Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

A big thank you to all of those working to support the continuation of the forum.

Congratulations - looks like a splendid, well-considered initiative

Thanks - very interesting!

Here's a more affordable source for the Kinkead book https://bargainbooks.com.au/products/9780634054631?variant=45502310285586&country=AU¤cy=AUD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2021-07-06&utm_source=google&utm_medium=sm...

Thanks Mark. I'm pretty happy with the Osmo - there is a bit more technique to the application than I first thought, but after a couple of builds I'm starting to get the result I wanted. The soundboards are a bit less forgiving than the hardwoods, and I find getting an even result more challenging. ...

I have just completed a flat top mandolin in Engelmann Spruce and Otway Blackwood. It has a mahogany neck and Macassar ebony fingerboard, with a mortise and tenon attachment joint. Coolabah burl headstock veneer and ebony binding. I used a wipe on Osmo Poly X Gloss finish. I have had a crack at impl...

Looks great Bob, well done. Built from Plans? I drew up some plans in "Gthang" (https://www.liutaiomottola.com/formulae/gthang.htm). I based the overall dimensions on a survey of makers who publish their specs online, and also drew on the material in Graham McDonald's excellent Ukulele book (http:/...

A new concert ukulele. Fan-braced Engelmann Spruce with European Maple back and sides. Blackwood neck and ziricote finger board, ebony bridge and tortoise-shell binding. Hannahbach strings and a hardened shellac finish. Two routing accidents destroyed one neck and nearly a second - I understand bett...

Let us know how you go.

What are you using for pore fill? I've finished with PolyX a few times, and have not pore filled because I was unsure about how best to pore fill under an oil based finish. Even without pore filling, I've been pretty happy with the PolyX.

Had to flash up the dehumidifier for the first time in a while, but otherwise keeping well!

Two mandolins in the finishing stage. One is Tassie Blackwood and Engelmann spruce with a Macassar ebony fingerboard, the other is Camphor Laurel, Engelmann spruce with a ziricote fingerboard. River oak binding and headstocks. I’ve been applying hardened shellac for a few days and just about ready f...

Nice, and interesting. Will be keen to see the neck joint progress. Would it be fine on a steel string as well?

Thanks - nice work!

Taffy Evans wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 08, 2023 5:25 pm

Hi Bob, I was always a bit concerned about disclosing this method many years ago as it was not the done thing, but then I saw Taylor Guitars was doing it so I felt better then.

I'll have to show my dedicated drilling machine for doing the neck holes.
Cheers Taff

I'd be interested in seeing them!

Thanks Taff. R.M. Mottola, who is technology editor and a contributing editor for American Lutherie, advocates this method in his book Building the Steel String Acoustic Guitar. I used it on my most recent guitar build, and while I found it a challenge to get the inserts dead square, I was pretty ha...

A very nice bit of kit. Interested colours in the New Guinee Rosewood. Can I ask what the neck attachement is, and what finish you have used?

Nice work - some lovely figure on the timber! What finish are you using?

Hard shellac finish, neck on, tuners fitted. Will let it rest for a day or two before fitting the bridge and saddle. I find this part of the prcoess very difficult, as I simply want finish as quickly as possible so I can play the instrument and hear its music! IMG_3950.jpeg IMG_3948.jpeg IMG_3947.jp...

I use bridges made by Vern Brekke. Mandolin, mandola and Octave mandolin, carved top or flat top. They are adjustable but don't use thumb wheels and are adjustable via two allen screws that move two wedges in or out. Very neat design, and Vern can make them to your specifications in terms of bridge...

They both look lovely Bob. What are your thoughts about the two different bridge styles that you have used on them? One adjustable with thumb wheels. The other fixed height and looks lighter. I am quite a novice in mandolin style instruments and don't know the pros and cons of each type. Thanks Mar...

lamanoditrento wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 02, 2023 4:15 pm

Even tho the pic of the back is a still image, I can almost see the shimmer of that river oak and the the finish. Well done

Thanks Trent. I think this one is a keeper - it's possibly the best I've made technically and musically, and it looks lovely, Bit scared to play it though!

Binding on - went with the lighter colouring of the maple. Quite pleased with how it is progressing! I am a big fan of the zero fret - I just can't think of any really good reason not to use one, and I have used on guitars, mandolins and ukuleles. I have been very happy with their playability and th...

I have closed it up, and trimmed the overhang. I have finished most of the shaping work on the neck, attached a fretted fingerboard, and bolted it up to check fit. Happy with how it is coming together, so time to settle on binding and rout some binding channels.

Ahh, I can see that you don’t really need any advice from the rest of us to pull off a great result. Pore filling and then shellac? Will look great, but lots of work. I thought you had become a convert to hard wax oil finishes (and I see that bottle of TruOil on your shelf)? BTW, it looks like you ...

Great looking, and sounding, instrument.