Well better late than never. Here is the finished IV F5 kit mandolin that I've been building. I've made so many mistakes that with all honesty, I'll have to call it a “mandolin like object” The tone sound seems surprisingly good but it buzzes like hell right now and I need to do a complete set-up to dial it in. I think that I made every mistake in the book(and maybe some not in the book). Some of the defects are hard to look at. For some reason, the binding that was supplied with the kit soaked up and permanently stained with the use of the alcohol based leather dye that Seminoff recommended. It looks terrible and I was unable to scrape it off. The ivoriod peghead binding that I purchased from Seminoff had no trouble with scrapping off the dye. Also after the stain had been put on, I noticed a hairline fracture on the top of the soundboard that really pissed me off. It might have came with the kit but I can't prove it. All in all, I got frustrated with the defects and didn't put as much effort into final sanding so there are still some hairline sanding marks that can be seen. I considered ripping off the binding and re-doing the binding and the finish but I think that I'll use this as an object lesson for the next one that I plan to build, a scratch build and not take the trouble to re-do this one. Live and learn.
Not quite sure what to tell people who look too closely at it but I am considering the following explanations:
1. I was so completely impressed with the “distressed look” that so many companies are using that I decided to emulate it.
2. I've always admired the Amish who as an homage to God always leave a bit of imperfection in their work. They feel that only God can make something perfect.
Anyway, put a fork in it, it's done!
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