My Aniane #1 DONE

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Well she is done. Strung her up on Sunday. She really sounds nice. I am starting to collect tools to start number 2. My wife "Aniane" gave me the ok to build more just can't go crazy spending money. So I am on an allowance of monthly spending to achieve my tool collection. Next one will be a kit again and then its all scratch.

Here are a couple finished pics. No good back pics yet but maybe this weekend.

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Another

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another

[GMatt]

Very beautiful! Good job! Does it require a lot of tools to build from a kit? I'd love to give it a shot some time.

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another

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One more picture.

Matt I built this one with the bare minimum. A drill, dremel tool, coping saw (hand), finger plane, random orbital sander, and that is about it. You need a few small things, if you plan to try it just start. It is well worth it. Just be patient and learn each step, as you go.

[Yonkle]

Looks Good Danny, lets see the back. How does is sound? I noticed mine started to wake up bit while playing tonight. The more I play it the more I like it.
If you like the tone now just wait it get only better.
Did you get all the "jean" imprints out of the shellac OK?
I like the color you choose. JD

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Hey JD

I did get the jean prints out. I will get some pictures up of the back this weekend. It is kinda rainy and cold here in Minnesota this week, and I am back to work. But I will get some taken this weekend. She does sound really good.

Here is one before I strung her up.

[straight-a]

Great job! Very neat and precise work!

[Brad Weiss]

Wow! Whose kit did you use? How much flexibilty does it allow you (e.g, can you vary the neck width, string spacing, f-hole placement/size) The finish (along with the rest of it!) is gorgeous!

[Yonkle]

Brad W. With the StewMAc Kit, there is a lot of flexability. The neck is left a little wide so you decide how narrow or wide you want it. The nut is not cut or shaped no slots in it, just a piece of bone,you do the rest. Bridge, tailpiece,tuners, strings, binding, fret wire, inlay, stain, finish is all up to YOU. The scroll is NOT carved nor are the "F holes" cut, so you can do what you wish to it. Basicly you get the machined wood sides bent,neck,top&back plate cut fairly close to size and shape, and thats about it.
There is still a lot of work to do, Stewmac sends the rim pre-made so that saves you a lot of headache and time. With Siminoff you have to make or buy a mold and build the rim yourself, other than that they are about the same as far as how much work is involved. The only thing you can't change is the size and shape of the body and the lenght of the neck, but why would you change it? If you could and did then it would not be a F5! JD

[Joe F]

Danny,
If you're in the Twin Cities area, you should bring it to one of the jams at the Homestead Pickin' Parlor in Richfield. I'd love to hear what it sounds like.

[Steve Davis]

That was from the Stewmac kit? Wow. Great results.Makes me wonder whether to order the IV kit or the Stewmac one for more $. The results are very impressive.

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Steve it was a stew mac kit and it was vell worth every penny I paid. Make sure if you buy the stew mac, to get the video with it (saves $50) because the video is very very helpful!

Joe I plan to come down to the Homestead sometime, I just want to learn to play a little better. But I did go to the jam in Rochester last Wed and it was a blast. This Sunday I will take #1 to her first jam in Fergus Falls. I can't wait.

[Kent Barnes]

Great work Danny! I finished my first a little over 2 years ago, and I know what a thrill that is! The feelings of accomplishment and pride are hard to explain. My wife still just rolls her eyes when I have to show off my mandolins to everyone that comes in the house.

Now you have to do one from scratch!

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Thanks for the comments. I plan to do the next one from a kit but #3 will be from scratch.