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I bought one off the music store wall in 1977 not knowing much at all about them, was just lusting for an F model.799.00 brand new and a monthly payment of 32.00. Beat on it for over 20 years on the...

Just finished this one up today. Number 8 in the F style. I'm Happy.

Search ebay: New Top Grade Microgroove Pattern Hardshell Mandolin Case for F Style Mandolins... 41.77 with free shipping. I've bought several of these, they are just fine.

Here's my latest,#7, in the white for test driving. I put a couple cell phone vids on youtube. Under Hughes mandolin # 7. Red spruce top, curly maple elsewhere.

Yep, yesterday..

Just got back from the auction, It went for 5500.00 plus 3% buyers premium and Va. state tax. I ran it up best I could but too rich for me. Traverse brace loose and warped, broken off/missing small...

My 1922 A-2 lives in a gator ABS case, fits perfect....

I was hoping to keep it under wraps!. Even a blind pig finds an acorn every now and then. I just don't know how high to bid to make it a deal. I see blonde and black faced ones around but not this...

I see this coming up at a local estate auction. Looks unmolested and in the original case. Small scroll missing on the head stock. Any idea what it might bring? I might have to go to the bank..

I've coaxed them off with very thin wood shims and defunct credit cards, nudging and prying gently along the length a little at a time. I had one that was really stuck good and it took me nearly 3...

Check out a polytone mini brute, it's what I use on mine and it screams. Bought it new in the early 1980's. They can be had on Ebay.

Here's a blue A model I built for a customer. Turned out well I thought.

I bought one of the newer 4 string ones when it came out and was somewhat disappointed in the sound, mainly the no volume E string and intonation issues because of the bridge. Installed a almuse...

I have that same tailpiece on my '58 Gibson A-5, although it's gold plated not nickel.

I just finished up this short neck F style for a customer who also likes the feel of the vintage gibson A models. Joins the body at the 12th fret and has the fatter feel he was looking for. I could...

Point well taken Ivan. This (and most all my little demo vids) were taken in my kitchen using my antique android phone. I agree that I need to find a better system to show them off. It's not really a...

I was going to but opted just to lacquer and wet sand between coats, worked out fine. Might have taken longer but it turned out like I wanted.

Here's the latest F-5 mandolin I just finished up. Walnut body and neck with red spruce top. Short neck per the customers request along with vine inlay on the radius fretboard. Speed necked as well....

I believe i'd use any/all of the methods above and the seal the inside with shellac before buttoning it up.

You make your tops that thin at the tailpiece end? Mine show good light around the recurve area but I tend to leave a little meat down the center of the top from the fingerboard to the tailpiece. I...

My 5th take on the Griffith Loar A model. Left handed model I was asked to build. Just strung it up an hour ago.Still not where I want to be but get better on every one.

At this point I would wet sand lightly to see if it would somewhat level the blisters out without disturbing the base color. If the base color still looks OK you'll have to build some lacquer coats...

Very nice!. No one will notice but you! We are our own biggest critics. Every mandolin I build has something that haunts me.

Finally got a video of my latest builds, both less than 2 weeks old. No enhancements, just recorded on an android phone in the kitchen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIezy14mI1U...

Thanks Ivan! I usually do use abalone ferns but I had the flowerpot hanging around so I put it in this one.The pics really don't do the MOP justice, it has nice bubble to it up close.I think I still...