Serving up number 3 for your perusal

[Clancy]

Following the completion of my first instrument, a carved 17" archtop, I was asked by a friend to make her a carved mandolin to replace her cheap chinese one.

We struck a deal where she would pay for materials and I would do the build for free, thereby gaining more experience without too much overhead costs (of course I had to make new molds and get a couple of new tools).

I don't know much about mandolins so I used Graham's new mandolin book as my guide and consulted him occassionally (thanks graham, I'll be phoning you tonight to see if your free for me to bring the mandolin around)

I've taken the mandolin to the local music shop for a real try out and was told it sounds lovely and plays very nicely (but will rely on Graham's opinion as my benchmark).

Enough gabbing - here's the pics

oh yeah
top - King Billy (from Gilet)
back, sides, neck - Qld Maple (from a local timber yard - right place, right time)
fretboard - ebony
binding & headstock - figured maple
Headstock inlay - from jim (cheers mate, first inlay attempt went well, nothing flash on my part but looks good)








Also,
Wanted to use a gold tailpiece but couldn't afford it.
This is a 2nd that was cheaper again on the Allen website's 'Deal of the Day'.

Cheers
Craig

[Taffy Evans]

Very, very nice Craig. Your first time efforts are very impressive with good detail and clean workmanship, I like this one.

[Clancy]

Thanks Taff.
I appreciate the complements, but have to admit that I could spend another month tidying up the 'detailing'. I wont have the chance since the owner is coming down from sydney this weekend to collect it, so it is what it is.

These pics were taken by at work and I didn't get any close ups. I'll try to add them tonight at home (only the best angles of course!).

I should add that number 2 (flat top irish bouzouki) is almost completed but had to be put aside while I built number 3. Should have pics of that in month or so.

Then I have to decide what the next project will be? It always seems to be a surprise what I choose or am asked to do!

[ozziebluesman]

Very nice indeed Craig. Thanks for the pics. King Billy pine seems to be popping up in a few builds lately. I have to agree your first inlay job looks great and adds class to the instrument.

Yeah you don't know what is going to be the next build. I have a guy who wants me to build him a twin neck lap steel. This is going to be an interesting project. I have two concert size guitars on the go and a Ukulele so I think that will be enough woodworking projects for this year.

Thanks for sharing you build. Looks absolutely all class.

Cheers

Alan

[DarwinStrings]

Looks like you've made a mistake Craig, do you realise what will happen when Martin sees this. Once again your work is very nice and the headstock inlay is just the sort of thing I like to see.

Jim

[Ron Wisdom]

Really nice!! That inlay is really clean in that light colored headstock. Great job.

Ron

[Stephen Kinnaird]

Craig, you've got a really nice sense of design.
I like everything about this.
Now, tell us your experience w/ the Q'd walnut--does it smell sweet and spicy to you? And how was it to carve?

Steve

[Clancy]

Thanks everyone.
Got home early so here's some pics from other angles.

Steve, believe everything you hear about Queensland Maple.
It's a joy to carve, sand and scrape.

[Allen]

Craig, you're setting the bar pretty darn high for just your 3rd build. And it's a really great looking instrument. Perfect opportunity to try something new, when you've got people willing to pay for materials. Wish I had a few of them on my first few instruments.

Looking forward to seeing #2.

[Localele]

Beautiful Mandolin Craig.The maple looks great as always.It is literally one of the best cabinet timbers in the world and as you say it carves and planes to a lovely finish,If needed it will also take stain very well.Ages to a better look as well.Cheers.

[Mark McLean]

That is a beautiful instrument Craig. It is hard to believe that it is your first mandolin.
What is the secret to routing a rosette channel and cutting a soundhole that are oval, not round?
cheers
Mark

[Clancy]

Mark, I pretty much did the sound hole as per Grahams instructions in his book.
Cut out an oval template and trace onto the soundboard.
Drill holes at least a couple of mil inside the drawn line.
Rough cut out the inside.
Sand to line with sand paper wrapped around a piece of inch thick dowel.
Then I cut the rosette channel with a purfling cutter, doing inside & outside cuts at once by using both blades (sharpened again before use - the cuts across the grain can be tricky!)
Then I got one of my old electrician's Terminal Screwdiver's and ground the end sharp. This made a reasonable chisel to remove the wood between the cuts (I only used hand pressure).

By the way, I made some basic recordings of the mandolin today using the Edirol. does anyone know how to post them?

[Kim]

Craig,

For some reason ? I missed this post earlier. My loss M8, what a great effort, the workmanship looks first class and with Graham as a guide I am certain she sounds every bit as good as she looks.

Well Done!

Kim

[Hesh1956]

Very nice Mando Craig my friend - you should be very, very proud!!!

[Bob Connor]

Lovely work Craig. Looks like a nice piece of King Billy too. It's certainly getting harder to find.

The binding scheme sets the instrument off very nicely.

It really is an elegant instrument.