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My first mando
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10128&t=36856		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  John A [ Tue Jun 19, 2012 10:13 am ]
Post subject:  My first mando
Hi everyone -

I started tackling my first mandolin - at first I was planning a flattop - but after looking around I think I want to start with a carved top (considering I already make flat top guitars).
I joined some wood I got from International Violin - and I picked up a nice piece of poplar as well to make a 1 piece back.
I made a template based off plans on the internet, and modified the shape of an F5 to suit my tastes. I made it more Les Paulish/Archtop guitar with a cutaway look. I am using the arching patterns for a Loar F5 and the Siminoff book for the building procedure.

Today I setup my drill press planer to make the topo map on my sound board - and the ROS to even the planes - it's looking good and I am excited to take this project on, even though it is distracting me from finishing the binding channels my latest classical.

Camera phone pics -
Author:  WudWerkr [ Tue Jun 19, 2012 2:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My first mando
Looks Like a Great Start To Me ! [clap]

Make a pic thread of it all the way through !
Author:  John A [ Tue Jun 19, 2012 4:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My first mando
Wud - you asked for it ! Sometimes I think you are the only one that see's me threads, and I sincerely thank you for it ! here's a couple of more shots after profiling the top
Author:  WudWerkr [ Tue Jun 19, 2012 6:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My first mando
I like I like !! Keep going , It may get lonely in this subforum , but hey we have beer ! LOL
Author:  DannyV [ Tue Jun 19, 2012 9:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My first mando
Did someone say beer! :lol: I'm watching too John. Keep it coming. If I have time this winter I'm going to do an "F" so I look forward to see how you make out. I've done an "A" and was really happy with the outcome. Looks like you're off to a great start.

Cheers,
Danny
Author:  cphanna [ Wed Jun 20, 2012 11:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My first mando
I'm watching, too. I like the way you've simplified the upper bout / neck block area of the box. At the same time, you've retained some traditional features. That's cool, and it's what I've tried to do, too. I've got one in process, but it'll be on hold until fall or winter when the humidity in my shop goes lower. Press on!

Patrick
Author:  John A [ Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My first mando
I Les Paul'ed it :) - I like how the carved arch top guitars look - so I tried to emulate that - I have seen a few mandos around the web like this - so I figured it was ok to cut out the scroll - I am having a hard time also understanding why there are so many top builders building exactly the F5 like Loar did. I guess it is the same as having so many Strat style electrics out there.
Author:  WudWerkr [ Thu Jun 21, 2012 8:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My first mando
John A wrote:
I Les Paul'ed it :) - I like how the carved arch top guitars look - so I tried to emulate that - I have seen a few mandos around the web like this - so I figured it was ok to cut out the scroll - I am having a hard time also understanding why there are so many top builders building exactly the F5 like Loar did. I guess it is the same as having so many Strat style electrics out there.



Because there is an underlying attitude in the Mandolin community that is " If it dont look like an "F" it aint a real Mando " . idunno

Build what YOU like !
Author:  John A [ Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My first mando
So I guess I will call this my "FU" shape .... wow7-eyes
Author:  WudWerkr [ Fri Jun 22, 2012 7:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My first mando
John A wrote:
So I guess I will call this my "FU" shape .... wow7-eyes

laughing6-hehe laughing6-hehe laughing6-hehe laughing6-hehe Sounds Goood to Me !!
Author:  John A [ Sun Jun 24, 2012 8:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My first mando
OK here are more pics - I drilled out the inside and today and tomorrow I will work on carving that out -
Author:  SKBarbour [ Sun Jun 24, 2012 1:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My first mando
John, looking good. I've never built a mandolin, I'm just starting to finish my third guitar, but would love to try it when I feel comfortable my skill level is up to it. I've been wanting to stop by International since I found out about it a year or so ago. Do they stock much in the way of guitar parts, or is it mostly violin family stuff?
Author:  John A [ Sun Jun 24, 2012 7:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My first mando
International Violin is close to us -

they have fretboard blanks - rosewood and ebony, some preslotted (from Stew Mac) - but the prices are very good.
Tools - chisels and smallplanes (Ibex) purf cutters
Rosettes and purfling (Martin styles) I know it comes from StewMac - but their prices are good and not marked up over Stew Mac prices.
premade bridges, tuning machines for guitar and mandlo - mando bits and pieces -

Tonewoods they have a prettty good selection of Euro spruce both for tops and braces

the service is good -

check the website - they stock what they show on the web. For backs and sides, I go to Linithicum, World of Hardwoods.
Author:  SKBarbour [ Sun Jun 24, 2012 7:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My first mando
Thanks John, I'll have to check out World of Hardwoods also.
Author:  John A [ Mon Jul 02, 2012 5:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My first mando
Hi everyone - this past weekends and today's activity -

Made a side/body mold
Bent my sides and placed in mold.

Next up body blocks, finish final sanding carving of top and backs - then attach.
Work on the neck - already cut out - I think I missed pictures of it - but I will post again shortly -
Author:  John A [ Thu Jul 19, 2012 11:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My first mando
ok been busy with other things lately - but in the past couple of days I made some progress -

F-holes marked out, patched with fine linen, and cut on the scroll saw.
Author:  mkellyvrod [ Thu Jul 19, 2012 5:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My first mando
I'm watching too, John. Just recently started on guitars due to my retirement, but started a mando years ago, but gave up when trying to bend the sides. Really hadn't done my homework. I started carving the top and back, and I still have the plates. As soon as I finish the Classical I'm working on, think I'll give the mando another try, since I finally learned how to bend some sides. Anyway, John, just wanted you to know I appreciate the thread. Keep up the good work. [clap]
Author:  John A [ Mon Jul 23, 2012 8:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My first mando
If you can bend sides for the classical - then the mando side should be a breeze. Also for the classical, I never worked with a mold. Making the mold was very easy for the mando, and then bending the sides and slapping them in the mold while still warm and moist allowed them to dry to the precise shape, so the bending does not have to be perfectly exact as when the sides dry they will conform to the mold shape.
Author:  newluhtier [ Tue Jul 24, 2012 12:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My first mando
I m on my first mandolin too. Since I just got into luthierie I decided to go with a kit from stewmac.
Do you have any advise I could use :?:
Author:  John A [ Tue Jul 24, 2012 12:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My first mando
Since you have a kit - I guess everything has been well planned first.
I am working out of the Siminoff book and Grahman Macdonald's book - so my planning is not that great.

I should have started like I did with my classical build (from the Cumpiano book) where everything was drawn out first - I find that both these books do not include precise dimensions, unlike Cumpiano - who lays out all the dimensions as he walks you through drawing plans.


So if you can - plan everything out and know every dimension of all the pieces.
Author:  WudWerkr [ Sat Aug 18, 2012 7:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My first mando
Looking good John ! [:Y:]
Author:  John A [ Fri Dec 28, 2012 11:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My first mando
a little more progress during the holidays !
Author:  WudWerkr [ Fri Dec 28, 2012 8:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My first mando
I like what I see , Never enough time is there .
Author:  Bryan Bear [ Sat Jan 05, 2013 10:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My first mando
Looking good, keep the updates comming. Slow and steady wins the race. I like the upper bout shape.
Author:  SKBarbour [ Sat Jan 05, 2013 10:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My first mando
Looks good John. I also am loving the shape. I look forward to seeing more pics.
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