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Thread: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

  1. #1
    Mandolin tragic Graham McDonald's Avatar
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    Default A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

    A year or two back the National Music Museum in South Dakota published The Masters Bench by Paul Schmit and Arian Sheets. It is a book about the work of John D'Angelico, Jimmy D'Aquisto and Paul Guldelsky and full of drawings and photos of templates and jigs from the workshops of these builders. It includes a sketch by Jimmy D'Aquisto of an idea for an Art Deco mandolin and I thought it would be an interesting project to build one inspired by that sketch.

    It is made from maple and Sitka spruce with tortoise celluloid binding. The head overlay is very old burl walnut veneer, with Gotoh tuners and an Allen tailpiece. A little amber stain on the maple and a satin nitro lacquer. The sides are bent in sections with small shaped blocks overlapping the joins. A challenging and fun project.

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  3. #2
    Registered User John Soper's Avatar
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    Default Re: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

    Graham: That is one spectacular looking mandolin. Unique from the endpin to the headstock. I'm sure that constructing the ribs wasextra hours of effort and especially with the lines of inlay accentuating the stepped ribs. I love how the design echos the motif of the ribs at the end of the fingerboard and outline of the headstock. The sound hole design is supported by the open headstock. And lastly, love the blonde finish. I'm sure it sounds as delightful as it looks. Kudos!

  4. #3
    Registered User John Kelly's Avatar
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    Default Re: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

    Great piece of creative craftsmanship, Graham. How does it sound?
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  5. #4
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    Default Re: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

    That mandolin looks marvelous! (Channeling Billy Crystal.)

    Totally great looking!

    f-d
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  6. #5
    Registered User Nathan Kellstadt's Avatar
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    Default Re: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

    That's fantastic, Graham.

  7. #6
    Registered User slimt's Avatar
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    Default Re: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

    I like the looks of that. Very Nice.

  8. #7
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

    Wow. Really a great project. A great idea.

    I am struck by that peg head. I don't think there is a mandolin, or guitar, with anything like that. I could be wrong, as I am hardly a thorough follower of such things. A step away from anything being done, without being revolutionary or transgressive. How can an idea be unique and new and also seeming very obvious and entirely fitting with tradition.

    Hind sight 20/20 that does look like a Jimmy D'Aquisto idea. But was a headstock like that ever actually made, for guitar or mandolin?

    Great job. Really great.
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  9. #8
    Moderator JEStanek's Avatar
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    Default Re: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

    It looks so good. Great work.

    Jamie
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  10. #9
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    Default Re: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

    Wow?
    Are the ribs done violin style with multiple pieces?

  11. #10
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    Default Re: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

    Wow? ??? no, WOW! Quite nice.
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  12. #11
    I really look like that soliver's Avatar
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    Default Re: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

    100% agree with the coolness factor! It's a beauty Graham!

    I'm curious about the structure and construction of the sides?!?!?!
    aka: Spencer
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  13. #12
    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

    Lovely work!

    and - if I ever saw a mandolin that looks like a "jazz" mandolin, that's certainly one of them.

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  15. #13
    Jo Dusepo, luthier Dusepo's Avatar
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    Default Re: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

    Beautiful work!
    I am a luthier specialising in historical and world stringed instruments. You can see more info at my website.

  16. #14
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

    Beautiful work Graham!That design would make a good looking octave too.
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

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  18. #15
    Registered User j. condino's Avatar
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    Default Re: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

    Looks great Graham!

    I've been through the entire collection at the National Music Museum on an extremely quiet day when it was just myself and the person working the front door. There is an amazing amount of history sitting in that room, especially if you are willing to jump over the barriers and risk arrest to be able to go through every one of the drawers and get your hands directly on the real deal....!!!

    The MET in Manhattan also has a few items missing from that collection hidden back behind the scenes, like the D'A 2 point mandolin forms with Paul Simon's old phone number hand written in pencil. (Long ago disconnected; I called it to check!). There are other items from that workshop that I've used which wound up in the workshops of a couple of very well known builders.

    I'm working on a current large article and blueprint in the works for the Jimmy D'Aquisto mandolin, including a blueprint with all the numbers from mandolins #1 & 2 out of the three known to exist. More to come later this year....
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  19. #16
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    Default Re: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by HonketyHank View Post
    Wow? ??? no, WOW! Quite nice.
    Typo. mosr certainly wow!

  20. #17
    Kelley Mandolins Skip Kelley's Avatar
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    Default Re: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

    Graham, that is a true work of art. I love it.

  21. #18
    Registered User bpatrick's Avatar
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    Default Re: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

    I'm an Art Deco fan. You nailed it! Very nice.
    Bryan Patrick

  22. #19
    Registered User darylcrisp's Avatar
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    Default Re: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

    the fretboard, body, and headstock binding, wow, i bet that was some time consumption and a healthy dose of patience.

    beautiful, unique, and love the open headstock.

    wow
    d

  23. #20
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    Default Re: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

    Graham, a true functioning work of art. It would be hard to put this in a case and not be able to look at it. Maybe have to play in front of a mirror for a while just to see it while you play. Really nice design.
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  24. #21
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

    It's really beautiful. I'm a sucker for art deco

  25. #22
    Guitar & mandolin builder Tyko Runesson's Avatar
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    Default Re: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

    That looks really wonderful!

  26. #23

    Default Re: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

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    I wonder if Jimmy was inspired this bit of local architecture in his home town of NYC? It's the first thing I thought about when looking at Graham's beautiful Art Deco interpretation mandolin. Just lovely!!!

    Len B.
    Clearwater, FL

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  28. #24
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    Default Re: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

    Graham, That is truely a piece of art. I especially like the fret markers.
    Bob Schmidt

  29. #25

    Default Re: A new Art Deco inspired mandolin

    Very nice. Thanks for bringing that to life.

    My only quibble would be with the Florida. Deco and nouveau are distinctive for their symmetry, which the Florida throws off.
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