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Thread: New Mike Black Mandocello under construction

  1. #1
    Administrator Mandolin Cafe's Avatar
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    Default New Mike Black Mandocello under construction

    My very long-time local mando-pal Jeff Dearinger who owns one of the nicest K-4s from the Loar era is having Mike Black make him a mandocello so the old Gibson doesn't have to travel to their occasional gigs.

    Disclaimer: Mike and I are brothers from different mothers, share a birthdate, and my gypsy jazz trio is playing music at his wedding in just over a week. But, this is all mandolin family content. Jeff simply shared these photos with me and I asked he and Mike if I could post them because I like this kind of content.

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    Any questions should be directed at Mike. Anxious to see this one born.

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  3. #2
    Moderator JEStanek's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Mike Black Mandocello under construction

    Oh my goodness. That body shape is the stuff of dreams and I know Mike Black knows what he's doing. What a beast it will be. That hook scroll with guitar body shape is so elegant. I'll enjoy watching how the color and everything comes together.

    Jamie
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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Mike Black Mandocello under construction

    Absolutely beautiful. Of course, when it is done Jeff will have to provide some sound clips.
    Jim

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    Barn Cat Mandolins Bob Clark's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Mike Black Mandocello under construction

    Ah-ha! A very much larger sibling for my piccolo mandolin also under construction by Mike at this time. It is all very exciting.

    And congratulations to Mike on his upcoming marriage!
    Purr more, hiss less. Barn Cat Mandolins Photo Album

  7. #5
    Mandogenerator Mike Black's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Mike Black Mandocello under construction

    Here are a couple more pictures for size comparison. The lower bout is 18".

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    (Fyi... that's a piccolo mandolin on top)
    Last edited by Mike Black; Apr-05-2018 at 10:05am.

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  9. #6
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    Default Re: New Mike Black Mandocello under construction

    This is a work of ART!
    What are the woods involved?
    Also, curious: did Lloyd Loar himself ever build or supervise mandocellos, or does the note just refer to the "era?"

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    Registered User Rodney Riley's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Mike Black Mandocello under construction

    Wow! Just wow! Love to hear it when it’s finished.

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Mike Black Mandocello under construction

    Quote Originally Posted by Doc James View Post
    Also, curious: did Lloyd Loar himself ever build or supervise mandocellos, or does the note just refer to the "era?"
    I don't think Loar built anything. I believe the only Loar-signed mandocelli were the L-5 body based K-5s from that era.

    See K-5 below on left from Jonathan Kellerman collection.

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    Jim

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  13. #9

    Default Re: New Mike Black Mandocello under construction

    Looks like it will be all kinds of yummy!

  14. #10
    I may be old but I'm ugly billhay4's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Mike Black Mandocello under construction

    Cool. I'm curious as to why the head block is so large. Is this the way the Loar era instrument was built? Is it structurally necessary? Seems like it would add a lot of weight.
    Bill
    IM(NS)HO

  15. #11
    Registered User Mike Snyder's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Mike Black Mandocello under construction

    Style very similar to the newish electric tenor.
    Mike Snyder

  16. #12

    Default Re: New Mike Black Mandocello under construction

    Can't wait to see it when it's finished and hear somebody confident play it

  17. #13
    Mandogenerator Mike Black's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Mike Black Mandocello under construction

    Here is Jeff trying it on for size.

    Click image for larger version. 

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  19. #14

    Default Re: New Mike Black Mandocello under construction

    Mike, I had no idea you were in Lawrence. Would love to hear that beast in person when you have completed it. I'm in Wichita.

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