Mid-'23 replica

[Paul Statman]

I'm not familiar with this saddle, but shouldn't be a need for anything unusual. I make my own bridges & hardware, and usually aim for a final saddle height of about 13/16". Too much break angle can choke up an instrument and harden up the tone & response a bit much.

Thanks for the generous comments. I am back to bow making now, and haven't made mandos for a while. Still think about and research them, and certainly look forward to doing some more.

Bill~ I have a C.A. tallboy saddle on one mando since increasing the neck angle required more height. Rather than jacking it up to sit high on the studs, a 'taller' saddle was installed. If yours doesn't tend to lean forward, you probably don't need it.

[Bill Halsey]

That sounds like a good idea for your mandolin, engaging more stud length would increase stability for sure.
BTW, I fit my bridge to the top with a slight back angle (like a violin) to bisect the break angle, which helps to keep it from being pulled over.

[f5loar]

Just how many of these type F5s do you make a year? Do you realize if you only changed details on about 4 areas yours would be more like a Loar than the current MMs at Gibson? I've not seen an MM or DMM with that near perfect of a Loar color come out of Gibson since Mr. Loar left the place.

[Jim Garber]

I have a feeling that if you keep going and refining the minute details you will surpass all Loars and your mandolins will be more accurate than the originals.

Wonderful stuff, Bill. Keep up the good work. You are not even listed in the builder list -- at least that I could find.

[Bill Halsey]

Just how many of these type F5s do you make a year? Do you realize if you only changed details on about 4 areas yours would be more like a Loar than the current MMs at Gibson? I've not seen an MM or DMM with that near perfect of a Loar color come out of Gibson since Mr. Loar left the place.

I'm not making any right now, Tom -- I reached the end of my client list a while back and am doing just bows now, which is fine. The mandolin thing has always been more of a hobby with me, which gives me a lot of time to think about them in the off months.

I would be grateful for your input on details, Tom. Anything to bring about the look & feel of the originals is very welcome, and perhaps of interest to other readers of this thread as well.

[Paul Statman]

That sounds like a good idea for your mandolin, engaging more stud length would increase stability for sure.
BTW, I fit my bridge to the top with a slight back angle (like a violin) to bisect the break angle, which helps to keep it from being pulled over.

That's the best way (yet again), Bill!

[sunburst]

...which helps to keep it from being pulled over.

That, and obeying all traffic laws...

[Bill Halsey]

[f5loar]

You didn't say if you still have this one or sold it. If you still got it make a trip down South to NC and we can sit and compare lots of details. I couldn't be more serious about your Cremona shading. Find me a MM that close.

[Bill Halsey]

Those mandolins were all made to order, Tom. However, I did make an extra one for myself, I'll put a few shots of it here. There's a bit of a color shift in these photos, it's not this orange. I always struggle with that in the camera. At any rate, I think the vignette is a bit too contrasty for my taste.

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/images/attach/jpg.gif http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/images/attach/jpg.gif http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/images/attach/jpg.gif http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/images/attach/jpg.gif

Oops, don't know why all the url's in blue -- not so good at the computer...

[Glassweb]

OUCH! Fantastic work Bill...

[Paul Statman]

I'll have some sweet dreams after seeing these tonight, Bill! Thanks for posting this tasty piece.

[Bill Halsey]

Also, I've been trying to learn to engrave my own t/p covers in the old style:

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/images/attach/jpg.gif

Dang...well, there's the blue url again... clues, anyone? (he's not so bright...)

[Andrew B. Carlson]

wow. Bill, you are a true craftsman.

[sunburst]

...clues, anyone? (he's not so bright...)

I think the software here automatically does that if you cut and paste a URL, or otherwise post an entire URL. If it's blue, it's a link.

[JEStanek]

You need to post the link into the add photo box as a url, I think, rather than just pasting the link.

Jamie

[carleshicks]

Phenomenal work Bill.

[jasona]

think Scott recently posted a link to a video for how to do it yourself.