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Thread: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

  1. #1
    I really look like that soliver's Avatar
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    Default Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    Firstly, Mandolin Cafe, thanks for being patient with a nerd like me who is probably overly excited about his first build and my most humble apologies for "over sharing" my progress as I've gone through it .... what can I say, I'm excited and proud of myself. This all came out of a want to learn the craft by means of combining a newer love of Mandolins with 20 plus years of love with fine woodworking as a hobby and a profession. I've had way too much fun doing this and have every intention of building more. So I wanted to share the results with you all!

    I used Graham McDonald's book and plans from Terry Majewski to build this Flatiron Army/Navy Style Flattop Mando. It has a Torrified Sitka top, mahogany back, sides, and neck, with a Ebony and Sapele headstock veneer and a radiused ebony fretboard. It also sports Grover 309 tuner and a Cumberland Acoustic Bridge.

    I personally wanted to thank Terry Majewski, Graham McDonald, Marty Jacobson, Steve Smith, Ken Ratcliff and John Hamlett all for the emails and guidance. I am super pleased with how well it turned out and I owe a good deal of that to you all for your assistance.

    Here you go:

    Click image for larger version. 

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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sIu...ature=youtu.be



    Thanks all!
    aka: Spencer
    Silverangel Econo A #429
    Soliver #001 & #002: A double stack of Pancakes.

    Soliver Hand Crafted Mandolins and Mandolin Armrests
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    "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

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  3. #2
    Registered User Frankdolin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    Very cool ! Congrats ! Now that's mando love at it's best.

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  5. #3
    Kelley Mandolins Skip Kelley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    Nice work Spencer! There's just something about those little flat top mandolins that I like. You know, now there's no turning back. It's time to clean off the workbench and start the next one.

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    Default Re: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    Nice work, Spencer!
    Chuck

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    Registered User Steve VandeWater's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    Very nice! Congrats!
    It ain't gotta be perfect, as long as it's perfect enough!

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  11. #6
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    That's SO cool! It's been great watching your progress, and even better seeing the final result. It looks and sounds awesome!

    Sue

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  13. #7
    Barn Cat Mandolins Bob Clark's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    Beautiful work, Spencer. I really enjoyed watching your progress, as well as now seeing the final product of your efforts. I'll now be watching for Reports of your next build!

    Congratulations and best wishes,

    Bob
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  15. #8
    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    It's awesome, Spencer, congrats of the completed project!
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  17. #9
    I really look like that soliver's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    Thanks everyone!... I've already got plans and ideas for my next 2 builds!

    I'm hoping by #004 I'll be brave enough to try carving plates!
    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
    to lose sight of the shore, ...and also a boat with no holes in it.” -anonymous

  18. #10
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    Take your time when carving! That’s a darned nice looking #1! Good work.
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

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  20. #11
    Registered User Randi Gormley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    So nice! congrats!
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  22. #12
    Registered User Drew Streip's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    Gorgeous! And it sounds just like a mandolin, too

    Love that headstock veneer... reminds me of my own guitar #001. Can't wait to see the next one(s).

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  24. #13
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    I love the look of your mandolin, Spencer. Very nice. Sounds great, too.
    Jim

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  26. #14
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    Default Re: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    Soliver, thank you. You should be proud.

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  28. #15
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    Congratulations! While I know you've been working on this awhile, I'm still envious at the speed with which you got it done, ie, you kept after it. Not all of us do that

    Beautiful job
    Not all the clams are at the beach

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  30. #16
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    Nice! That looks great.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
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    Default Re: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    Looks good and sounds good, too! Great combo.
    New to mando? Click this link -->Newbies to join us at the Newbies Social Group.

    Just send an email to rob.meldrum@gmail.com with "mandolin setup" in the subject line and he will email you a copy of his ebook for free (free to all mandolincafe members).

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  32. #18
    I really look like that soliver's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill McCall View Post
    Congratulations! While I know you've been working on this awhile, I'm still envious at the speed with which you got it done, ie, you kept after it. Not all of us do that

    Beautiful job
    Thanks Bill... whenever I had a home improvement project, I was able to set it aside and work on wherever I needed, but I made sure to put in 30 min to an hour on the mando in spite of whatever else I had going on.
    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
    to lose sight of the shore, ...and also a boat with no holes in it.” -anonymous

  33. #19
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    Default Re: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    Very nice, clean and elegant.

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  35. #20
    Mandolin tragic Graham McDonald's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    Nice one!. Now, on to number 2... You didn't think you were going to stop at one, did you 8-)

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  37. #21
    Registered User Louise NM's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    Looks and sounds, terrific, Spencer! How long until this is your primary, full-time job?

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  39. #22
    I really look like that soliver's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    Quote Originally Posted by Graham McDonald View Post
    Nice one!. Now, on to number 2... You didn't think you were going to stop at one, did you 8-)
    Thank's Graham, your book was a BIG help!... while not every step was 100% applicable to this particular instrument, the step by step was very helpful!

    And numbers 2 and 3 are already in the planning stages.

    #002: Another flattop using wood from a 60 yr old Redbud tree we cut down in the front yard that was original to the house when we bought it. I have some slabs that have been drying for about 6 months that should be ready to resaw for the back. Hoping to do a redwood top with F holes, black topped with white binding. Meant to make something meaningful out of meaningful pieces of wood and to hone the skills learned with #001.

    #003: This is a big maybe, but I'm thinking a "Djangola" ... a flattop, Selmer Shaped Mandola... just seems like a cool idea... plus I've always wanted a 'dola.

    #004: Finally exploring carving plates
    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
    to lose sight of the shore, ...and also a boat with no holes in it.” -anonymous

  40. #23
    Registered User usqebach's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    Spencer,

    Congratulations on that first build!

    Looks great, and sounds even better!

    I saw you a NMC a few weeks back - hope all is well there.

    I'm sure I'll cross paths with this mandolin sometime in the future.

    All the best,

    Jim
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  42. #24
    Registered User GeoMandoAlex's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    well done soliver
    I can only play half as much as I want, because I only play half as much as I would like.

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  44. #25
    Registered User JH Murray's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally Finished: Soliver #001

    So will you be putting one of your excellent arm rests on it as well?

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