Gilchrist "Current builds" page

**mtucker** · Aug-18-2017, 8:04am

More body and paint...looks like they're headed to the paint booth soon. Unbelievable the amount of energy and patience it must take to execute at such a high level...

**blauserk** · Aug-18-2017, 11:58am

I'm grateful to all luthiers who post progress pics--the Dude, Gilchrist, Don MacRostie, John Hamlett, and many others I'm forgetting because I'm not looking at the monster thread where most are posted. And grateful to Cafe members who visit the shops and post pics (e.g., the Ellis shop, which is a feast for the eyes).

**blauserk** · Aug-25-2017, 10:38am

Steve has now put up shots of every instrument "in the white" both front and back, as well as a photo of the back stained. Just click on the serial number. See, e.g., number 755, a nice Model 3 with a one-piece back.

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**mtucker** · Sep-15-2017, 7:20am

Choose 'yur weapon! Hard to believe that almost 800 of these beauties have been built. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

**mtucker** · Oct-02-2017, 4:34pm

OMG, just stunning! Who wants some candy!!

**addamr** · Oct-02-2017, 7:51pm

That is sharp. I can only imagine what it would be like to sit down with a batch of those, when there complete.

Adam

**grassrootphilosopher** · Oct-06-2017, 4:03am

The current batch has 18 instruments! Does Steve Gilchrist work alone? With this kind of output numbers I hardly think so.

As a side note: Look at the output of 1979 according to his website. He has finished 40 (!) instruments that year. That is beyond crazy. Very nice instruments at any rate.

**HoGo** · Oct-06-2017, 7:45am

Originally Posted by grassrootphilosopher

The current batch has 18 instruments! Does Steve Gilchrist work alone? With this kind of output numbers I hardly think so.

As a side note: Look at the output of 1979 according to his website. He has finished 40 (!) instruments that year. That is beyond crazy. Very nice instruments at any rate.

Gilchrist doesn't waste his time on internet like we do! LOL
If you look at pics on his web there is a woman who prepares his own pearl blanks (though most makers just buy it) and he seems to have the whole proces highly organized and well thought up. He has dedicated machinery for the bulk stock removal, templates and jigs for every step. That can cut the time down to half or even third of what fully handmade takes. I can make F-5 in 300-400 hours but my only machinery is electric handdrill and Dremel tool... I bet he can make one well under 80 hours.
I think he could make even few more if he wouldn't fly with his mandolins to US :-)

**mtucker** · Oct-16-2018, 12:22pm

Originally Posted by HoGo

If you look at pics on his web there is a woman who prepares his own pearl blanks (though most makers just buy it) and he seems to have the whole proces highly organized and well thought up.

The latest eye candy from his website. Shame the nut in the middle (well, all of them really) is going to get sandwiched between a fingerboard and peghead!

purdy nice...

**Mark Seale** · Oct-16-2018, 5:12pm

This current batch is nothing short of amazing. I love the guitar builds in this one.

**Bob Caldwell** · Oct-16-2018, 7:01pm

Check the back of #780, amazing!
http://www.gilchristmandolins.com/780/

**mtucker** · Oct-16-2018, 11:28pm

nice pair.

**William Smith** · Oct-17-2018, 8:20am

Yep I think its fair to say one can get lost in looking at Steve's webpage! He does a spectacular job in restoring the old Loars! Great stuff all around.

**Mark Seale** · Oct-17-2018, 10:03am

Originally Posted by mtucker

nice pair.

That matched pair is killer. Interesting that they're lighter built, I'd love to hear them both sing.

**mtucker** · Oct-18-2018, 8:34pm

sweet cherry cola!

**AlanN** · Oct-18-2018, 8:50pm

He does a spectacular job in restoring the old Loars!

That he do!

**8strings** · Oct-23-2018, 7:56am

Not only is Steve a master luthier, he is also a kind and very interesting person in general. I don't know if his instrument creation skills can be entirely credited to patience, experience and perseverance, or if some of these gifts were already in his genes at birth. It really is a unique experience just holding one of his mandolins. There is a palpable magic in the unique curves, the thin varnish and the non-wood related parts that he uses, most of the latter also being carefully crafted in his workshop right at the crest of Lake Gnotuk. An extinct volcano, now permanently flooded and having ceased to release gas and magma from its centre, there are still eruptions of creativity occuring at one of its ridges. Batch #50 contains 13 new stringed 'sucklings', almost ready to be delivered to their excited new custodians. Here is #780 next to a possible source for its creation. Enjoy!

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**mtucker** · Oct-23-2018, 10:18am

Originally Posted by 8strings

crafted in his workshop right at the crest of Lake Gnotuk. An extinct volcano, now permanently flooded and having ceased to release gas and magma from its centre, there are still eruptions of creativity occuring at one of its ridges.

Here's a pic from the fires earlier this year. It was not pretty and Steve had his prized lumber and instruments loaded and ready to evacuate in the event the fires moved to his side of the Lake. All is well now, thankfully.