I just completed my 3rd mando. (Number 2 was the Greyhound A-5 from scratch.) This is a Siminoff customized kit - redwood top; walnut back, sides and neck. I did the rosette and finger rest. It has EVO frets and an internal K&K twin mando pickup.
It has a nice warm sound and plays very easy. I am very happy with it. Will post additional pictures after this post.
Terry Braund
Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.
-- Mary Lou Cook
Nice work! My taste runs to much more plain looks, but your floral bits in the rosette and finger rest evoke an earlier era very nicely. I love the look of it without the finger rest, tho.
Great wood colors, too. I do like redwood and walnut for top and b/s. I particularly like the grain in the binding in the scroll shot. Mmmmm...
Thanks all for your kind comments. #Helps a lot to make up for those times when I was struggling with it and wondering if it would be a successful project.
I am also partial to the look without the finger rest - a bit fancy but yet simple. #I did the finger rest because I had a beautiful piece of old ebony that was the right size for only a finger rest and I was curious to see what could be done with it to tie it in with the rosette without getting too complicated.
The true colors are very close to the pics - just a tad more brownish (at least on my computer monitor.) #The pic without the finger rest is closest to true color for the top. #The pic of the back is very close.
Terry Braund
Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.
-- Mary Lou Cook
I agree with Steve about how nicely your floral elements (espescially, on the pickguard to complement the rosette) evoke an earlier era. That looks very sweet. The colors just exude warmth.
Jamie
There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and, after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. Logan Pearsall Smith, 1865 - 1946
Beautiful work. Stunning. #I prefer it with that ebony pickguard (which itself is outstanding). Without the pickguard: its a fancy Italian suit but with the pick guard it's a tux for sure - enough said (my opinons of course). #
I really really like all the inlay -- overall impression is tasteful.
Is it X-braced?
Did you tap tune it?
How is the sustain?
Great job.
Bernie
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Due to current budgetary restrictions the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off -- sorry about the inconvenience.
I did tap and contour the braces until the soundboard gave me a tone that I thought would be good (pretty much a guess on my part) and then when assembled checked the air chamber resonant note and was happy with that - but I didn't really "tune" it.
The sustain is quite nice IMHO. The mando has a nice warm tone with decent projection and richness. Its not a Bluegrass mando or a banjo killer but wasn't intended to be.
I may post a sound bite if I can get someone who can play decently to record a sample - or maybe I'll just record a few notes.
Terry Braund
Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.
-- Mary Lou Cook
Good Work! I really like the looks. It all works together–and I really like the soundhole work. You are a fortunate fellow. I couldn't come close to this thing.
Where are you getting the pearl for your name script in the headstock? I too am in the beginning stages of a Siminoff F-5 kit, and would like to do some inlay. I have found good sources for stock inlays, but wonering where to get letters for a name.
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