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 11464 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.

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VW Mandolin back C.jpg (87.55 KiB) Viewed 11462 times

VW Mandolin finished B.jpg (114.09 KiB) Viewed 11462 times