Septemeber has been a month of in between mandolin batches, so I've been working on this 1930 ALCOA bass. #149, after 5 weeks of continuous metal working restoration; 'starting to remind why I do this!
Septemeber has been a month of in between mandolin batches, so I've been working on this 1930 ALCOA bass. #149, after 5 weeks of continuous metal working restoration; 'starting to remind why I do this!
Machine age arrives 90 years ago! Shiny! So is there going to be a protective finish, just a wax, or nothing at all? Also, did Alcoa make a press tool for this, or just rely on the (many) skilled ‘panel beaters’ from the automotive world? Interesting object.
WOW! That is pretty awesome looking!
You should powder coat it... and put some hydraulics and some spinners on it. It's already got the bass.
Last edited by soliver; Sep-16-2020 at 8:54am.
aka: Spencer
Silverangel Econo A #429
Soliver #001 Hand Crafted Pancake
Soliver Hand Crafted Mandolins and Mandolin Armrests
Armrests Here -- Mandolins Here
"You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage
to lose sight of the shore, ...and also a boat with no holes in it.” -anonymous
Looks kind of steampunk. 1930's? Amazing. I've never seen anything like that before. Can't wait to see what it looks like when it's done.
I am only a part time builder. I am pleased by the results of my latest effort. It is a vintage Mid Missouri Mandolin Company Nylon Four String Conversion
1999 or so MO model. This mandolin came back to the factory for repairs after having been sat upon. Rather than repair it Mr. Dulak sent the gentleman a new one free of charge. Later it was hastily repaired and strung with nylon strings at the request of another customer. It was not impressive as it was still braced for eight steel strings. She did not follow through. I saved it from being discarded.
I have changed the braces and some other things. It sounds very sweet and pure even before the strings are broken in. It has an unusually tall saddle which I imagine contributes to its being surprisingly loud. It plays so nice and easy perhaps even I can learn to play. If I can come up with a presentable audio I will post on Fans of Big Muddy / Mid MO
I am really falling in love with the tone and play-ability even as I wait for the Nylagut strings to stretch and stretch. Do others have any experience with Nylagut?
MrMoe, I looked on the Big Muddy Group page and didn't see your recording... mind sharing a link?
aka: Spencer
Silverangel Econo A #429
Soliver #001 Hand Crafted Pancake
Soliver Hand Crafted Mandolins and Mandolin Armrests
Armrests Here -- Mandolins Here
"You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage
to lose sight of the shore, ...and also a boat with no holes in it.” -anonymous
No recording yet It has only been strung up for 20 hours and is just starting to hold tune. The break in on the Nylagut is said to be several days. My playing wont do it justice but I will try, or get some help from a player. Thanks for your interest, Maurice
Here's a shot of my F-4 with strings off. Had to reglue lateral brace. Fortunately didn't seem to be any sinkage. Hanging to dry in the background is my F-4 inspired build.
Old Hometown, Cabin Fever String Band
Nice!
You've got one of the old fold out peghead posters from Pickin' Magazine in the background. I had the original one on the wall for decades. I always wondered what was the connection that decided to add Guild to those??? Perhaps pressure from one of their advertising accounts....
They have a reproduction back in print now:
https://straightupstrings.com/produc...r-reprint-2400
http://www.mcdonaldstrings.com
The Mandolin Project on building mandolins
The Mandolin-a history
The Ukulele on building ukuleles
I have the repro poster in my shop. The carved neck heels too.
John Hamlett
www.hamlettinstruments.com
This is better
https://soundcloud.com/user-39425458...o-convertercom
Eric Foulke
Boots Mandolins
"Outside of a book, a dog is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read." Groucho Marx
aka: Spencer
Silverangel Econo A #429
Soliver #001 Hand Crafted Pancake
Soliver Hand Crafted Mandolins and Mandolin Armrests
Armrests Here -- Mandolins Here
"You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage
to lose sight of the shore, ...and also a boat with no holes in it.” -anonymous
Looking great!
http://www.mcdonaldstrings.com
The Mandolin Project on building mandolins
The Mandolin-a history
The Ukulele on building ukuleles
Bookmarks