Top is split!!! But it still Plays.... Not happy though!!!

[Aran]

I think I need some therapy!!!

The top of my mandolin has split!!!! The strap came loose at the end pin while I was holding something else.. aaarrrgggh!!!

Anyhoo it still plays but I'm really worried that it will get worse!!! I might take some pictures when I get home from work so some of you can let me know what you think!!!

It's quite bad timing as there is nothing I can do about it until the New Year.... My first thought is I have to send it back to the brilliant people in Montana who built it!! That's a very expensive option but probably the best...

I don't know of any luthiers in Ireland that know what they are doing with a carved top mandolin.. If any of you know of a luthier on this Island that truly understands an F style mandolin please let me know....

Thanks for letting me get this off my chest.....

[bernabe]

I feel your pain as Ive had a similar setback in the past. I hope you get this straight and DO post pics. Someone will help you one way or another. Id slacken the strings for now until its been assessed.

[Bernie Daniel]

If the split is with the grain of the spruce (I assume it is) -- then couldn't it be glued by a luthier? It would be the same as with an humidity-induced crack perhaps.

And as to carved top mandolin repair in Ireland. Can you find someone you know with a Sobel and ask them who they deal with?

There are many Sobels in Ireland and some of them certainly have carved tops don't they? Good Luck and Merry Christmas!

[Fretbear]

Contact Trevor Moyle of the The Acoustic Music Company (TAMCO) in the UK.
He might know of someone who could be trusted with it on that side of the Atlantic.

[Aran]

Thanks folks.... I really appreciate being able to share my pain with you..

So here you go this is what it looks like....

[MikeEdgerton]

Any decent Luthier should be able to stablize that crack, assuming there was no hidden internal damage.

[Miss Lonelyhearts]

That doesn't look too serious. Similar cracks happen fairly often on fiddles--find a reputable fiddle repairer/maker. Might need only a small cleat on the inside to stabilize it.

[NAS]

I don't know anyone on the East coast but Paul Doyle in Galway is a superb Luthier.

See http://www.pauldoyleinstruments.com/contact.php for his details.

Being a Violin builder and repairer as well as a builder of Mandolins means this would be bread and butter work for him.

I know it's a 3 or 4 hour drive but it might be well worth a trip if you can't find anyone in the Dublin area.

Neil Scully

[JGWoods]

Send the fine folks at Weber that picture and ask them what needs doing.

[Dick Hutchings]

That's nothing. Check this out. It's what happens when you build to light. This is my first build and I refinished one too many times. Should have left well enough alone. I still play it while I'm waiting to finish my next 2. I don't know where I'm going with this but here's the picture anyway.

[f#54]

The before and after. Big Joe in Nashville did the repair. Holding up just fine

[bernabe]

That's nothing. Check this out. It's what happens when you build to light.

Dick, is the dark line in that crack the inside of the instrument, i.e. are we seeing the full thickness of the top there?

[John Kinn]

I don't know anyone on the East coast but Paul Doyle in Galway is a superb Luthier.

See http://www.pauldoyleinstruments.com/contact.php for his details.

Being a Violin builder and repairer as well as a builder of Mandolins means this would be bread and butter work for him.

I know it's a 3 or 4 hour drive but it might be well worth a trip if you can't find anyone in the Dublin area.

Neil Scully

I'll second that. He's a great guy to visit, and what's good enough for Andy Irvine is good enough for all of us. No point sending it across the Atlantic when you have craftsmen like that on your island. Merry Xmas and good luck with your Weber

[Dick Hutchings]

That's right. I'll be making a new top for this one some day. It's too bad because I like everything about this mandolin.

Dick, is the dark line in that crack the inside of the instrument, i.e. are we seeing the full thickness of the top there?

[Ivan Kelsall]

That doesn't look too bad Aran,certainly not as bad as i thought that it might be. All damage IS bad,but i feel that your Mandolin could be put back to 99% of it's former glory. And well done to Neil for his advice,
Good luck - Ivan

[citeog]

Try McNeill's music shop in Capel Street for a start. Can't remember the name of the siblings who are fiddle makers associated with that shop but they should be able to sort you out. If it was my mando I'd hop on the number 14 bus out to Braemor Rd. in Churchtown and let Joe Foley have a squint at it. Joe's made close to a thousand instruments so that would be an easy fix for him. If you want his number just shoot me an e-mail at <fearceol@gmail.com>. Don't go anywhere near Walton's with it. Now, take a few deep breaths:o)

Good luck,

Paul

[Chinn]

That should be an easy fix. I recently repaired a similar crack in an F'hole as well as a complete top separation in the center seam of the top on my old Kay. If I can do that, I know a good luthier will make very quick work of your instrument.

I'd be more worried about a loose brace inside. That alone is a good reason to loosen the strings and get it to an expert.

[Aran]

Cheers folks, Joe is the man.... had a chat with him and he seems to know what he's on about... Merry Christmas everyone...