3 point mandola project

**Hans** · May-19-2005, 1:32pm

Some more progress on the mandola. Keep in mind that the mandolin is larger than an F-5. Big 'ole sound.

**Hans** · May-19-2005, 1:33pm

Here's the back.

**danb** · May-19-2005, 3:44pm

Looks nice Hans! Somewhere out there, there is at least one vintage h4 3-pointer from the day (and a mandocello too I think!), hopefully one of these days I'll come up with pictures

**Daniel Nestlerode** · May-21-2005, 12:33pm

Hans,
Have you ever been to Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah? I'll tell you, that place is spectacular. Amazing vistas in the background; in the fore ground incredible spires of colored sandstone that boggle the mind. The air at 8000 feet is dry and crystal clear, so it doesn't soften the edges of things the way it does back east. And it all goes on for miles. In fact it goes on so long that after the 4th or 5th time you're confronted with a all that beauty your brain stops being able to appreciate the beauty of the things you're looking at.

Dude, you're pulling a Bryce Canyon on me.

Can't wait to see your work in person!

Best,
Daniel

**jmkatcher** · May-21-2005, 1:10pm

Have you tried playing it with a bow?

**Hans** · May-22-2005, 6:13am

Sorry Jeff, I fretted it yesterday.
Daniel, haven't been to Bryce. Still wishing to get to Yosemite before I...maybe a day trip on the long drive back. Look forward to meeting you.

**Hans** · May-22-2005, 6:21am

Here's a pix of the instrument ready to sand with size comparison to an F-5 type.

**Stephanie Reiser** · May-22-2005, 6:57am

nice work, Hans. Whenever I view a picture of one of your instruments, one word comes to mind: Elegance!
Very inspiratonal.
Stephanie

**Will Kimble** · May-22-2005, 1:49pm

Can't wait to play that baby at IBMA in a few months!!!! Way to go Hans, its beautiful!

Will Kimble

**Picknpine** · May-22-2005, 1:56pm

Hans, That thing looks awesome, I want to play it when you get finished!

**Spruce** · May-22-2005, 2:43pm

Hans....
Is that one of the one-piece Sitkas?

Love that wood....

**jasona** · May-22-2005, 3:10pm

Wow!

**Hans** · May-23-2005, 7:28am

Well, thank you Stephanie. I've always tried to stay within the "realm" of Orville's work on the oval holes.
Will, look forward to seeing you at IBMA and getting your opinion on the mandola.
Cody, I think you'll have a couple to try at IBMA!
Spruce, she's a hunk of that Sitka you sent. Lovely #w #i #d #e grain and one piece top!

**danb** · May-23-2005, 8:13am

It looks beautiful. I'm a sucker for the 3-pointers hans.. seeing these in newly carved wood in photos here makes my heart warm.

So when's the 10-string model of this mandola coming out?

**Hans** · May-23-2005, 8:26am

Whoa, 10 string...you folks just keep tempting me with ideas! Hmm, where do I get 5 on a plate tuners? Dan, have you ever seen an old 3 pt with a red top? I'm a real sucker for red. I'm wanting to make this mandola a red top.
Didn't know that Gibson made any 3 pt mandolas or cellos. Seeing one of those would be a heart-stopper!

**danb** · May-23-2005, 9:51am

5 on a plate.. sort of like this?

To my knowledge, red finish appears around 1914.. maybe a little later.. they were pretty much black, natural cedar (some of the light orange 3-pters), pumpkin seemed to be the main color they used when they didn't put black on them. The early A3s kept this orange color.. the first red finish I have a picture of is 25111, a 1915 h2

**Hans** · May-23-2005, 11:54am

Ok Dan, I'll take those! Thanks for the info on red tops. Since the last 3 pts were '11 or '12, I guess none would have been red. #I still like the red best.

**danb** · May-23-2005, 11:56am

Actually.. the back on this one sort of fits the bill. Last known 3-point batch (final 3pt serial is 13100 as far as I know)

13092

**Hans** · May-23-2005, 2:07pm

Dan, I believe I had my hands on 13100 two years ago, and it came up on classifieds this year while I was at Mandofest. Sniff, sniff.
Of course it was gone by the time I got back.

**danb** · May-23-2005, 7:21pm

they're around.. I'll keep you posted when the next one comes up!

**Hans** · Jun-01-2005, 1:31pm

Dang! Missed 13100 again!

**Scotti Adams** · Jun-01-2005, 1:50pm

..that sure looks mighty sexy Hans..whatever color you decide to go with ..Im sure..will do it justice.

**danb** · Jun-02-2005, 2:34pm

Hans, no you didn't

**Hans** · Jun-02-2005, 3:29pm

Yes, good 'ole #13100 will be residing at our house and I am dumbfounded by the circumstances surrounding this good fortune. I will let the other party tell the story should he decide to. I will say that the circumstances parallel the situation that I faced with a certain Chrismas present for a certain Mark, and I am grateful that truly "What goes around comes around." I will also say to that other party "Thank you from the bottom of my heart!" There will be an extra nickel in your pay-packet!