Chuck_Chill-Out Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 2 hours ago, Prostheta said: Just. Stop. It. Name three things that are right with banjos. Well, I can come up with 1 thing - it makes you paddle the canoe faster when you hear it. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 What's the difference between a banjo and a trampoline? You take your shoes off before jumping on a trampoline. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted May 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 6 hours ago, Prostheta said: Just. Stop. It. Name three things that are right with banjos. The Avett Brothers. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted May 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 6 hours ago, Aakoo said: I find this topic very inspiring. I think I might have to do an mandolin next winter! Lovely work, and more pics please! Why thank you sir! I must admit to being pleasantly surprised at how much I'm enjoying this build, and how cool I'm finding the little instrument that's taking shape. It's about time to get with my lovely darlin' daughter in law for some input on finishing colors. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 42 minutes ago, ScottR said: The Avett Brothers. SR That's one thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted May 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 It's a start. Jimmy Page used them to good effect from time to time. SR 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattharris75 Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 I know a lot of folks have a distaste for banjos, that's why I made the joke, but truly I do love them. The Avett Brothers, Punch Brothers, Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn, Sarah Jarosz, etc. Lots of great music out there. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curtisa Posted May 13, 2016 Report Share Posted May 13, 2016 Quote Name three things that are right with banjos The sound they make when crushed underfoot. They bounce quite well when dropped from a great height. They sound better than chainsaws. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted May 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2016 12 hours ago, curtisa said: The sound they make when crushed underfoot. They bounce quite well when dropped from a great height. They sound better than chainsaws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted May 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2016 Got a lot of stuff covered while the glue dried........ Out of the clamps. Like normal, I carved the backboard nearly flush and sanded it true. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted May 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2016 Here's some examples of roll-over glue lines like I mentioned in another thread. Sanding makes them go away. SR 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted May 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2016 Let's put the neck back in and pretend that it is a whole mandolin already! SR 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted May 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 That was fun. But what's up next is not, at least in my book. This little attachment for a Dremel is used to cut a binding channel in areas that do not have two flat surfaces adjacent to one another........much like an arch topped mandolin. It allows you to guide over curved surfaces, but those surfaces are still unstable and any rocking will change the cut of your channel. I started with the back, after practicing on scrap. When it is all said and done I expect I'll have some areas to fix. Sorry Sarah. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIMpleONe89 Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 Looks amazing scott. Can't wait to see it finished. Those round over glue lines look like the ones on my current build so I'm glad that they will sand out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted May 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 And there are many areas on this little beast that must have the channels cut by hand. I do not bind my guitar builds because I like free flowing curves and soft corners for looks and comfort......and because binding is a royal pain in the ass, but it is an integral part of the look of an F-5 mandolin, so it must be done. And it will be stunning when it is done. SR 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 It looks superb, Scott. I also have one of those dremel binding attachments. As you say, they are quite tricky to use....but not as tricky as hand-cutting. I bow to your skill and patience ref the scroll.... Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted May 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 14 hours ago, SIMpleONe89 said: Looks amazing scott. Can't wait to see it finished. Those round over glue lines look like the ones on my current build so I'm glad that they will sand out! Thanks Simon. Yeah it was your thread I was referring to. I thought it was when I was typing.......but was too lazy to stop in the middle of my post and go check. SR 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted May 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 8 hours ago, Andyjr1515 said: It looks superb, Scott. I also have one of those dremel binding attachments. As you say, they are quite tricky to use....but not as tricky as hand-cutting. I bow to your skill and patience ref the scroll.... Andy Thanks Andy. The scrolls are a challenge, but at least of the kind I've tackled before. I did manage to open them up a bit more than normal....there's just not much room in there. The real challenge will be cutting the channel through that ebony layer on the headstock scrolls. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted May 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2016 Finished carving the detail areas of the binding channel on the back. With that under my belt and a bit more confidence I flipped it over and routed what I could from the top. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted May 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2016 The top went faster. Spruce is both easier and harder than maple to carve. But it was the experience of carving the back that made it go faster......so to speak. it still took all weekend to finish the back and the top. Since StuMac does not sell or provide laminated three ply binding in its mandolin kits, I had to laminate my own. I built this jig out of a cheap nylon cutting board and some used nylon cut sticks from our biggest guillotine cutter at work. It's kind of like extrusion in reverse. I painted a few inches of acetone between the plies and pulled them into the blocks. That set for a minute or two then I pushed it back out and coated a couple more inches and rinse and repeat ad infinitum. Next weekend we'll attempt the actual binding of this little beast.... SR 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIMpleONe89 Posted May 23, 2016 Report Share Posted May 23, 2016 Looking good! Carving the binding channels around that scroll looks tough. Also cool binding laminating jig! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted May 23, 2016 Report Share Posted May 23, 2016 Agreed. I think that Scott has a very calm approach to his work, so I think he'll be in his element with this project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted May 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2016 Thanks, Simon. Carving the scrolls was a bit time consuming but not all that difficult It takes a bunch of small cuts. You get tempted to take larger ones but there is really no room, so you can't really give in to that temptation (which would be courting disaster). The trickiest part is the bottom of the channel as it rises off the glue line and climbs up and around the scroll. The transition needs to be smooth. Calm comes natural I think, Carl. These builds over the years have become my chief form of relaxation on the weekends. Although I must admit I do get pretty excited about finally bolting on the hardware and hitting the strings for the first time! SR 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted May 23, 2016 Report Share Posted May 23, 2016 Yeah, there's nothing like discovering a new instrument's personality and its voice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted May 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2016 Trudat. It can be the whole motivation for building a new one. I can be sitting in the garage having a cold beer after a day of building and wonder if I use that timber for the top and that one over there for the body....and make the neck out of that piece on the top shelf....and get those pups, that try that one bridge I've been wanting....what would it sound like? Especially if I try that new carve I've been thinking about.......well hell, I'll just build it and find out. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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