This mandolin was discussed awhile ago on this thread as possibly being the very first known Gibson snakehead.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin....hl=1922
Here is a summary of the before pictures with restoration and final pictures to follow.
This mandolin was discussed awhile ago on this thread as possibly being the very first known Gibson snakehead.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin....hl=1922
Here is a summary of the before pictures with restoration and final pictures to follow.
Gail Hester
The owner wanted the mandolin repaired and restored to a more traditional look. The first step was to check graduations to ensure it would hold up to finish sanding and then strip off the Les Paul finish.
Gail Hester
Next there were a few repairs needed. First I plugged the poorly done retrofit Kluson tuner holes.
Gail Hester
I then added a cleat inside and in front of the tailblock to stabilize the start of a small surface split.
Gail Hester
I installed a headstock overlay since the original was crumbling away and a MOP logo.
Gail Hester
Here are some finished pictures starting with the top sporting a new bridge.
Gail Hester
The headstocks.
Gail Hester
The back with some "new" old tuners.
Gail Hester
Gail:
Nicely done. Can you tell me if the 12th fret cross grain binding at the neck was always dark? Did it take some of the stain from the earlier finish? My understanding was that they usually matched the body binding color. Thanks.
___
j.
www.condino.com
Lastly, the full front. This 1922 mandolin sounds great and is nearly indistinguishable from our 1924 snakehead however the 1922 has notably thicker graduations. It seems a shame to break up the pair but this one is heading home tomorrow to its anxious owner.
Gail Hester
Excellent work, I really like the new finish, nice color.
Cedar Top WYE
"Can you tell me if the 12th fret cross grain binding at the neck was always dark?"
Yes, the crosspiece and the binding are original.
Gail Hester
One more picture of the back.
Gail Hester
Is it my imagination or is there some top sinkage?
Looks great btw!
Jason Anderson
"...while a great mandolin is a wonderful treat, I would venture to say that there is always more each of us can do with the tools we have available at hand. The biggest limiting factors belong to us not the instruments." Paul Glasse
Stumbling Towards Competence
Your imagination.
This mandolin is very solid and carved relatively thick. It is very shinny though which may cause some illusions in the pictures. Can you find the Taylor logo from my shop apron?
Gail Hester
Gail, nicely done. Sometimes it is difficult to keep them from being too shiny. Hard to hold back when they will go that way.
Thanks Michael. I could have distressed it a little but the owner opted to wear it naturally. The finish is very thin and should sink into the grain and start looking old within a six months or so.
Gail Hester
Very nice work
'02 Gibson master model #70327 02-01-02
'25 Gibson A-4 Snakehead #82626
'06 Hicks #1 and #2 F-5 still not done
Gibson F-5 Master Model Registry
wow, great work Gail!
Nice job, Gail. Yup, I believe I see the reflection of your apron. I love the color. Did you french polish shellac, or varnish?
http://www.stephaniereiser.com then click mandolins
beaut!
Those old Snakeheads are my favorites. Extremely nice Gail. I'm sure its tough to let it go. Lp
J.Lane Pryce
Whew! That mandolin looks like it is much more comfortable now than it was under that "Les Paul" finish!
Is that a four piece top or is there just a sudden change in the spruce here?
John Hamlett
www.hamlettinstruments.com
Good work! It's good for another century or more now, as long as it's treated well.
I notice the finish on the headstock, if I'm reading your photo right, seems to be aged somehow:
Did it just happen or did you put some sort of whammy on it?
Thanks everyone.
John, It is a four piece top but not where your line is although there is a dramatic grain change where your line is. There are actually little wings of about a quarter of an inch on the edge.
Paul, There is a little whammy on the headstock. I left a little texture in the underlying varnish.
Stephanie, The finish is thin oil varnish with shellac French polish.
Gail Hester
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