Re: Post a picture of what's on your bench?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Tukanu
Just completed a nice little Selmer Style 4 string jazz mando. It is made of Sycamore and Spruce with a maple neck.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Tukanu
Thanks Jim.
The customer wanted a 330mm scale, basically 13". It is strung with Thomastik (of course).
I went a little lighter on the bracing because it has only 4 strings.
Interesting choice of sycamore. What are the tonal properties of that wood? I am unfamiliar with that though we have a large sycamore in our front yard. It is still doing well so no mandolins out of that one yet.
Re: Post a picture of what's on your bench?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jim Garber
Interesting choice of sycamore. What are the tonal properties of that wood? I am unfamiliar with that though we have a large sycamore in our front yard. It is still doing well so no mandolins out of that one yet.
Very similar to mahogany, but with a more interesting grain.
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Re: Post a picture of what's on your bench?
I'm mostly a mandolin builder, but given the enthusiasm of folks in this thread for beautiful woods, I couldn't help but post my latest build, all local woods from Tanzania where I live. Attachment 206648Back and sides are Pterocarpus angolensis, top and purfling are Juniperus procera, fretboard and binding Dalbergia melanoxylon. She's as loud and resonant as she is beautiful.Attachment 206645Attachment 206646Attachment 206647
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Re: Post a picture of what's on your bench?
No disrespect for the beautiful instruments in this thread. Clearing off my bench is my main motivation to build an instrument. It gets like this very quickly after a build or repair. Well, not sideways.
Attachment 206664
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Re: Post a picture of what's on your bench?
This has been competing for bench time with the Griffith tribute.
F5 pegheads are not the only ones that take too much time! I could have made several entire guitar necks in the time this peghead has taken... so far!
Attachment 206678Attachment 206679
Re: Post a picture of what's on your bench?
That inlay is magnificent, John, and the volute is so beautifully sharp.
Re: Post a picture of what's on your bench?
Very nice. A two piece birds beak neck joint?
Re: Post a picture of what's on your bench?
Thanks folks.
The inlay I farmed out to Precision Pearl. It's a standard pattern that they have in the computer (CNC), so I wouldn't cut and inlay those pearl pieces for what they charge me.
The diamond volute is purely cosmetic. It is carved on a one piece neck. This will make half a dozen guitars for the same customer, all with the same peghead.
Re: Post a picture of what's on your bench?
The precision of your work is what makes the "purely cosmetic" aspects - including the inlay and slots - so stunning, at least to my eye.
Re: Post a picture of what's on your bench?
The diamond volute originated with methods of attaching a separate piece of wood to the neck shaft for the peghead. There are 3 different neck joints (that I know of) that can result in a diamond volute... or not, if it is simply carved away. It's a somewhat curious thing that the look is so popular that the volute remains even though the joints have largely fallen by the wayside. When we build a one-piece neck with a diamond volute we are imitating a glue joint.
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Re: Post a picture of what's on your bench?
Blackwood and spruce, mahogany neck, ebony fretboard and binding, Blackheart Sugar Maple headstock veneer. Waiting for finish to set up a bit more (and for a drilling jig to arrive) then will install tuners.
Attachment 206763 Attachment 206764 Attachment 206761
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Re: Post a picture of what's on your bench?
Attachment 206765
My first attempt at a nyckelharpa coming along. Sawed sides!
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Re: Post a picture of what's on your bench?
Very nice, wonderful finish.
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Re: Post a picture of what's on your bench?
Re: Post a picture of what's on your bench?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Magnus Geijer
Cool! Are the sides of your nyckelharpa cut from solid? Is that the usual method of construction. I'd always assumed they were built like violins.
Here's the colascione all completed...
https://i.imgur.com/yH6mGCY.jpg
A soundboard and pegbox for an oud...
https://i.imgur.com/xOwK5dO.jpg
And how bear claw spruce is made ;)
https://i.imgur.com/8Cmv80E.jpg
Re: Post a picture of what's on your bench?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sunburst
Hey John I have to ask, is the joke here that this is the Griffith Observatory?
Re: Post a picture of what's on your bench?
Yes, the Griffith Observatory inlay is a bit of a joke suggested by the owner of the mandolin. I gather that it is a well known landmark, but It's probably more recognizable to people from the western US than it is in these parts.
Re: Post a picture of what's on your bench?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Dusepo
I always wondered about that. 😹
Have you been talking with Bill Bussmann???
Also liking the inlay on the oud top. And the rosette on the colascione. Beautiful work, as always, from your hands.
Re: Post a picture of what's on your bench?
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Re: Post a picture of what's on your bench?
Attachment 206874
Finished up the inlay last night and excited to at last see this HS veneer shining in its place!
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Re: Post a picture of what's on your bench?
Attachment 206958
Not on my bench for the photo because I hung it up outside. Busy varnishing.