ScottR Posted March 28, 2016 Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 A couple of years ago, I built my son a nice little guitar. He already had the first one I built, and the premise was that if he got to playing it enough to think he wanted to stick with it, I'd build him a better one. He did, and I did. Whilst that build was going on, he got me a sweet and lovely daughter in law. I never had one of those before. It comes to pass that he has been taking music lessons to learn to play the guitar. And she has been taking them as well, to learn the mandolin. I feel the need to build her a mandolin. I know diddly squat about mandolins. I have only ever heard them played a handful of times, but each one of those times was memorable. And I have always thought the F-5 was a classy looking instrument. And frankly, I have been curious about that F-5 mandolin kit StewMac sells since I first saw it in the catalog years ago. I figure this would be a good way for me to get a little taste of an acoustic build. I told Sarah, that if it turns out nice, it's hers. If not, I guess I'll have a crappy little F-5 to mess around with. So I ordered the kit, with the DVD on how to build it, because like I said, I know diddly squat about them. I also picked up this book to study up with since I know diddly squat about them. Whilst attempting to learn enough to get out of the diddly squat, I finished a project for my wife out of a bunch of off-cuts that didn't get to become a guitar. SR 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted March 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 The sides come bent, with the neck block and tail block in place along with the two points. It has a cardboard form inside with a rubber band holding it in place and you are supposed to make an exterior form from cardboard as well. So I did. It also came with kerfing pre-cut and step one is to glue it up on the top side of the rim. SR 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted March 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 Going forward just like there's nothing wrong..... I decided the cardboard forms were not holding the sides vertical in some areas, plus the bass side waist was losing some of its shape, so I spent the better part of a day building some forms. And while I was at it I built a tool for measuring the thickness of the arched top and bottom. It turns out that is very critical in a mandolin. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted March 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 I used a flat sanding "stick" to level the kerfing with the rim. And it did a fine job. I located the dial indicator with a narrow tip...... SR 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted March 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 .......and then switched to a broad roller tip so it can move across the wood more easily. I forgot to take a shot of how rough the shaping was on this spruce top. You can still see some of it even after I've done quite a bit of work. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted March 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 I haven't started on the inside yet, it'll give some idea. I started to do a little work in the scroll. And so ends the first weekend's effort. I'm feeling my way along here, but it sure does feel good to be back in the garage making sawdust. SR 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattharris75 Posted March 29, 2016 Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 Scott, There is a 'Builders & Repair' forum on the mandolincafe.com website, if you have specific mandolin related questions. Lots of professionals hang out in there. Looking forward to seeing this progress! I love mandolins. I own 3, and play them almost exclusively these days. Also, since you have had limited exposure to the instrument, here are a couple of links for your listening pleasure. Saw these guys play this song live a few weeks ago, and it was absolutely amazing: One of my favorite singer/songwriter types. She's great on the mandolin, guitar bodied octave mandolin, and clawhammer banjo: And perhaps the best mandolin player in the world, Chris Thile, with his band Punch Brothers, looking forward to seeing them live in May, They're all incredible players: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattharris75 Posted March 29, 2016 Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 Also, I know for the stremac kits you need to buy a bridge and tailpiece. If you haven't already, I would recommend a Cumberland Acoustics bridge. As far as tailpieces, James are considered the best, if you like the traditional Gibson look. I personally like the Monteleone style tailpieces, replicas of which are available from a lot of places. But the two style have different hole patterns, so something to be aware of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted March 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 Cool vids Matt and thanks for the advice. I have indeed already picked up a bridge and tailpiece, but am not opposed to upgrading, so I'll check those out. I've been contemplating taking the rather plain gold tailpiece I've got, and topping it with some ebony veneer, with a design cut into it to let the gold show through. Maybe matching a headstock inlay. We'll see what kind of job I do with this thing to that point. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattharris75 Posted March 29, 2016 Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 I have no doubt that whatever you decide to do will look great, Scott. Do you have any ideas on the direction you're going to go with the finish? I've been planning on building a mandola (slightly longer scale, tuned down a 5th from mandolin) for a good while. Got it drawn up, but trying to hammer out a few things before I get my templates laser cut. So I'm looking forward to seeing where you go with this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted March 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 7 minutes ago, mattharris75 said: I have no doubt that whatever you decide to do will look great, Scott. Do you have any ideas on the direction you're going to go with the finish? I've been planning on building a mandola (slightly longer scale, tuned down a 5th from mandolin) for a good while. Got it drawn up, but trying to hammer out a few things before I get my templates laser cut. So I'm looking forward to seeing where you go with this. Sarah will get input on the finish, but my starting idea is somewhere between the classic colors and the colors I used on Justin's guitar, which was nearly the same color as that gorgeous short scaled guitar you just finished for your daughter. I've been thinking something a little bigger than a mandolin might be more comfortable to play (like I'd know), so a mandola crossed my mind as well. Have fun building your forms. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattharris75 Posted March 29, 2016 Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 I have, what I'd consider to be, very normal sized hands. I find the mandolin very comfortable to play. Mandolins are fingered differently than guitars, so the scale length is helpful in proper fingering technique. Two frets per finger. The longer the scale gets the more difficult it is to play that way. Octave mandolins and mandocellos require different fingering techniques. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted March 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 4 minutes ago, mattharris75 said: Two frets per finger. Yep, I still know diddly squat.... This is going to be soooo much fun! SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattharris75 Posted March 29, 2016 Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 It's called FFcP, or four finger closed position technique. It's really pretty natural on a short scale instrument like a mandolin. It's also essentially the same way one plays a violin (minus the frets of course). Since I first bought a mandolin several years ago I've hardly touched a guitar. They're just so much fun to play! You may find that out yourself and be forced to make another to keep! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted March 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 I have learned that it has much in common with a violin, maybe more so than with a guitar, truth be told. And yeah the idea of making another one or so has also crossed my mind, specially after making some fixtures and tools. The thought of bending sides is a bit intimidating to me though. I suppose I'll just have to try it sometime and see if I can get over that. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted March 29, 2016 Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 Hey, I can seeeeeee! I think it'd be cool to have a mandolin done in less traditional colors, that gorgeous sunburst would fit nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattharris75 Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 Weber makes a mandolin they call the 'Red River' that has an orange/red finish. It's pretty cool looking: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 Great thread @ScottR My sister bought me a mandolins plans book last year. It's been on my 'must get round to this sometime' list for ages. Your thread has inspired me to pull it a bit further up the pecking order... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted March 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 I'd say you were correct Andrew, based on that stunning Weber Matt posted. I'd love to see your take on an F-5 Andy, you've got to admit they are cool looking instruments. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 Yeah, F5s are radical for such a traditional instrument. Not my thing, but you've got to pay respect to the intricate work that goes into them. You'll have a ball, @Andyjr1515. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 15 hours ago, KnightroExpress said: Hey, I can seeeeeee! I cleaned up the thread to remove the extraneous stuff about Photobucket and keeping it on track for you, Scott. I did however leave this bit of Andrew's post in to make him seem slightly insane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted March 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 16 minutes ago, Prostheta said: I cleaned up the thread to remove the extraneous stuff about Photobucket and keeping it on track for you, Scott. I did however leave this bit of Andrew's post in to make him seem slightly insane. Cheers! SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 I'm from Florida, no one will be surprised to see me write weird stuff 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 You go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted April 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2016 Here Time to dial in the soundboard thickness. The line I've drawn about an inch in from the edge represents the thinnest area of the top. It needs to be .110" to 1.20" depending on whose directions you pay attention to. The center of the soundboard should be either .200" or .250" again depending on whom you pay attention to. Here, I've drawn in contour lines and measurements. I'll use these to sand correct the thickness and then rinse and repeat as often as need be. Once the top is ready, or as ready as it's going to be until glue-up, I need to locate the F-holes. These are supposed to be dead center of the bridge location. SR 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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