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I really wanted to do an arch top but i thought it might not be a bad Idea to start small. A really fun project but not without it's challenges. I had a hard time wrapping my head around the whole neck area. If only I had one to look at. Chicken before egg. Sitka and Maple from The Hood. It seems to have a very full, warm tone. I played a old Gibson "A" years ago and have always wanted one. One more off the list. And I still remember all three chords!








Thanks for not looking too close.

Danny

Wow, Danny, that's a real beauty. The contrast with that black top is nice!! Great job.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

That sure looks sweet Danny.
Hesh is going to love that!

Steve

Great looking mandolin

Dang, that's cool! What do you mean, not looking too close?
Looks great down here in Texas.

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Wow, looks good up here in NC too! Nice job!

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

That is good looking!

Mike

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Mike Lindstrom

Good for you. Takes cool to paint a top. And you pulled it off. Real eyeball food you did. make there.

Very nice indeed.


Padma

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Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


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Awesome Danny.

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
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The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

BLACK!!!!!! She's beautiful Danny bro and I might have just the thing to accompany your black mando in the band....

Great job my friend!!!

Danny,

That is one beautiful little punkin' seed! Awesome.

Max

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Max Bishop
Brighton, Michigan

Dam fine Danny! You did a great job of capturing that old Gibson A look, I love the oval hole rather than the f holes, and I love black tops, goes great with that perfect maple.

Joe

Very nice, Danny. I just happen to have a real deal black Gibson in my shop reportedly from the early 20's. I'm using this as a guide in helping me to visualize some of the nuances as I continue to build my first mandolin. Check out the pics...I think you nailed the vibe!







I'd be interested in knowing more about other OLFers who have built or are interested in building Mandolins. If we could get enough interest, and Haans and or Mario would chime in here perhaps we might one day even justify a separate mandolin section.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Looks great Danny! I agree...really captures the old world look. The maple figure really pops. How did you finish it?
I did a blacktop on maple archtop a while back if you're interested.
viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=15583

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Dave
Milton, ON

Chime!

JJ that is a great idea. If there is some interest I will ask Roger Siminoff if he would be interested in lending the section some support. He could also use the area to talk about his books and pre made supplies if Lance and Brock are down with that. That might be a good vehicle to make for an interesting and successful sub-forum. No guarantees as I know that Roger is quite busy but he has also be a great customer of mine almost since I started this stuff.

Shane

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Canada

Nice!.....Hesh was the first to come to mind.
Kent

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EXCELLENCE IN SCULPTURE, CARVING, LUTHIER, ARCHITECTURAL MILLWORK AND DESIGN

http://www.kabart.com

Danny-
Beautiful!
I'm not a 'mandolin guy' at all, but that is really an attractive instrument - perfect blend of restraint and 'wow factor' !

Cheers
John

Shane...getting Roger on board would be a major contribution. I bought his book on "Bluegrass Mandolin Construction" and it is extremely helpful. Thanks for the suggestion, but I won't hold you to selling him.

I'm going to start a thread to seek out how many might be interested...as well as an invitation to show their stuff. Shoot...we have an Electric Section...why not a mandolin section as well?

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Or, why not an "archtop instruments" section

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Dave
Milton, ON

Why not an experimental , weird, different and otherwise enabled section?

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Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


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Gee.... thanks. You guys sure know how to make a guy feel good.

Hey, a pumpkin seed. Thanks Max. That fits.

JJ. that's the one! Or one that looked like that........I think. It was about 25 years ago. I do have a good memory but it is shorter these days. I think it was Mahogany. It's funny because other than that it was black, I remember more about the tone. Really warm and woody. Very cool pics indeed.

Dave. How did I finish it? Well first you go down to the store and get yourself a can of black paint... A wash coat of Amber dye in alcohol and a bit of this Burnt Umber pigment mixed with the first coat. It's from Becker Acroma. IMHO it really warms things up. Like all your work, the black one is deadly. Is it a bolt on? I really like the way they hang in the air and you can't even see the strings! Great photo work.

One from Haans. (insert I'm not worthy icon here) I used your toot on rosettes from the Cafe. The little foot thingy I made was good but I put it on a laminate trimmer. It was too cumbersome to handle. The outer cut turned out well. You'd have to be real sloppy to mess that one up. I think next time I'll cut it by hand. I did quickly discovered another reason to paint thinks black. I was going to do it anyway, honest.

A mando section would no doubt be great. I was hanging at the Mandolin Cafe a bit while I was making this and there are guys doing stuff there with big coolness factor. I'm pretty sure if we saw more of it here there would be a lot more people here inspired to pick up carving tools. It is a very rewarding experience and I certainly have plans to do more stuff that's not flat.

Thanks Again!
Enjoy The Day

Hey Danny. It's great to see her all strung up & playable.
Looks as good in the pics as it does up close!
We'll have to play a few tunes next time I drop in.

Yeah, what he said.