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Thread: Experimental OM design build

  1. #1
    Registered User JHumphrey's Avatar
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    Default Experimental OM design build

    I started building Octave Mandolins in 2007, based on the beautiful plans of Rick Westerman. I have developed some modifications and now have my own design, but I still like to experiment and try new things occasionally!

    This experimental Octave Mandolin will (hopefully) be ready in time for Marylhurst, so if you are in the Portland (Oregon) area you could come see it April 27/28!

    It will feature a soundport/soundhole that involves both the top and the side. The scale length will be 20.8". Top is red cedar (rescued from a fire wood pile) and back and sides are Koa.

    Here is a shot of where I am at now, gluing the sides on (solara style)

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    You can see the patch to reinforce the side port cut.

    To give some background of the genesis of the idea, here is a sketch of a bouzouki idea, which involved a soundhole placement based on reinterpreting the line of the side:
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    Here the idea is simplified and compared with the single large side port (from the nautilauta project) in another rough sketch:
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    The lower drawing eventually became the experimental bouzouki (on display at the Portland International Airport through August 2013) and the upper drawing will be fleshed out into this instrument!

  2. #2
    Registered User Tom Cherubini's Avatar
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    Default Re: Experimental OM design build

    How do you select the best possible location for the sound hole? Is it really better than the traditional location in terms of sound?
    So chi sono.

  3. #3
    Registered User JHumphrey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Experimental OM design build

    Well, I don't know the answer to that! It's an experiment, so I selected the location based on where I figured the best sound would be (for a variety of reasons), and am building it to find out the answer.

    When it is built, I will be able to know how it relates to the 'traditional' location. I am not trying to say that the traditional location is somehow wrong, as it can't be- it's traditional! But there are a very large number of differing interpretations of what the traditional location/shape is (think round, oval, triangle, f holes, modified f-holes, etc.). Rather, I am a relentlessly creative fellow, and I am following an idea that I had, acoustically derived, to see if the result is worth consideration.

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  5. #4

    Default Re: Experimental OM design build

    Cool!

  6. #5
    Registered User JHumphrey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Experimental OM design build

    With the sides glued on you get a sense of the outcome
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    The cedar had some amazing colors in the grain- I was seeing blues, greens, purples, yellows; stunning really! This photo doesn't really do it justice:
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    with finish on it should really be striking

  7. #6
    I may be old but I'm ugly billhay4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Experimental OM design build

    I like and hope I get to see it at Marylhurst.
    Bill
    IM(NS)HO

  8. #7
    Registered User JHumphrey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Experimental OM design build

    Routed the top for binding and purfling- took some headscratching around the soundhole area.
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    The glued the binding on the top
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    Now to fit the neck!

  9. #8
    Resonate globally Pete Jenner's Avatar
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    Default Re: Experimental OM design build

    I like - I like a lot.
    The more I learn, the less I know.

    Peter Jenner
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  10. #9
    Registered User JHumphrey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Experimental OM design build

    Thank you Peter!

    The neck is joined, and I'm ready to glue the back:
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    I also found a real nice two tone headplate cover, given to me by an incredible mentor:
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  12. #10
    Registered User JHumphrey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Experimental OM design build

    Fingerboard is complete, and glue is drying.
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    Now all that's left is final carving of the neck!

  13. #11
    I may be old but I'm ugly billhay4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Experimental OM design build

    And Marylhurst is coming.
    Nice.
    Bill
    IM(NS)HO

  14. #12
    Registered User JHumphrey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Experimental OM design build

    Thanks Bill- will you be there? Looking forward to it!

    Final sanding today- here is how the heel and neck turned out
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  15. #13
    Registered User JHumphrey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Experimental OM design build

    Frets today, bridge and tailpiece tomorrow
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  16. #14
    Certified! Bernie Daniel's Avatar
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    Default Re: Experimental OM design build

    Looking awesome!
    Bernie
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    Due to current budgetary restrictions the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off -- sorry about the inconvenience.

  17. #15
    but that's just me Bertram Henze's Avatar
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    Default Re: Experimental OM design build

    That top looks too good to be spoiled with tailpiece, bridge and strings. It looks like an instrument that has two backs and would make an excellent conversation piece if it were possible to hide bridge and strings on the inside somehow. Hmmmm....
    the world is better off without bad ideas, good ideas are better off without the world

  18. #16

    Default Re: Experimental OM design build

    Digging the asymmetrical neck heel... nice.

  19. #17
    Certified! Bernie Daniel's Avatar
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    Default Re: Experimental OM design build

    Quote Originally Posted by Bertram Henze View Post
    That top looks too good to be spoiled with tailpiece, bridge and strings. It looks like an instrument that has two backs and would make an excellent conversation piece if it were possible to hide bridge and strings on the inside somehow. Hmmmm....
    Yes I like that! You could have two holes in the bottom so you could insert both hands for playing!
    Bernie
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  20. #18
    but that's just me Bertram Henze's Avatar
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    Default Re: Experimental OM design build

    Quote Originally Posted by Bernie Daniel View Post
    two holes in the bottom
    Nah, that would also spoil the back/front symmetry. I guess you'd have to have some kind of remote control, like a spatial high-resolution theramine.
    the world is better off without bad ideas, good ideas are better off without the world

  21. #19
    Resonate globally Pete Jenner's Avatar
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    Default Re: Experimental OM design build

    Quote Originally Posted by Bernie Daniel View Post
    You could have two holes in the bottom so you could insert both hands
    Oh boy I could sooo get banned from the forums ...shut up Peter.
    The more I learn, the less I know.

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  22. #20
    Registered User JHumphrey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Experimental OM design build

    Thanks Bernie! Bertram- that would be pretty great- an instrument you have to insert your hands into in order to perform... it would have to be large enough to fit the audience inside of course!

    Peter- haha!!

  23. #21
    Registered User JHumphrey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Experimental OM design build

    Done!
    Sounds really great- I'll post sound clips next week.
    My color is off in these photos- still learning to use the camera
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    I finished just in time for Marylhurst, despite a bout with bronchitis!

  24. #22
    but that's just me Bertram Henze's Avatar
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    Default Re: Experimental OM design build

    That is very good looking. Strings parallel with the wood structure and no visible tailpiece - there is no better solution. The light bridge makes a very tasteful decoration.
    The best thing I haven't noticed before: a zero fret! Hurrah!
    the world is better off without bad ideas, good ideas are better off without the world

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  26. #23
    Registered User vwfye's Avatar
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    Default Re: Experimental OM design build

    Nice!
    2022 SRC Electric Octave Mandolin
    Crafter Acoustic/Electric Mandolin
    Surf City Octave Acoustic Mando
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    Epiphone 1924 Recording A Tenor Banjo
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  28. #24

    Default Re: Experimental OM design build

    Looks great! Very nice details and execution.
    What kind of finish did you apply? I prefer my instruments with just a few coats of oil varnish, before they start to feel plasticky. But most buyers basically require a leveled, glossy finish.

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  30. #25
    Middle-Aged Old-Timer Tobin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Experimental OM design build

    Very impressive work! I love the simplicity of it, as well as the artistic placement of grain color variations.

    I'd be interested to hear your analysis of how the sound hole placement effects the directionality of volume. Does it project the sound more towards the player's face and not so much to others in the room?

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