback.

I have been wondering about the benefits of upgrading the tailpiece that comes with the A style IV kit. Are there any recommendations for a source for an upgraded tailpiece and what improvements I...

Thanks for the suggestions. Slowing down doesn't sound like fun so I know it must be the right remedy. I'll also be looking to get a few lessons.

I just sunk some money into a couple mandos so it's time to get serious about improving my skills. I am a self-taught fiddler/mando player and don't get out to many jams so I probably have developed...

I just picked up one of these signed by B. Weber. I really like the tone and was wondering whether anyone knows what type of spruce they used for these?

Stradivari's nails were nailed from the inside of the neck block into the neck root before the top was put on. I have never seen or heard of a maker nailing through the button during the original...

Can't tell for sure, but is that a nail in the back button? The ebony crown on the button may have been added at the same time as the nail(?) to hide the repair (possibly, the neck root had come out...

IV sells a neck stain which helps darken the wood of the neck.

What kind of glue did you use? If it isn't hide glue, I can't help you as that is the only glue I have used (I mainly work on violins). I just popped the back off my IV kit #2 and it was very easy...

I took apart the back plate of an old violin that was separating in the center seam. So now I have the 2 halves and have since realized how tricky it is to correct a bad joint when dealing with...

I like that look! I sent you a PM with a couple questions about the kits.

I have 6 2-oz bottles of unopened IV oil varnish which have solidified (they are approximately 2 years old). Are these still useful? If so, how?

Any recommendations on getting set up for fretting? These two kits are available:
LMI Fretting Kit

Stew Mac Fretting Kit
Price difference is around $55.

Are there any $20-30 decent bridges out there?

I was just fitting a bridge to my second IV A kit using sandpaper fixed to the top. Based on abrasions, I was getting very close. I took off the sandpaper, set the bridge in place, and noticed that,...

Congratulations on getting it together with awesome results. I hope your finishing experience goes better than mine. I used a violin varnish over a hand-applied glaze of oil pigments for the color....

I am working on my 2nd IV kit and am confused by grads given in different places. I know I am supposed to just "use the force" in arriving at plate thicknesses, but...In the Ultimate Siminoff book,...

For violin work there is a gauge to check the neck projection at the bridge. There is also a recommended string angle over bridge which I am pretty sure is 158-159 degrees. Unless I am missing it,...

I just tweaked my IV kit mandolin and am pleased with the change. I think the bridge ended up on the high side and the string angle over the bridge looked severe. Tone was OK but it was lacking in...

Regarding the tone bars, is it possible to generalize about the relationship between their bulk/stiffness and the resulting tone? My guess is that wimpy bars would produce a floppy, muffled tone and...

I am about to begin my 2nd IV A-style kit and want to improve on everything including the tone. I like the bottom end but the A and E strings, especially the E, are thin-sounding - not much resonance...