M.A.S. Hit and I couldn't resist..

[Joey Anchors]

So back in December I bought the MD404 and love it. At the time I was debating about ordering a flattop from Terry over at Crystal Forest Mandolins, but decided to go with the Eastman.

Well after really enjoying the Eastman and getting more into Jazz/jump blues only..

I'll be placing an order in for a custom five string flattop with Terry in the next few weeks!!

I'll keep everyone posted on how the specs pan out.

[JeffD]

Classic MAS. In the choice of this mandolin or that mandolin, you eventually came to the obvious conclusion: both.

[Dave Hanson]

5 string flat top ? is that a banjo ? sounds like a banjo description to me.

Dave H

[Mandoplumb]

5 string flat top ? is that a banjo ? sounds like a banjo description to me.Dave H

Don't use such language on this forum.LOL

[TheGourdsFan]

"choice of this mandolin or that mandolin"
...Yes, please!

[Bob Clark]

Hey Joey,

I hope you enjoy your Crystal Forest mandolin as much as I enjoy mine (Terry's #14). He's a great guy to deal with, as well. You are in for a lot of fun!

Best wishes,

Bob

[Franc Homier Lieu]

five string flattop

five course? with a C below the G?

[Joey Anchors]

five course? with a C below the G?

Yes it will be a five string (single course) with a low C

[Joey Anchors]

Hey Joey,

I hope you enjoy your Crystal Forest mandolin as much as I enjoy mine (Terry's #14). He's a great guy to deal with, as well. You are in for a lot of fun!

Best wishes,

Bob

Thanks Bob!

Can't wait to hash out all the fine details this coming week with a Terry.

[Joey Anchors]

First update: I'm officially on Terry's build list!

[Joey Anchors]

And it has begun:

[Joey Anchors]

Sides being bent and glued.

[Joey Anchors]

Terry is moving quickly. Here he has the fingerboard fretted, inlayed and bound. Along with the bodies fully assembled.

[MontanaMatt]

Wow, that was quick! You'll be picking her in no time. Luthiers are awesome people!

[Bob Clark]

Hi Joey,

It's looking great. You must really be suffering with anticipation! Terry does some amazing staining, so I am looking forward to the next set of photos.

Just as a suggestion, once you have it, try Thomastik Mittles on it. I use them on my other instruments and for a long time I didn't think they would be right for my Crystal Forest. Then I tried them. Now they are all I use on it. YMMV, but they might be just the thing for you, too.

[Joey Anchors]

Hi Joey,

It's looking great. You must really be suffering with anticipation! Terry does some amazing staining, so I am looking forward to the next set of photos.

Just as a suggestion, once you have it, try Thomastik Mittles on it. I use them on my other instruments and for a long time I didn't think they would be right for my Crystal Forest. Then I tried them. Now they are all I use on it. YMMV, but they might be just the thing for you, too.

I'll have to give those a try!

[Joey Anchors]

Also can anyone guess what the top wood is?


I know what it is.. thought it would a fun game of guess that tone wood!

[Joey Anchors]

The back before staining.

[pheffernan]

Also can anyone guess what the top wood is? I know what it is.. thought it would a fun game of guess that tone wood!

Redwood? Whatever it is, it'd look great with a dark stain, almost black, but translucent, not opaque!

[Joey Anchors]

Redwood? Whatever it is, it'd look great with a dark stain, almost black, but translucent, not opaque!

That didn't take long.. haha! Yes it is California Redwood.

Pheffernan, that is a great idea on the stain! I'm so in love with blacktops that she will be opaque with a brown stain (of Terry's choosing) on the back, sides and neck.

[pheffernan]

That didn't take long.. haha! Yes it is California Redwood. Pheffernan, that is a great idea on the stain! I'm so in love with blacktops that she will be opaque with a brown stain (of Terry's choosing) on the back, sides and neck.

I love black tops too, both old . . .



. . . and new.



But sometimes a top has such beautiful figure that I'd hate to hide it entirely!

[Joey Anchors]

But sometimes a top has such beautiful figure that I'd hate to hide it entirely!

That flattop is gorgeous! I do love the grain of the piece redwood Terry is using on mine.

[pheffernan]

I do love the grain of the piece redwood Terry is using on mine.

I do too along with the rosy hue. I'd be tempted to ask Marty Jacobson his secret to making his curly redwood tops look so incredible.

http://martinjacobson.com/id/project...od-and-bubinga

http://martinjacobson.com/id/project...us-23-mandolin

http://martinjacobson.com/id/projects/mando/jacobson-29

[Marty Jacobson]

There's no secret. You can apply dye and sand back to enhance the grain, but I didn't do that on any of those.
Curly redwood is naturally incredible to look at. :-) Makes my job easy.