garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 454
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Dec 12, 2021 15:21:15 GMT
Here’s the next video! In this one, I look at shaping the neck of the mandolin and also, I have a chat about my favourite tools for doing this. Cheers Gary
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 454
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Dec 7, 2021 15:39:08 GMT
I love watching you work, Gary - thanks for the time and trouble you put into making these videos and sharing your skills. Keith Cheers Keith, your support, as always, is greatly appreciated. Take care, Gary
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 454
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Dec 6, 2021 16:17:31 GMT
So, here’s my latest video. In this one, I explain how I do the neck joint on my flat-top mandolins. Cheers Gary
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 454
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Nov 28, 2021 16:29:21 GMT
The body of the twin-point is now complete, with black and white purfling lines around the top and the whole instrument is fully bound in ebony. Here’s a video that gives you a flavour of how it’s done. Cheers Gary
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 454
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Nov 15, 2021 15:46:40 GMT
So, here’s the update! It cost me £130 which included shipping from China and I guess it took about a week to get here. All the components looked spot-on. Most of the parts are the sort of components that are sold for making CNC machines. No problems with assembly, although I did use some different fixings for the body cradle but that was my choice. Used it for the first time on an instrument yesterday and it was brilliant! Incredibly pleased and would recommend. Some photos below- the plywood parts aren't included. Cheers Gary
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 454
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Nov 4, 2021 16:25:54 GMT
About 15 years ago, a friend got me into the Bodlien Library to examine this guitar. A pretty little thing; it wasn't on display just kept in the basement somewhere. I think I offered to make a copy, although nothing came of it! Cheers Gary
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 454
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Nov 2, 2021 16:28:10 GMT
As you can see in the photos, Archtop #5 has now been completed and is ready for sale. I must admit that I'm super-pleased with it! In this video, I run through the mandolin’s specification and give a bit of a demo. My playing never does my mandolins justice! If you’re interested in owning this mandolin, you’ll find full details on my website. Cheers Gary
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 454
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Oct 30, 2021 15:58:24 GMT
Twin-Point Flat-top Mandolin: Part 4 Flat Back?? The word “flat” used in connection with the top or back of a mandolin (or guitar) is a bit misleading, as they are, in general, made with a slight arch; the arch being induced by the instrument’s internal structure. I imagine that back-in-the-day, they were referred to as flat, because they’re relatively flat compared to an arch top, but I guess saying “I’ve got a relatively flat top compared to an arch top mandolin,” is a bit too wordy! In this video I concentrate on how I make my “flat” backs.
Cheers Gary
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 454
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Oct 8, 2021 15:41:20 GMT
The tailpiece for the twin point has now been made. One thing that I like about making these is, that I can change the shape to pick-up on other elements in the mandolin’s design. You can see how the tailpiece carries on the pointy theme! In case you’ve not see it, and are interested, a while back I made video about making my tailpieces. Cheers Gary
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 454
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Oct 4, 2021 14:50:58 GMT
Funny thing, I just had a trade newsletter from JHS saying that the Rapier was being re-made; I had been watching an original Watkins Rapier 44 on ebay only last week- it went for £530 I think, a bit rich for me! When I was a lad I had a catalogue from Bell Music in Surbiton which I used to drool over- dreaming of Watkins guitars! I guess one of the reasons that I started building guitars, was simply that I couldn't afford such a thing! Cheers Gary
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 454
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Sept 26, 2021 15:59:24 GMT
I’ve just completed the head for new mandolin and on this one I’m using a new design. You can see bit more detail about this design on my blog, if you wish. But here’s what it looks like. Cheers Gary
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 454
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Sept 21, 2021 15:14:08 GMT
I’ve just completed the rim for the twin-point mandolin and below is the video of how I did it, as well as a few photos of the finished part. Making a video of the process, brought home to me, how much work is actually involved in its construction! As there are a lot of glue joints, all of which are left 24 hours before moving on to the next stage, the rim is assembled over a period of time, and as you work on it in short sessions, the total time spent isn’t really appreciated. Cheers Gary
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 454
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Sept 10, 2021 8:15:12 GMT
You did well with that binding! Cheers Gary
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 454
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Sept 2, 2021 15:08:33 GMT
Just in case you’ve been wondering what’s happened to Archtop #5, well I’m in the middle of the French polishing process and in the photo, you can really see how the shellac pops the grain. Lovely! Cheers Gary
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 454
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Aug 30, 2021 15:45:46 GMT
Many thanks Gary, really interesting. I wouldn't mind giving that a try. Can you buy the dots and diamonds or do you make them? Martin Hello Martin, Glad you found the video interesting. Dots are obviously easy to get hold off but small diamond inlays aren’t. I bought a load of MoP ones on eBay from someone in USA years ago. But also, I’ve made them from abalone and, in the pic below, reconstituted turquoise. They are makable but small ones (like I use) are very fiddley and can take an unrealistic amount of time. Cheers Gary
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