any A5 conversion pics?

[GTison]

I seem to remember some of these. But can't find the threads. Are there pics of A5 conversions from re-topped A models? (My old box of A jr parts is calling at me.)

[MikeEdgerton]

I don't recall anyone doing this but it would cool and that doesn't mean nobody has done it, I just don't remember it.

[William Smith]

I did a 37 A-50 about 10-12 years ago but no longer have pix? It turned out great with a 5 scale neck-it put the bridge about an inch above the F-hole points as I didn't compensate the fret board placement-I plan on doing more eventually as I have the right placement to go by!

[sunburst]

I re-topped an A-50 a while back. The top was badly collapsed and too thin so the owner decided to convert.

[sunburst]

It's not really an A-5 conversion because it still has the original neck (shorter than A-5), it's more of an A-75 conversion.

[William Smith]

Hey John, I was thinking about doing some more of these but compensate with the peg head length a bit so with the fret board can be placed so it will be able to have a 5 scale longer neck instead of the short neck and the bridge will be in the sweet spot between the F-hole points? I know it can be done and I think they will make great conversions-what do you think? I have a very nice 1950 A-50 I picked up with a busted off headstock so I'm eventually going to try this.

[sunburst]

William, the long neck can be added and the new top carved for the elevated fingerboard extension. I've heard one A-50 to A-5 conversion mandolin (Randy Wood) that is one of the best sounding mandolins I've heard.

The above pictured mandolin that I re-topped sounds better than I expected; very good actually.

[William Smith]

I did one late 30's Gibson A-50-a 37 once and while it turned out great I didn't compensate-rookie mistake so the bridge was about an inch above the F-holes-it still sounded great but my next one I'll have it right on the $$!

[Eric Oliver]

John - was that old top original thickness?
Your burst is beautiful.

[sunburst]

John - was that old top original thickness?
Your burst is beautiful.

I believe so because of this:


The thinnest part is marked on the underside with a lightly penciled X and the surface looks like it is from the factory. I suspect it was getting too thin, someone marked the thinnest part so they could avoid it and continued with the mandolin. The thinnest place is 2.2mm, and that's simply too thin in most cases. The rest of the top is too thin as well.
I don't remember if the tho was refinished but I still have it so I can have a look. If it was then it is probably a little thinner than original.