Gibson Mandolin Construction Details-Old, Loar era or before

[Mike Black]

Do you still have that photo Jim?

[Jim Hilburn]

I guess I should have known you'd ask. Nearly 30 years old.

[Austin Clark]

Fascinating stuff -Thanks guys! This has been an interesting thread to follow.

[Mark Seale]

Well, I can sure tell you this: Gibson was not using a CNC router (like Gilchrist) to cut that channel on the tops.

If the back was left off while the dovetail was being fit, it stands to reason that the top was on at that point as the rimset has to be held stiff to keep the centerline in mind during the fitting process. This suggests that the top went on before the back. (obviously, the back could be the thing that holds it stiff, but what a PITA to fit the dovetail when you can only see inside one end. I don't see a factory doing it this way)

I am suggesting then that the top was glued on, the dovetail cut and neck fit and THEN the back was glued on and then neck was glued in last and shaped to fit the button.

Is my logic ok here?

The logic is sound, but even the mandolins themselves speak to the fact that the centerline was "loosely" followed. That seems to be one of the intricacies/idiosyncrasies of the Loars.

Oh and which channel are you referring to that is cut on CNC? Gilchrist uses a duplicarver type setup for tops and backs.