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Thread: Maple wood set (private reserve)

  1. #1
    Hester Mandolins Gail Hester's Avatar
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    Default Maple wood set (private reserve)

    One thing all instrument builders have in common is an absolute appreciation for the wood we build with and we love finding, selecting, evaluating and working with it. I’m sure everyone has a few pieces or a stash of the really special stuff. I do as well. Here are some pictures I want to share of an amazing book matched Maple set that I got years ago from Bruce Harvie. I put it aside and have been waiting for that special project to come along. I have looked to use it on mandolins and mandolas but decided against it since too much would be waisted. I recently started to design and build an Octave Mandolin and when I slapped the template over it I couldn’t contain my excitement. So here are a few pictures, not so exciting to some probably but I wanted to share it. Thanks Bruce.
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    Gail Hester

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  3. #2
    Registered User Vernon Hughes's Avatar
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    Default Re: Maple wood set (private reserve)

    Wow!
    Hughes F-5 #1
    Hughes A model #1
    1922 Gibson A-2
    1958 Gibson A-5

  4. #3
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    Default Re: Maple wood set (private reserve)

    Gail,

    Now you haven't been posting much lately. And then you come out with this!

    That's not legal material there. Congrats. Please show more as it progresses. And what color will it be? That's just about the most amazing..... well, you know.

  5. #4
    Hester Mandolins Gail Hester's Avatar
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    Default Re: Maple wood set (private reserve)

    Thanks Vernon and Dale. This one will get an old L5'ish traditional burst and I'll try to let the figure show through as much as possible. I should have mentioned that only one side is sanded so it stands out better in the photos. The figure should be very symmetrical when finished.

    My problem now is to find some side wood that will look right with this stuff
    Gail Hester

  6. #5
    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Maple wood set (private reserve)

    Gorgeous figure there Gail!
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    Default Re: Maple wood set (private reserve)

    Oh. My. Goodness...that's stunning, Gail! Please post some pics throughout the process. I can't wait to see how it turns out...
    Chuck

  8. #7

    Default Re: Maple wood set (private reserve)

    WOW! OMGail!
    2010 Heiden A5, 2020 Pomeroy oval A, 2013 Kentucky KM1000 F5, 2012 Girouard A Mandola w ff holes, 2001 Old Wave A oval octave
    http://HillbillyChamberMusic.bandcamp.com
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  9. #8
    wood butcher Spruce's Avatar
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    Default Re: Maple wood set (private reserve)

    Quote Originally Posted by Gail Hester View Post

    My problem now is to find some side wood that will look right with this stuff.
    I can have a look if you want...
    We call that figuring "fishbone"...

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  11. #9
    Hester Mandolins Gail Hester's Avatar
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    Default Re: Maple wood set (private reserve)

    Quote Originally Posted by Spruce View Post
    I can have a look if you want...
    We call that figuring "fishbone"...
    Thanks, email sent.
    Gail Hester

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    Default Re: Maple wood set (private reserve)

    just this week, I found three pieces of maple that was 6in wide and just over 7ft long.. had a wonderful "tiger stripe" all the way thru its' length.. and from Home Depot at $25 apiece... love those finds.. keep looking and you may find those little treasures....
    kterry

  13. #11
    Hester Mandolins Gail Hester's Avatar
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    Default Re: Maple wood set (private reserve)

    "tiger stripe" all the way thru its' length.. and from Home Depot at $25 apiece...
    That's a great find. I'm always looking. The nice thing about maple finish wood from Home Depot is that it should be well dried.
    Gail Hester

  14. #12
    Kelley Mandolins Skip Kelley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Maple wood set (private reserve)

    Gail, that is some sweet looking maple! Looking forward to seeing what your octave looks like!

  15. #13

    Default Re: Maple wood set (private reserve)

    That is a truly gorgeous bit of wood there. I look forward to hearing it once it takes shape - I really dig octaves. Though, to my ears, it seems like most of them get too pouty for their own good, being an octave down and all Ones that really ring out seem particularly rare in the octaves, which is an already rare instrument.

    I guess what I'm trying to say is, "Good luck! We're all counting on you."

  16. #14
    Mediocre but OK with that Paul Busman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Maple wood set (private reserve)

    Wowee! If I was a customer ordering an instrument from this wood, I'd request you to move the template down to catch as much of that nice birdseye figure at the bottom. I'd also pass on a burst, opting instead for a light stain to highlight that magnificent grain without hiding any of it. But that's just me. In any event, please send progress pictures.
    For wooden musical fun that doesn't involve strumming, check out:
    www.busmanwhistles.com
    Handcrafted pennywhistles in exotic hardwoods.

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  18. #15
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    Default Re: Maple wood set (private reserve)

    How fantastically gorgeous! I've been wanting to build an L5 styled Octave also. I'm looking forward to see how your adventure unfolds. Please, post updates and pictures often. Thanks for sharing. ---Gary

  19. #16

    Default Re: Maple wood set (private reserve)

    Dang that is pretty!

  20. #17
    wood butcher Spruce's Avatar
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    Default Re: Maple wood set (private reserve)

    Sides...
    Not quite a perfect match, but it does have some fishboney things going on in the figure...


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  22. #18
    Hester Mandolins Gail Hester's Avatar
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    Default Re: Maple wood set (private reserve)

    Perfect enough. I'm glad you had something that will work so well. Thank you.
    Gail Hester

  23. #19
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Maple wood set (private reserve)

    Bruce, do you always include a rubic's cube with your side sets?

    Gail, that is amazing wood. I have never seen any thing like it. I wonder how it will be to work?
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

  24. #20

    Default Re: Maple wood set (private reserve)

    Quote Originally Posted by Spruce View Post
    Sides...
    Not quite a perfect match, but it does have some fishboney things going on in the figure...
    Well that solves two problems.
    www.apitiusmandolins.com

    What is good Phaedrus? and what is not good?, need we ask anyone to tell us these things?

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  26. #21
    Hester Mandolins Gail Hester's Avatar
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    Default Re: Maple wood set (private reserve)

    Gail Hester

  27. #22
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    Default Re: Maple wood set (private reserve)

    No,no,no Gail,,, I said A5!

  28. #23
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Maple wood set (private reserve)

    "Got Wood?"
    That says it on many levels!
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

  29. #24
    Mediocre but OK with that Paul Busman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Maple wood set (private reserve)

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Gunter View Post
    Gorgeous figure there Gail!
    Do you have a picture of Gail that the rest of us haven't seen?
    (No offense intended Gail...I couldn't help myself)
    For wooden musical fun that doesn't involve strumming, check out:
    www.busmanwhistles.com
    Handcrafted pennywhistles in exotic hardwoods.

  30. #25
    Registered User David Rambo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Maple wood set (private reserve)

    That is going to be beautiful! If I start saving now ..................Ah heck, just keep posting pictures so I can dream!
    "Put your hands to the wood
    Touch the music put there by the summer sun and wind
    The rhythms of the rain, locked within the rings
    And let your fingers find The Music in the Wood."
    Joe Grant and Al Parrish (chorus from The Music in the Wood)

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