my first build

[Richard Watts]

i started last feb. this is how far ive gotten. im trying to be very patient and sneak up on every step so far its paid off i had to string it up could not be patient any longer. i was sure surprised at the sound ( i had a lot of advice from my luthier friend here in tn) he thought it was good also. this is a stewmac kit it has been very interesting to say the least. but now i have to tear it down to finish i think it will be cherry sunburst with black shading. i named it the GOOSE since i put a piece of ivory with two geese in the peg head. i got the ivory piece in alaska. i will post a picture when i get done.
Richard

[Ed Goist]

Richard, man, that looks pretty incredible to me.
Congratulations!
I'm very much looking forward to seeing her when she's done.

[crazymandolinist]

That looks really good. My work doesn't come close and I'm trying to go pro!

[Richard Watts]

thanks will put it on when stained

[barry k]

That headstock design looks very familiar.....

[Richard Watts]

i know, that piece of ivory has memories and i wanted to put it in there for a special reason and therefore didnt have much room left, so i barely got that piece on the top, ebony hard to carve without breaking that close to edge took 6 hours, honestly no power tools yet.
Richard

[MikeEdgerton]

That headstock design looks very familiar.....

It's the standard StewMac A5 headstock.

[barry k]

That mandolin that I put up pictures of was built for John Rigsby when he was playing for Ralph Stanley in 1994 , when I was in business with Mark Gresham. We built probably 6-7 "A" models with the same design starting in 1992 ending in 2000 . Im not complaining...just saying......

[Jim Ferguson]

Way to go Richard......what a great accomplishment.
Peace,
Jim

[Richard Watts]

i fully understand, nice mandolins you build ,if my staining comes out that good i would be happy ive never worked with wood until i wanted to do this, i retired from the army in 96, and worked as a gm mechanic till 2007 this has really been an experience ive played a little mandolin for a long time (never did get the hang of blue grass though) but i do enjoy playing
reply to barry --- Richard

[Kramster]

Wow.. looks very cool indeed.