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  1. Replies
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    358

    Re: Classic Bar Frets Refretting HELP

    1.3 mm? Is that height or width?? What is the width of your fret slots? It's hard to answer your question without more specific information.

    Jim's suggestion is one solution, if the wire is...
  2. Thread: Tam Lin

    by rcc56
    Replies
    12
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    722

    Re: Tam Lin

    The Tam Lin legend is ancient, dating back to at least the mid 16th century.
    One of those strange, lurid, and explicit ancient ballads from the British Isles.
    A maiden is walking through the woods,...
  3. Replies
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    1,238

    Re: Norman Blake is 86

    They are living as quietly as possible, and both doing quite well.
  4. Re: What are some of the best Mandolins that you all have played?

    Some of the best?

    A few old Gibsons that were head and shoulders above their litter mates.
    A couple of Gilchrist's best efforts.
    An exceptional two point oval hole D'Angelico that went through...
  5. Replies
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    7,560

    Re: Gibson's 1923 F-5 Master Model Reissue

    Why?? Here's a few things that those of us who repair instruments have found.

    Some modern glues are good for instrument building, some are not.
    Titebond Original has held up well over the years....
  6. Replies
    86
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    7,560

    Re: Gibson's 1923 F-5 Master Model Reissue

    Actually, those of us who have worked on a number of 40's through mid 50's Gibson guitars might say "Only a Gibson isn't glued enough."
  7. Replies
    26
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    1,672

    Re: Old Gibson needs fixin'

    Gibson's wide-bodied mandolins were built from 1937 until 1942, when the script logos were standard.
    The block letter logo was first used in 1946 or 47, after the wide body mandolins were...
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    1
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    263

    Re: String gauge for Gibson H-1 Mandola

    I currently string mine 12 - 20w - 32 - 49 or 50. It sounds strong enough for me. I've tried 22's and 34's also.
    Pete Ostroushko strung his about the same-- I measured the gauges of the set he...
  9. Replies
    17
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    1,185

    Re: Nashville Visit Advice

    You inquired about lodging.
    I don't think you'll find much in the downtown area except hotels and motels.
    You might find some AirBnB places in the residential areas.
    But you might want to consider...
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    5
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    524

    Re: Other branded Martin Mandolins

    There's not much information available on Martin/Ditson mandolins.
    Martin made instruments for Ditson as early as 1903, and their relationship continued until 1930.
    If it's a flat back mandolin, it...
  11. Replies
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    791

    Re: Learning mandolin as a fiddler?

    I've taught both instruments for many years.
    The biggest difficulty is learning the difference between the pick and the bow.

    On the violin, the bow does whatever is necessary to follow the...
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    472

    Re: Happy Birthday Doc Watson

    While Doc was the Rosetta Stone for flatpicking for folks from my generation, I'll always remember his fingerpicking.

    There's a couple of million of us who can double-thumb a guitar pretty well,...
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    723

    Re: Wurlitzer Mandolins? Mystery Maker

    A real Larson:

    212256 212257

    Note the body shape-- the upper body is one continuous inward curve from waist to neck. I call it the Larson parabola.
    ...
  14. Re: Could I leave mando in car in winter while skiing?

    No.

    A student of mine had a good late 40's Gibson guitar, and left it in his car all day in a parking garage on a 20 degree day.
    When he showed up for his lesson, I saw light through the...
  15. Re: Removing Adhesive Residue - 1930s Regal 'Custom Built'

    Mineral spirits or naptha are my number one choice.
    You can also try mineral oil.
    Do not use acetone. It is too agressive, and will eat lacquer, shellac, and spirit varnish.
  16. Replies
    2
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    434

    Re: To detension, or not to detension?

    I'll bet a dollar that the top brace [there is only one, directly behind the soundhole] has sprung loose at one end. We see this frequently with old oval hole Gibsons.
    It's an easy fix for someone...
  17. Replies
    15
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    1,099

    Re: Average cost for Mandolin set up

    $500 is preposterous for a set-up . . . assuming that it doesn't need work outside of the following:

    1. adjusting the nut
    2. adjusting the truss rod [if it has one]
    3. setting the bridge...
  18. Re: Looking for a trusted Luthier in Pennsylvania

    Also check with Vintage Instruments in Philadelphia.
    If they don't have someone in-house, they can refer you to someone who is competent.
  19. Replies
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    1,139

    Re: Realistic Value of a Particular Mandolin

    The store mentioned in the previous post often lists used instruments at 50% to 80% greater than standard market prices.
    Some of their used instruments have been sitting there for years without...
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    721

    Re: Help me identify this mandolin...

    That is a Maurer, which was the Larson brothers' house brand.
    What you have is a real Larson.
    If you can attach more pictures, we can give you the model number.
  21. Replies
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    605

    Re: Resonator refinish

    Although National and Dobro had merged by the time this instrument was built, it would be considered to be a National product because of the biscuit bridge.
    It is possible that it could have left...
  22. Replies
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    1,159

    Re: Lyon & Healy mandocello strings?

    At a fixed pitch, a longer scale length results in greater string tension.

    The J78 set exerts 238 lbs of tension on an instrument with a 25 inch scale. That's equal or greater to the tension on a...
  23. Replies
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    1,723

    Re: Most common failures and problems

    I suppose a special mention could be made of the condition that I call "Gibson-itis": multiple loose glue joints on old Gibson instruments.

    Can occur anytime between the late 1920's and 1960 or...
  24. Replies
    14
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    1,723

    Re: Most common failures and problems

    1. Mis-located bridge [on mandolins].
    2. Nut needs adjustment. On guitars, the bridge saddle also.
    3. Truss rod needs adjustment [note: in most cases, on well-made instruments, once...
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    696

    Re: Washburn bowlback bridge

    An adjustable bridge will be much too high.
    Elderly sells one-piece mandolin bridges. Their nicer one is $17. You'll have to fit, slot, and adjust it.
    Or, if you're handy with tools, you can get...
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