I thought the Loar era L-5's were varnished (but never checked about that). They say it's lacquer. Were the guitars laquered back then?
I thought the Loar era L-5's were varnished (but never checked about that). They say it's lacquer. Were the guitars laquered back then?
Much depends on where you put your thumb during playing. Folks who hold the thumb on the very lowest point of neck (like classical guitar players) usually prefer flattish rounded profiles (depending...
I fret after gluing board to neck. I like to have surface prepared to perfect straight before I install frets and I don't force frets but rather remove a bit of the fret nibs with flat file so the...
Wood will always gets to EMC which depends on RH of air around it. Thermally processed wood has slightly lower EMC and has generally better dimensional stability which was the main argument for doing...
Back to the OP...
In the staged pics from this PR article :
https://gazette.gibson.com/gear/gibson-launches-the-1923-f-5-master-model-reissue-and-f-5g/
you can see several necks with dovetail...
There is also article on Gilchrists web with more pics:
https://www.gilchristmandolins.com/70281-restore
I cringed my teeth when I read about that, but I think in one of the long articles about the repair of 70281 he mentioned that he offered several possible scenarios, including new bassbar, but the...
CNC cut inlay in CNC cut neck with CNC cut outline should be neat but they missed the design of the large scroll in the fist place and left it right off the CNC cutter.
If you look at the TR cover...
Purely from theoretical side I agree, but you cannot control all the tiny details from manager seat or spec'ing them exactly to whoever is at the bench and the result is always sum of those tiny...
The mandolins may sound good or great but we actually don't know a tiniest bit about whose hands were involved in building them... Even late Charlie Derrington who gets similar praises from his...
I haven't played one so I won't comment on tone. but these claims are quite bold:
"Thanks to scientific analysis, 3D scanning of original models, and Loar’s production notes from the Gibson...
If you look up origin of word art. You'll find someting like this:
The word “art” is derived from the Latin ars, which originally meant “skill” or “craft.” These meanings are still primary in...
Good gouges are still good many years later unless they were badly damaged and lost their temper.
My best chisel, I dug out in the garden behind our church where old houses used to be 60 years ago....
I think I posted something about modeling F-5 so search old posts.
I work in Rhino and IIRC the workflow was to model tha main arch, then I created the outlines of the plate rising smoothly towards...
I see many folks especially in US start their plates from rather thick (sometimes almost 1") flat lumber which necessarily requires LOTS of extra material removal. If you start with wedges and reduce...
One should be aware that use of the powertools is also not very good for hands. The vibrations of the tools are bad for muscles and joints even though it is not as physically hard work.
Many...
Cracks like these are generally caused by extremely low humidity and plate shrinking. They appear to be open on top (finish cracks) because the block underneath is cross grain and holds the bottom...
Tailpieces like this were common on German factory violins produced in hundreds of thousands a year in Markneukirchen/ Schoenbach region and perhaps other parts of Germany and Europe too.
Late 19th...
If it chips you likely need more tpi. Possibly fine metal cutting blade and finishing with files or spindle sander.
CNC is my go-to way for doing templates - once you do the drawing you can...
I wouldn't use waxy/oily products anywhere near older instruments. If you get some of it into a crack or loose seam you greatly reduced chance of solid repair. Often you don't see open seams or...
That one has much smoother curve and the end of the board appears to be slightly blunt on the DB Loar. Almost looks like modern F-5L in some views.
If you're doing it for your own use you don't have to be as efficient. You can simply do something else while the CNC slowly cuts the slots and you can have the luxury of dead ends. But making it for...
Modern or traditional sound built into mandolin is red herring IMHO.
If you take Monroe's mandolin and put it into hands of "modern player" the mandolin will sound like the modern player not like...
From builders perspective I should say there IS difference in sound between the body styles. There's significant extra mass in the F style and also some extra air volume so that's GOTTA have some...
Violin folks often apply clear tape to some areas to protect from perspiration and wear. They apply it over delicate finishes as well.
Here is good tutorial that shows application and removal. Yours...