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Post by ntredwell on Aug 30, 2013 8:18:21 GMT
My second acoustic build is going to be a mandolin based on the flat top based on plans by Graham McDonald from the Mandolin Project book.
This needs to be completed before Christmas as its going to be a present but with the current level of progress, that should not be a problem. Spec Back and sided - English Walnut Soundboard - European Spruce Fretboard - Laburnum (This may change to Bog Oak not 100% made my mind up yet) Bridge - Laburnum Neck - Sycamore Binding, not quite sure yet, but probably sycamore. I am already a reasonable way along with this build, and I am just about to close up the body so I will just add a few pictures to get up to date.  Soundboard with rosette inlaid, its walnut with blue, black purflings  Soundboard bracing glued up in the go bar deck  X back bracing glued up.  Shaving the back bracing with a shop made mini plane and chisels.  Top and back braces carved  Outside view of top and back plates.  Sorry no pics of bending the sides, I was concentrating to much, so here we jump ahead to glueing on the linings.  Radiusing the top and back  Gluing the top onto the rim  Top Glued up   Soundboard overhang trimmed.  Back being glued up. Next up is to get started on the neck, I have glued the blank up from locally grown sycamore with a walnut centre stripe. More pics to come.
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Aug 30, 2013 8:23:08 GMT
Wow! This is great Nick! Fabulous photographs and what looks like really nice workmanship! I'm looking forward to following this build as it goes, please keep the pics coming  |
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Post by ocarolan on Aug 30, 2013 8:27:39 GMT
Thanks for starting this thread Nick. Pics look great - looking forward to more - there is a fair bit of mandolin love on the Forum!  Keith |
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leoroberts
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My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Aug 30, 2013 10:07:52 GMT
I'm glad you got to the 'trimming the sounboard overhang' bit, Nick ... I was beginning to think you were going for a particularly avant-garde asymmetric look  |
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Post by rodders on Aug 30, 2013 12:45:24 GMT
Looking good. Can't wait to see how this build progresses |
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Post by ntredwell on Aug 30, 2013 13:15:21 GMT
I'm glad you got to the 'trimming the sounboard overhang' bit, Nick ... I was beginning to think you were going for a particularly avant-garde asymmetric look Well, now you come to mention it maybe a new shape is in order... Thanks for all the kind words, Ill hopefully be able to find some time next week to get cracking with the neck though need to order machine heads, tail piece etc first. |
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Post by ntredwell on Sept 13, 2013 11:56:43 GMT
Thought it was about time for another update, progress has been steady over the last few weeks, and I now have the body complete except for the bindings and the neck well on the way. Here are a few pictures showing progress  Body complete    Neck blank attached to the body via a bolt on but joint.   Still deciding upon the binding, though I have narrowed it down to either sycamore or mahogany.   Hopefully I will get the fretboard slotted this weekend, and I need to get on and order machine heads and a tail piece before going to much further. Thanks for looking |
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davewhite
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Post by davewhite on Sept 13, 2013 13:49:07 GMT
Nick,
Looking good so far. You could also use English Walnut bindings and some different wood side purflings (maybe Sycamore).
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Post by ntredwell on Sept 16, 2013 7:13:25 GMT
Dave thanks for the idea, I'll definitely give it some thought.
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Post by ntredwell on Sept 16, 2013 7:30:52 GMT
Another couple of pictures the fretboard is now slotted, attached and the initial neck carve has been done. Fingers crossed all of the hardware should turn up in the next few days too. I also started on a new binding rig (pictures to follow) after cutting the binding and purfling channels by hand on my last build, I decided that it was definately time to get set up so I can do it with a laminate trimmer instead.   |
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Oct 6, 2013 8:47:39 GMT
It's really starting to take shape there, Nick. How's progress going now? It certainly seems to have moved along quickly so far  |
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Post by ntredwell on Oct 7, 2013 10:57:46 GMT
Martin
Things are progressing really well, I should be able to get on to the pore filling / finishing as soon as I manage to find enough time to get all the sanding done. I will try to get a few pictures up ASAP.
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Post by ntredwell on Oct 8, 2013 8:47:35 GMT
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Post by Martin on Oct 8, 2013 9:36:26 GMT
Wow! She looks really lovely, Nick!  Very nice work, and I'm also looking forward to stringing-up time |
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davewhite
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Post by davewhite on Oct 8, 2013 10:42:50 GMT
Looks sweet.  |
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Jo whoever he is.
