Just finished an "A" kit and ...

[clarksavage]

It is really nice. An IV kit from a few years ago, I finally got the gumption to go for it a few weeks ago. Of course, with just a few hand tools and limited patience (but I am learning a lot more about patience and its virtues now!) - it shows that I'm a novice builder.

But, the sound is really great! It is a sweet, light sound; loud, very loud. The top is really nice looking and the light stain shows the neat features of the maple grain on the back. I'm very happy with it. The tuners are so very cheap that they merely work (but that will do :-). The routing for the binding was difficult but was roughly OK. The final shaping on the neck still shows a few of my crafting marks, but it is smooth where it counts.

Gotta do this again soon. Wood is very neat stuff.

Clark

[bmac]

Many of us , myself included got our start with an A kit by "Saga" as sold by several vendors such as International Violin. Your kit was more difficult to build. But it often gives the "builder" confidence to go on and do other building projects, different kits or complicated projects. The beauty of these kits is you need only rudimentary tools which most folks already have, or can purchase reasonably economically.. even a simple kit can put one way ahead of others in understanding how the instrument works and how to fix and adjust it oneself, if necessary. Well worth the money and effort. And by the way... if you are like me, your second one will sound even better.

[bmac]

I guess I mis-read your post... we built the same kit I believe. and yes, it was a great learning experience.

[Willie Poole]

Clark, I have never built a mandolin but I find it amazing as to what can be done with some small pieces of the right wood, and how to make such a small instrument so loud...Maybe I will have to give it a try when I have a year or so to put into it....

Willie

[JEStanek]

C'mon.... post a photo or two. I would love to see it and you can inspire other budding builders to give it a go.

Jamie

[JeffD]

Grab that mandolin, (and the bouzouki) and come east for a visit.

[clarksavage]

I'll get some photos posted a little later. Great to hear all the comments. I've been playing it for friends and neighbors. A neighbor musician wanted to buy it from me, I offered him number 2 :-)

Clark

[clarksavage]

Here are a few photos, night here so its indoor light. The mandolin actually sounds good (light, sweet long ring, very loud). The top looks really nice, the stain on the back went beyond my ability to control but still looks interesting to me. It is a poly satin finish (I wanted something simple first time out.)

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...Mando1/Top.jpg

and

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...ando1/Back.jpg

intermediate -

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...veToneBars.jpg

and one more -

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...ndo1/Front.jpg

Its been just great.

Clark

[Astro]

Wow that looks great ! Congratulations !!

Bridge looks a little catiwompus, but then I am too. I'd buy that in a second.

Hope you took the shavings out !

BTW, could you sculpt those tone bars to make me sound just like Bill Monroe ?

[Rosemary Philips]

Looks great--congratulations!

[Dobe]

[QUOTE=clarksavage;1081775](but I am learning a lot more about patience and its virtues now!)

Congrats Clark ! - pateince was the hardest thing for me to learn. (still working on it )

[oneeyeross]

...BTW, could you sculpt those tone bars to make me sound just like Bill Monroe ?

Let me know how that works for you. I want to sound like Jethro

[epicentre]

The IV kit I put together in 2008 and have played daily since, sounded good when made, now sounds great. - in spite of my playing.

Just about tempted to do another, oval hole this time with cross bracing, or maybe just the Gibson style oval lateral brace just south of the soundhole. Who knows. Might work.

[OldSausage]

Try it - what's the worst that could happen?

[Tom Cherubini]

Do those kits have stress rods in the neck?