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I’m really sorry to hear about this. I was in touch with Keith years ago about a mandolin of his that came through my shop for minor repair. He was helpful and very excited about building mandolins....

If I understand you correctly, the harmonic on the “e” strings occurs at the 13th fret instead of at the 12th fret like the other strings. To me, that indicates that the “e” strings are probably...

Very sad to hear of Phil’s passing. He would come to my shop for adjustments and fretwork on his mandolins and he would tell me about his family while I worked. He was one of the kindest and gentlest...

I hope that will work for you now, but if it still bows too much, one other option would be to do a compression fret job with EVO # 37053-230
It’s got a thicker tang and would stiffen the neck...

Phil,
I’m so sad to hear this news. I know you’ve been dealing with a lot of pain for a long time. You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers and I want you to know that I always enjoyed our visits when...

I have been very pleased with a truss rod combined with a small piece ( 1/8” wide by 1/4” tall) of carbon fiber on each side. But, the first time I tried it, I used a “hot rod” style truss rod and...

I appreciate you telling us about this. Although I've gotten pretty good at using thin superglue on loose binding there's always real potential for problems, so I'm gonna try the melamine glue on the...

I would guess that if you found that much glue in the slots the previous repair person may have used medium thickness or even gel superglue and put it in the slot before putting the fret in. If you...

Yes, the jam that used to be at Mill Mt. Coffee in Daleville is now at DesChutes downtown, still on wed. nights.

Yes, a single action truss rod has to be below the neutral axis of the neck or it just won't work. It might help stiffen the neck some, but it just won't bend it backward. I think the deeper the rod...

Of all the mandolins that I have worked on over the years I can only remember 2 that had a back bow in the neck, and they were both carbon fiber mandolins. I can't remember if the fretboards were...

Hi John,
Thanks for clearing that up for me! I was afraid that you'd forgotten that you once owned one of my mandolins! Good luck to your friend who is selling #50 and I hope he gets a ton of money...

JAK-- I'm a little bit confused! I made a mandolin for you back in about 2000, but you asked about my mandolins as though you'd never seen one? What's the story?

Hi Ken,
I've sent you a PM. Thanks. Ward Elliott

My experience with that same plane is the same as Charles E. I wound up reshaping the entire sole of the plane and it is now a pretty good tool. The way it was shaped originally forced me to arch my...

Yeah, what David described is the same thing I've seen a couple times. The wear is between the strings, not under them. It's weird looking and I think it may be the "acid sweat" issue, just may work...

Yeah, we probably ought to talk about that thing next year, make a plan! I still want to get up to see you and maybe bring my friend Mike K. who has been doing some building here in Floyd lately....

That was supposed to be a smiley face at the end!

Hi David,
I have never seen any available either. I wish Jescar did make it, I would use it quite often. I've gone to the EVO for customers who really want that size, but you're right, there are...

If you're willing to drive to Roanoke, you might be able to take lessons from Herschel Sizemore. He's particular about who he teaches, but he's helped to create some very good players over the...

Steve,
I have some of the .040 wide wire. If you're only looking for enough for one mandolin,
I'd be happy to send you some. I have that size in nickel silver and also in stainless steel.
Just...

Hi Jim,
I'm still around, I just don't spend much time online. and I sent you a pm. Best, Ward

John... That is a tough one. Have you tried blotting on some powdered color with a pad similar to what you'd use for French polish? You can get it in all kinds of colors, including white, and it does...

Hi Jim,
Yes, I did drop my landline recently, so if you'll message me I'll give you my cell number. I don't think Scott would find it appropriate for me to post it here. Thanks, Ward Elliott

Thanks for the support folks, but I don't want to highjack Chris's thread, so let me just say that I am also very fond of the EVO wire and mention a couple things. The EVO is available in .053" and...