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Thread: sOliver mandolin arm rests

  1. #1
    Novice Grimm's Avatar
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    Thumbs up sOliver mandolin arm rests

    I didn't see a thread here with Mr Oliver's arm rests as the topic so here's my experience:

    I heard about his armrests here on the forum so I checked out his webpage and proceeded to email him. He replied quickly and helped me pick a wood to compliment my instrument. He sent me pictures showing progress and sent a tracking number when he shipped.

    Within 8 days of contacting him I received a beautiful and functional piece of work and I could not be happier. I had problems with my arm sagging and my picking hand getting distorted and out of position. I had to stop and correct myself multiple times when playing. Now I can just set my forearm in the crook of the armrest and it stays put. Wonderful.

    Here is his page with contact information. And I'll attach a pic of the one he sent me.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/147007...7670698911524/
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  3. #2
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    Default Re: sOliver mandolin arm rests

    Very nice armrest. Unfortunately the one I purchased did not match the finish on the mandolin it was to be used.
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  4. #3
    Registered User JH Murray's Avatar
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    Default Re: sOliver mandolin arm rests

    Spencer did a custom olive wood arm rest for me. A pleasure to deal with and a great product.

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  6. #4

    Default Re: sOliver mandolin arm rests

    Agree totally have one of his armrest on my Kentucky KM150.
    What a pleasure to have a wonderful armrest from such a courteous and caring craftsman.Greeting from Oz.

    Tan

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  8. #5
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    Default Re: sOliver mandolin arm rests

    I am happy with the one I have from him also. Installed easily and nice finish on the armrest.

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  10. #6
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    Default Re: sOliver mandolin arm rests

    I've now purchased a 3rd armrest from Spencer. Very comfortable, beautifully finished, reasonably priced, promptly shipped. Spencer is great to work with. I also have 3 McClung armrests from Doug at Hill Country which I like a lot. Both products and people that I highly recommend!

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  12. #7
    I really look like that soliver's Avatar
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    Default Re: sOliver mandolin arm rests

    Thanks for the kind words everyone!... I'm regularly posting new Armrests available for purchase to feed my MAS, so keep an eye out!

    Many thanks!
    aka: Spencer
    Silverangel Econo A #429
    Soliver #001 & #002: A double stack of Pancakes.

    Soliver Hand Crafted Mandolins and Mandolin Armrests
    Armrests Here -- Mandolins Here

    "You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage
    to lose sight of the shore, ...and also a boat with no holes in it.” -anonymous

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  14. #8
    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
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    Default Re: sOliver mandolin arm rests

    I purchased a novel, custom "scroll envy" armrest from Spencer (soliver) for my A style mandolin. It's comfortable, and unique. I also have a McClung to compare it to. I'm thoroughly happy with Spencer's work as well as Doug's, they both make great products and are great guys to deal with.

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  15. #9
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    Default Re: sOliver mandolin arm rests

    That scroll armrest looks great on an A-style. I thought it was more intended for an F-style, but I like the look on the A.

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  17. #10
    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
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    Default Re: sOliver mandolin arm rests

    Am happy with the one I have. Works well and looks nice.
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  19. #11
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    Default Re: sOliver mandolin arm rests

    A pair of SOliver arm rests
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  21. #12
    Registered User Roger Moss's Avatar
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    Default Re: sOliver mandolin arm rests

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Gunter View Post
    I purchased a novel, custom "scroll envy" armrest from Spencer (soliver) for my A style mandolin. It's comfortable, and unique. I also have a McClung to compare it to. I'm thoroughly happy with Spencer's work as well as Doug's, they both make great products and are great guys to deal with.

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    I like it. It matches the f - hole. Was that intentional?
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  23. #13
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    Default Re: sOliver mandolin arm rests

    Hey Roger, When I came up with the idea for the F-scroll armrest, I wanted to make it to emulate the scroll on an F-style Mando, mostly for fun and to try something different. You are right about how it imitates the F-hole which was a happy accident actually. All of the ones I have made are in lighter woods. I have yet to make one out of a darker species.

    There is a thread on its development, but all the Pics are on my PhotoBucket account and so they are no longer public since they changed their policy about sharing your photos (which is an annoying can of worms that I won't open). I have made a few others and they are pretty cool IMHO.

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    Somehow MC always turns my photos sideways, but you get the idea
    aka: Spencer
    Silverangel Econo A #429
    Soliver #001 & #002: A double stack of Pancakes.

    Soliver Hand Crafted Mandolins and Mandolin Armrests
    Armrests Here -- Mandolins Here

    "You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage
    to lose sight of the shore, ...and also a boat with no holes in it.” -anonymous

  24. #14
    I really look like that soliver's Avatar
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    Default Re: sOliver mandolin arm rests

    Hey guys, just wanted to share a couple of custom orders that I worked on last month:

    First one I shared on the "Share a pic of thats on your workbench..." thread. It was an East Indian Rosewood Armrest that the customer asked for me to inset a "Hobo-nickel" penny into. "Hobo-nickel" refers to when an individual uses engraving tools to reshape the relief image on a coin to whatever they want. This coin was reshaped into a Grateful Dead lightning bolt which this individual felt suited him well being a big fan of Garcia:

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    The other was a custom request to fit a Blevins Octave. This one was custom in that the curvature of the octave is different from that of a standard mando. As well, I special ordered extra large hardware from Steve at Cumberland Acoustics to fit the 2 5/8" depth of the Instrument's body. This also was made from E. Indian Rosewood:

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    Thanks all!
    aka: Spencer
    Silverangel Econo A #429
    Soliver #001 & #002: A double stack of Pancakes.

    Soliver Hand Crafted Mandolins and Mandolin Armrests
    Armrests Here -- Mandolins Here

    "You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage
    to lose sight of the shore, ...and also a boat with no holes in it.” -anonymous

  25. #15
    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
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    Default Re: sOliver mandolin arm rests

    Those are nice, Spencer! I like the one with the coin inlaid. I've got an 1868 nickel that would look really cool in one of those! Always something else to ponder ...
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  27. #16
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    Default Re: sOliver mandolin arm rests

    Quote Originally Posted by soliver View Post
    Hey guys, just wanted to share a couple of custom orders that I worked on last month:

    The other was a custom request to fit a Blevins Octave. This one was custom in that the curvature of the octave is different from that of a standard mando. As well, I special ordered extra large hardware from Steve at Cumberland Acoustics to fit the 2 5/8" depth of the Instrument's body. This also was made from E. Indian Rosewood:

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Thanks all!
    What a great looking octave. Wait!! That's mine. The arm rest fits perfectly. The Lakota strap finishes out the ensemble.
    David Hopkins

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  29. #17

    Default sOliver mandolin arm rests

    More of Mr. Olivers fine work.
    Distressed ebonized walnut.

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  31. #18

    Default Re: sOliver mandolin arm rests

    I have one of his armrests on my Eastman Octave Mando- absolutely love it!

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  33. #19
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    Default Re: sOliver mandolin arm rests

    I know this is an old thread but I have to admit I have 3 of his arm rests: one on the Blevins octave, one on the Breedlove Quartz FF and one on the Gibson F5L. The workmanship is impeccable.
    David Hopkins

    2001 Gibson F-5L mandolin
    Breedlove Legacy FF mandolin; Breedlove Quartz FF mandolin
    Gibson F-4 mandolin (1916); Blevins f-style Octave mandolin, 2018
    McCormick Oval Sound Hole "Reinhardt" Mandolin
    McCormick Solid Body F-Style Electric Mandolin; Slingerland Songster Guitar (c. 1939)

    The older I get, the less tolerant I am of political correctness, incompetence and stupidity.

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