VW Hub Cap Mandolin idea.

[Luke]

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Hi Folks, thought I should show a couple of pics of my latest silly instrument.
I have been thinking about a VW hub cap Mandolin for a while so started to put things together its very early doors and still working it out as i go.
So far I am happy with my efforts.

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The neck joint is a hybrid sort of bolt on pocket and a tenon down the centre
like a T section.
Shall glue it up with epoxy may be.
Any ideas or heckling feel free. Still thinking about the sound board have some cedar that a friend gave me not decided as yet





Neck is Tassie oak/Vic Ash from local hardware store with a red gum down the middle it was an experiment that looks ok.
Its all some fun.

[Nick]

Love your "wackiness" Luke and love of all things unconventional. Was watching the UK version of Top Gear at the weekend and their "Star in a reasonably priced car" was a guy called Seasick Steve (forgive me if you've already heard of him!) who has made quite a name for himself playing Delta blues with 3 and 1 string geetars (one stringer he's christened "Diddley Bo") . On the show he produced a 4 string version using two Morris Minor Hubcaps back to back as the 'resonator' although it had a very low volume it also had a pickup in it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4E7J6q6 ... re=related You Tube link for the Hub Cap geetar being played.
& http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dXE6zSRsJc Shows the whole clip that went to air and at 4 mins he explains it a little.
Be interesting to hear the tone you get from this little beauty.

[Luke]

Thanks Nick,
Glad folks like what I am into, it perhaps a change from what we usually see posted. I know every one seems to have a good sense of humour and fun.
I am into the same sort of gear as Sea Sick Steve.
Haven't tried two hub caps together yet but have certainly thought about.
I have made a biscut tin 4 string job with a sardine can resonator it sounded different.
Seems I can't get around to making a fair dinkum proper wood acoustic guitar as yet the odd ball ideas take over.
I recently finished three 3 stringed Tea Tin instruments for slide playing shall
post up later.

[Allen]

We've got enough of the serious stuff Luke. That's a real beauty, and I really enjoy when you post your stuff. Keep it up mate. Your an inspiration.

[Nick]

Allen wrote:

I really enjoy when you post your stuff. Keep it up mate. Your an inspiration.

Seconded.

[Kim]

Me 3, thanks for posting Luke.

[Joe Sustaire]

love this mando Luke!
Great going,
Joe

[DarwinStrings]

Cool as a cucumber Luke, I don't think I could resist doing a little VW Beetle inlay on that headstock or maybe a Combi van.

Jim

[Luke]

Thanks Jim.
Have yet to try or develop any inlay skills, excellent idea though.
Have seen a banjo VW hub cap project with the head stock shaped like a Combi Van, tuners where the wheels are etc.
I perhaps could go the hippie flower power look.
I have a few artist friends that are good with a paint brush thinking sound board, what about instead of F holes as I intended go with a flower shapes:lol:
Keep the ideas coming.

[Luke]

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Hi all, here is a pic of the build so far its a cedar top forgot to take a pic of my bracing but is typical of F sound hole mandolins i have spied on the net.
the sound hole design was done by my partner and it was a job to cut out.
managed to snap a bit off but glued it up and have carried on as it is an experiment
The neck is not glued in as yet and the hardware is there as a rough guide on how she may look.


The top is glued to the metal hub cap with a product called Tool Box its a filler/glue stuff that works great on metal.used it a lot on my steel body reso that I posted some time ago.
Might string her up before I decide on final finish etc to see how she sounds.

Shall have to stop work soon as we are planing to move house so have to pack up the shed. I have box's of hub caps, tins, cigar box's etc my be it's time for a good clean out of my junk/objects that I have collected thinking how will this thing sound with a set of strings

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VW with ceder top 1.jpg (165.04 KiB) Viewed 13065 times

[Luke]

Thanks for finding the thread guys.
Here is the finished mandolin,Sounds great. Had a few mandolin players have ago at the Uranquinty folk festival all loved it for various reasons.
Dave O,Neil thought it was cool a great sounding Celtic mandolin were his words
Had my mate give it a run last Sunday on the Reid Street Stage at the Wang Jazz and Blues festival
worked well for some old time string band blues too.

VW Mandolin finished A.jpg (131.96 KiB) Viewed 13063 times

VW Mandolin back C.jpg (87.55 KiB) Viewed 13063 times

VW Mandolin finished B.jpg (114.09 KiB) Viewed 13063 times