Provided that the existing carbon rod really is both oriented fiber in epoxy, and not set in 90 degrees wrong; that is, the larger dimension parallel to the fretboard, then it’s possible that it is...
Provided that the existing carbon rod really is both oriented fiber in epoxy, and not set in 90 degrees wrong; that is, the larger dimension parallel to the fretboard, then it’s possible that it is...
The SOL I’ve had since new just has very thin black paint for a ‘binding’, and I’ve touched it up a few times with whatever black paint - usually enamel was handy. For such a thin area, if you do...
Those are lowest-cost construction, and may not be wonderful, but generally, tuners don’t slip. Before you replace, lube the slots in the nut and maybe the bridge top with #2 pencil - both places...
Depends on where you live. See, for example, Wikipedia entry ‘mandola’
In this case, the OP may be referencing usage in Japan. I guess it would always be good to mention scale length, string tuning...
Veneered neck points to Italy (maybe), and the very much Art Nouveau ornament probably 1890-1905. Google Lens might find the lady if that’s a published shot of a celebrity, but it finally stopped...
Didn’t mention how long to get the tuning layout down.
Actually, Mike, SOLs are somewhat supernatural, and you have to be trained to see them at all. There are untold thousands of them out there, some of them with other names, built over half a...
On SGW. Because it will doubtless bit up too far, no interest, but I know there are fans here of the genre. This one spent time in some environment so foul that the finish, down to bare wood, peeled....
Cute gizmo, and like Gillette’s great invention, a good way to sell rolls of sandpaper.
Of course, you have to elevate the strings to get at the lower frets, and at that point, anything flat and...
We are the Borg. Lower your shields and surrender your ships. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile.
1984 isn’t a novel; it’s a handbook.
Music, an unresearched stimulus common only to humans and a few birds clearly causes distinct neurological effects. Clearly, optimization can be achieved, for...
Strong on 3rd, weaker above doesn’t point to action height, but you could adjust it anyway. More indicative of low third or high fourth frets, so take a fresh, clean credit card and use it as a...
Considering homage to stripping, perhaps some ‘40s tasteful decalcomanias of strippers?
I think we may have to credit this builder with introducing the roller fairlead to mandolins, plus a few more novel things as well as mutating specifications. Some of us might get strange ideas, but...
Done, but it’s MK V. The first version using the original gear and worm in a new, solid housing, failed because the gear would be the part that failed and would be expensive to reproduce. The next...
This is identical to the one I just patched up (photo attached). It was on CL for rather cheap, with case in January. To settle one disputed claim, the ones with this particular stencil can be...
I have more than a few customers, mostly PhDs, if that’s relevant, who would need this particular instruction.
Jeff, from the look of things, I think re-doing all the string slots is in order. Shave a skotch off the top and start clean.
My theory about the oft-mentioned shimmer of the SOLs is a beat...
So, Galiano as in NYC, NJ, Schmidt, Chicago? If ChiTown, does that imply some SOLs are from there? I think the FBI needs to get involved.
Careful, sir, you may have inadvertently revealed yourself as having a connection to science, which here, as in many other human interests, is dangerous and quietly unwelcome. Perhaps not as overt...
I’ve been buying old mandolins, many are bowl backs at least a century old. On receipt, all get a spray of household insecticide and household sanitizer - inside, just because. Especially in the...
I’m sure some of you have done something like this: raising the tailpiece to lessen the downforce on a fragile instrument. In this case, an awful Rover 35 whose top was collapsing. I pulled the...
Glad there’s interest. So far, couple of experiments, shown in the photo. However, a friend had a better idea that I may get to fairly soon. In the photo, the MK I aluminum machined housing for...
To follow Adrian’s comments about non-ergonomic use of hand tools, certainly in the West, I’d like to mention that before power tools were widespread, hand tools evolved to maximize human strength....
Whatever you use, try to avoid holding the work with one hand and any power tool with the other: that almost guarantees injury.
Any high speed rotary tool, hand held, can inflict nasty injuries. ...