garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 460 
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Sept 9, 2018 16:00:10 GMT
 The last of the fettling has been done and the mandolin is playing very nicely. Tomorrow, it gets taken apart and the polishing process begins! In the meantime here are a couple of photos. Cheers Gary   |
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 460
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Sept 16, 2018 16:43:21 GMT
Having taken apart the archtop mandolin, I’ve changed my mind regarding its type of finish. Instead of French polishing it, I’ve decided to go with one of my open-pore satin shellac finishes. The archtop has a modern look to it and I think a satin finish will look better in a kind of lagom way. I’ve always said that the most expensive component of a handmade instrument is time and as I will save a fair chunk of time by not French polishing, I’ll be able to pass the saving on to its purchaser. So, whilst the finishing is going on, I’m also trying to complete this baritone uke.  I started it 6 years ago as a speculative build and posted this video at the time. The problem that I have with ukes is that it takes me nearly as long to build one as it does a guitar, but of course you can’t charge the same, so they’re just not economically viable. However, I can’t just leave it on the shelf, so time to get it finished! Cheers Gary |
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Sept 16, 2018 16:53:47 GMT
Haha - I vaguely remember that one Gary! Uketastic!
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 Sept 17, 2018 8:09:47 GMT
'bout time we had another Uke build thread  |
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 460
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Oct 19, 2018 13:56:00 GMT
I’ve just completed the walnut archtop mandolin and am so pleased with the outcome. I’ve got an old Gibson T-shirt that says “Tone, Feel, Appearance” and I’m pleased to say that I think I’ve fully fulfilled those criteria. It is also the first time that I’ve used JJB soundboard transducers and they seem to produce an impressive tone even through my cheap and cheerful amp. So below are number of photos for you and the full spec. I’ll sort out the obligatory video over the next couple of days!       13 7/8” (352mm) Scale length with 30mm nut width American Black Walnut back & sides European Spruce top Body fully bound in Ebony Bird’s Eye Maple neck with carbon fibre stiffeners Compound radius Ebony fretboard with wide gold EVO frets Nava handmade tailpiece Nickel Gotoh MA-40 tuners JJB Soundboard Transducers with endpin jack A light open-pore shellac satin finish D’Addario EJ74 strings (011, 015, 026, 040), bone nut & saddle Cheers Gary |
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andrewjw
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Post by andrewjw on Oct 19, 2018 17:14:04 GMT
A stunning result Gary!   |
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 460
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Oct 20, 2018 14:02:32 GMT
A stunning result Gary! Thanks Andrew- just checked my "list", can't believe that it's 10 years since I built the mandocello for you! Cheers Gary |
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 460
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Oct 21, 2018 7:27:52 GMT
As promised, here's the video.........
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Post by linn on Oct 21, 2018 9:06:29 GMT
Sweet build, thanks Gary.
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Oct 22, 2018 15:26:35 GMT
Looks and sounds delightful. The tone and sustain of the wound strings when played higher up is particularly excellent.
The finger rest sets the whole thing off beautifully and a especially love the little dark bits at the heel either side of the neck where the binding ends - very elegant indeed!
Thanks for the vids Gary - very much enjoyed them!
Keith
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Post by dangad on Oct 24, 2018 10:29:53 GMT
Hugely enjoyed these videos, incredible amount of hard work. Will be coming back for more workshop updates!!
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andrewjw
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Post by andrewjw on Nov 2, 2018 18:04:17 GMT
We're delighted to let everyone know that "The Next One " has found a new home!  We met up with Gary garynava and his wife Amanda at their home near Wisbech yesterday and brought the mandolin back to Plymouth today. The mandolin is even more exquisite" in the flesh "  than on the many excellent photos Gary has taken of the build on this thread. It sounds fabulous and feels very natural to play. We'll post something featuring it at the "Duck" before long. We already own a mandocello that Gary made for us 10 years ago...we took it with us to let him see how it has matured over the years. I think he was pretty happy with it. I've taken a few quick pics of both instruments together back home...I think you can see the inherent similarities... Huge thanks Gary! Andrew and Jane    |
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andrewjw
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Post by andrewjw on Nov 2, 2018 20:59:07 GMT
We've just been trying out the amplified sound of the mando through our system...always a bit worrying trying out an untested system for the first time. Without changing any of the settings for the Cole mando [with Fishman power bridge ] the built in JJB system on Gary's mando immediately sounded sweeter , louder and more dynamic...very natural. Particularly noticeable was the change in tone between picking/strumming near the bridge and further up the neck...the JJB picked that up very well indeed... www.jjb-electronics.com/prestige-220.html Very impressive!  |
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 460
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Nov 5, 2018 16:18:12 GMT
Thanks to everyone for such a positive response to this build thread; all the comments are greatly appreciated. Amanda and I were delighted that the mandolin went to Jane and Andrew. We’ve always said that the greatest compliment is when someone comes back for a second instrument, so many thanks to Jane & Andrew.
I’ve got two solid bodies to build, so the next acoustic build thread should be in a couple of months’ time.
Cheers Gary
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than on the many excellent photos Gary has taken of the build on this thread. It sounds fabulous and feels very natural to play. We'll post something featuring it at the "Duck" before long. 
Jo whoever he is.
