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Thread: First builds finished at last.

  1. #1
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    Default First builds finished at last.

    Just like to thank all who helped me along the way, with my many questions, all of which you've heard many times before. Far from perfect but overall I'm pleased and glad to say they sound like mandolins. I had never even touched a mandolin until these were strung up, so I have nothing to compare.
    I have to say the F5 was a PITA to build, with the obvious difficulties encountered with the binding and sunburst finish. I think my next build will be another A5, trying to improve on this one.
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    Cheers Mike

  2. The Following 9 Users Say Thank You to mikeyb2 For This Useful Post:


  3. #2
    Registered User jim simpson's Avatar
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    Default Re: First builds finished at last.

    Beautiful work, congratulations!
    Old Hometown, Cabin Fever String Band

  4. #3
    I really look like that soliver's Avatar
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    Default Re: First builds finished at last.

    Nice work! Those look great. I'm very far along my first build as well and got it strung up in the white last night. As you said I am please it sounds like a mandolin.
    aka: Spencer
    Silverangel Econo A #429
    Soliver #001 & #002: A double stack of Pancakes.

    Soliver Hand Crafted Mandolins and Mandolin Armrests
    Armrests Here -- Mandolins Here

    "You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage
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  5. #4
    Kelley Mandolins Skip Kelley's Avatar
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    Default Re: First builds finished at last.

    Mikeyb, that is a fine first effort! No explaining about those except the wonderful work you did! Keep on building!

  6. #5
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    Default Re: First builds finished at last.

    Congratulations! If these are your first I am waiting to see just how amazing the tenth will be.

  7. #6
    Registered User bbcee's Avatar
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    Default Re: First builds finished at last.

    Those look amazing, @mikeyb2. It looks like you nailed the finish on both.

  8. #7
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    Default Re: First builds finished at last.

    You should be excited and proud. How do they sound?

  9. #8
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: First builds finished at last.

    Man! I think you did a fantastic job! Very well done, love the woods, the bursts, hell the whole completed packages! Splendid!

  10. #9
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    Default Re: First builds finished at last.

    Quote Originally Posted by Denny Gies View Post
    You should be excited and proud. How do they sound?
    Firstly, thanks to everyone for the kind comments and to Denny, I have no experience with mandolins and nothing to compare but they do sound like mandolins. They do sound very different also, due to the woods used I suspect, rather than the shapes. The F5 is conventional with spruce and maple and the A5 is spruce and mahogany.

  11. #10
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    Default Re: First builds finished at last.

    That's a sweet pair...well done!

  12. #11
    Registered User John Kelly's Avatar
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    Default Re: First builds finished at last.

    Incredible work - certainly not what I would imagine for first-time builds (going from my own first efforts!). You can be really proud of your achievements, Mikeyb.
    I'm playing all the right notes, but not necessarily in the right order. - Eric Morecambe

    http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOldBores

  13. #12

    Default Re: First builds finished at last.

    So how long has it taken, from the time you were inspired, to Build your first.
    It appears, you were a talented, woodworker to begin with.
    Thanks for the inspiration

  14. #13
    Registered User Wizard1962's Avatar
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    Default Re: First builds finished at last.

    Congratulations!!! They look great. I'm getting ready to start my first build. Hopefully mine will look as good as yours !

  15. #14
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    Default Re: First builds finished at last.

    Quote Originally Posted by Will Williamson View Post
    So how long has it taken, from the time you were inspired, to Build your first.
    It appears, you were a talented, woodworker to begin with.
    Thanks for the inspiration
    Not so much a talented woodworker, but an enthusiastic amateur instrument builder. Although these are my first mandolin builds they are not my first instruments, as I said in my earlier posts. Over the past 5 years I've built a mountain banjo, a couple of stick dulcimers, 3 open back 5 string banjos, 4 tenor ukuleles and 6 guitars in that order, gradually improving a little each build. It is a hobby and I like to build something different as a challenge each time. The F5 is the most challenging build to date, as many of you will know.
    There were many new processes to learn, such as carving the plates, binding the tricky bits and then sunbursting (and using wood dyes for the first time). These builds were started round about March and gave me something to tinker with during the lockdown thankfully. I don't know how people without hobbies survive being locked down, I found it hard enough.

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