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Thread: Getting some work done on a Gibson mandolin in Illinois

  1. #1

    Default Getting some work done on a Gibson mandolin in Illinois

    Looking for advice. I have a new to me Gibson A5 from the late 90's, and I'd like to find a good luthier to work on it. I'm considering scooping out the fretboard extension (the clicking is driving me crazy and I'm never going to play up that high), speed-necking it, and the bridge needs some fine tuning. Maybe also some fretwork.

    I'm pretty sure I can send it to Bruce Weber in Montana and he'll do a great job, but I'm wondering if there's a good local option so I don't have to ship it. I'm in Champaign. Any recommendations of someone good?

  2. #2
    Registered User geechee's Avatar
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    Default Re: Getting some work done on a Gibson mandolin in Illinois

    Might want to check with Tyler White over in Bloomington IN. Can’t say enough good things about him and his work. http://www.whitemandolins.com

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  4. #3

    Default Re: Getting some work done on a Gibson mandolin in Illinois

    Wow. Those are some beautiful instruments. Thanks for the tip.

  5. #4

    Default Re: Getting some work done on a Gibson mandolin in Illinois

    Dale Ludewig is in Illinois. http://www.ludewigmandolins.com/
    2010 Heiden A5, 2020 Pomeroy oval A, 2013 Kentucky KM1000 F5, 2012 Girouard A Mandola w ff holes, 2001 Old Wave A oval octave
    http://HillbillyChamberMusic.bandcamp.com
    Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@hillbillychambermusic

  6. #5
    Ursus Mandolinus Fretbear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Getting some work done on a Gibson mandolin in Illinois

    Quote Originally Posted by geechee View Post
    Might want to check with Tyler White over in Bloomington IN. Can’t say enough good things about him and his work. http://www.whitemandolins.com
    Compare the delicate dimensions of Tyler's F-holes to what you typically see.

    The earliest Loars had smaller sized F-Holes than the later ones.

    Some of the Loar Mandolas (which had bigger bodies) had smaller F-holes that looked more like these.

    I have always felt that the standard sized ones were excessive.
    But Amsterdam was always good for grieving
    And London never fails to leave me blue
    And Paris never was my kinda town
    So I walked around with the Ft. Worth Blues

  7. #6
    Adrian Minarovic
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    Default Re: Getting some work done on a Gibson mandolin in Illinois

    Quote Originally Posted by Fretbear View Post
    Compare the delicate dimensions of Tyler's F-holes to what you typically see.

    The earliest Loars had smaller sized F-Holes than the later ones.

    Some of the Loar Mandolas (which had bigger bodies) had smaller F-holes that looked more like these.

    I have always felt that the standard sized ones were excessive.
    Size of f holes affects resonance of body air cavity (Dave correct me if I worded it wrong). Generally smaller apertures will shift the resonance towards bass notes.
    The (relatively) smaller apertures of mandolas can help with the lowest notes as the body itself is not sized proportionally to tuning (when compared to mandolin).
    Early Loars had quite a few deviations from what later Loars show, but that has probably more with re-tooling and new fixtures after initial "prototype" batches were finished.
    Adrian

  8. #7
    Registered User Rodney Riley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Getting some work done on a Gibson mandolin in Illinois

    Look up Steve Perry’s profile. I haven’t been spending much time here at the cafe, so not sure his status now. Remember that he had move to the Chicago area. He did the mando voodoo. Reprofiling the bracing on mandolins.

    Sorry, did some checking. I see he moved to Virginia in 2021. (<Removed by Moderator>).
    Last edited by MikeEdgerton; May-18-2023 at 11:22am. Reason: Posting Guidelines

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