Octave Mandolin Construction
- ISU Trout Bum
- Posts: 169
- Joined: Fri Apr 29, 2005 9:01 pm
- antispam: No
- Location: The Dark Side of the Moon (Central Iowa)
Octave Mandolin Construction
Hi All:
Besides 'trying' (optimal word . . . 'try') to play, I also like to mess around with woodworking. A few years ago I built a zouk kit that came out ok. But since then I've really started reading a lot of material on luthery, and have watched a fair number of videos, as I want to give building quality instruments a shot. I'm only a hobby builder, and just build for myself (so I'm empahtically not trying to sell anything, at all). But for those of you who like building too, I thought I would post this: http://northwaystringedinstruments.blogspot.com/
It is a blog that I've set-up in the hopes of helping other hobby builders. It documents the building of a very nice kit I purchased from luthier Don Kawalek. Here are a couple pics:
Thanks for looking!
Best,
Trout
Besides 'trying' (optimal word . . . 'try') to play, I also like to mess around with woodworking. A few years ago I built a zouk kit that came out ok. But since then I've really started reading a lot of material on luthery, and have watched a fair number of videos, as I want to give building quality instruments a shot. I'm only a hobby builder, and just build for myself (so I'm empahtically not trying to sell anything, at all). But for those of you who like building too, I thought I would post this: http://northwaystringedinstruments.blogspot.com/
It is a blog that I've set-up in the hopes of helping other hobby builders. It documents the building of a very nice kit I purchased from luthier Don Kawalek. Here are a couple pics:
Thanks for looking!
Best,
Trout
http://northwaystringedinstruments.blogspot.com/
"Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus" - Terence, Eunuchus, IV.v
"Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus" - Terence, Eunuchus, IV.v
- s1m0n
- Posts: 10069
- Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2004 12:17 am
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 10
- Location: The Inside Passage
Re: Octave Mandolin Construction
I've been considering one of those.
And now there was no doubt that the trees were really moving - moving in and out through one another as if in a complicated country dance. ('And I suppose,' thought Lucy, 'when trees dance, it must be a very, very country dance indeed.')
C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis
- ISU Trout Bum
- Posts: 169
- Joined: Fri Apr 29, 2005 9:01 pm
- antispam: No
- Location: The Dark Side of the Moon (Central Iowa)
Re: Octave Mandolin Construction
s1m0n - Don has a really nice kit. Well worth the money. Good luck if you choose to build!
Best,
Trout
Best,
Trout
http://northwaystringedinstruments.blogspot.com/
"Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus" - Terence, Eunuchus, IV.v
"Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus" - Terence, Eunuchus, IV.v
Re: Octave Mandolin Construction
Thanks, Trout. I adore watching instrument builds.
Re: Octave Mandolin Construction
I have no wood-working skills, but had a friend of mine build me a Kawalek kit. These can certainly make great instruments!
I got mine last Wednesday. Here's a link to the thread for mine at Mandolin Cafe, updated last night with pictures:
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showt ... -progress)!
I hope to get a sound clip posted in the next few hours.
Updated with sound clip:
http://www.box.net/shared/1x4nxxker
I got mine last Wednesday. Here's a link to the thread for mine at Mandolin Cafe, updated last night with pictures:
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showt ... -progress)!
I hope to get a sound clip posted in the next few hours.
Updated with sound clip:
http://www.box.net/shared/1x4nxxker
- ISU Trout Bum
- Posts: 169
- Joined: Fri Apr 29, 2005 9:01 pm
- antispam: No
- Location: The Dark Side of the Moon (Central Iowa)
Re: Octave Mandolin Construction
Thanks fearfaoin. I appreciate it!
Thomaston - Very cool! Sounds great too! I will ditto this over on the MandoCafe board. Thanks for the post.
Thomaston - Very cool! Sounds great too! I will ditto this over on the MandoCafe board. Thanks for the post.
http://northwaystringedinstruments.blogspot.com/
"Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus" - Terence, Eunuchus, IV.v
"Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus" - Terence, Eunuchus, IV.v
- buddhu
- Posts: 4092
- Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2003 3:14 pm
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 1
- Location: In a ditch, just down the road from the pub
- Contact:
Re: Octave Mandolin Construction
Interesting, Trout!
I'm currently getting the bits together for a series of builds: flat top (more accurately shallow induced arch) mandolin, mandola and octave mandolin. Also a concert 'ukulele (maybe archtop).
I'll be doing mine from scratch rather than from a kit, but I have certainly eyed Don's kits hungrily in the past.
I have the books and plans and the enthusiasm. Now I just need the woodworking experience and skill, the tools and materials and a heap of luck.
Gonna be watching the blog with great interest. Cheers!
@Thomaston... Wow, unique OM! Looks like your fella really is InlayMan. That's some neat looking work.
I'm currently getting the bits together for a series of builds: flat top (more accurately shallow induced arch) mandolin, mandola and octave mandolin. Also a concert 'ukulele (maybe archtop).
I'll be doing mine from scratch rather than from a kit, but I have certainly eyed Don's kits hungrily in the past.
I have the books and plans and the enthusiasm. Now I just need the woodworking experience and skill, the tools and materials and a heap of luck.
Gonna be watching the blog with great interest. Cheers!
@Thomaston... Wow, unique OM! Looks like your fella really is InlayMan. That's some neat looking work.
And whether the blood be highland, lowland or no.
And whether the skin be black or white as the snow.
Of kith and of kin we are one, be it right, be it wrong.
As long as our hearts beat true to the lilt of a song.
And whether the skin be black or white as the snow.
Of kith and of kin we are one, be it right, be it wrong.
As long as our hearts beat true to the lilt of a song.
- ISU Trout Bum
- Posts: 169
- Joined: Fri Apr 29, 2005 9:01 pm
- antispam: No
- Location: The Dark Side of the Moon (Central Iowa)
Re: Octave Mandolin Construction
buddhu - sounds like you are ready to go! Grab a tool or two and jump in!!
Thanks for the nice comments.
Best,
Trout
Thanks for the nice comments.
Best,
Trout
http://northwaystringedinstruments.blogspot.com/
"Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus" - Terence, Eunuchus, IV.v
"Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus" - Terence, Eunuchus, IV.v
Re: Octave Mandolin Construction
Trout,
I just looked at your progress. Looking good! I really like the peghead shape.
I just looked at your progress. Looking good! I really like the peghead shape.
- buddhu
- Posts: 4092
- Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2003 3:14 pm
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 1
- Location: In a ditch, just down the road from the pub
- Contact:
Re: Octave Mandolin Construction
Heck yes! Looking very good.
That blog is great. Please keep it up. Thanks for the thoroughness of yr posts and pics.
Sadly, financial stuff is delaying my own builds. My car just had extensive work done.
That blog is great. Please keep it up. Thanks for the thoroughness of yr posts and pics.
Sadly, financial stuff is delaying my own builds. My car just had extensive work done.
And whether the blood be highland, lowland or no.
And whether the skin be black or white as the snow.
Of kith and of kin we are one, be it right, be it wrong.
As long as our hearts beat true to the lilt of a song.
And whether the skin be black or white as the snow.
Of kith and of kin we are one, be it right, be it wrong.
As long as our hearts beat true to the lilt of a song.
Re: Octave Mandolin Construction
Man, I sure love this stuff. Thanks for the link
to Lynn Dudenbostel's blog... That guy is terrific.
to Lynn Dudenbostel's blog... That guy is terrific.
- ISU Trout Bum
- Posts: 169
- Joined: Fri Apr 29, 2005 9:01 pm
- antispam: No
- Location: The Dark Side of the Moon (Central Iowa)
Re: Octave Mandolin Construction
Thanks Thomaston. I appreciate it.
I'm glad you like the blog buddhu. I'm trying to keep it updated as often as possible. I'm actually about to mount the tuning machines, tail piece, and sand the bridge. Then it will be time to string 'er up in the white . . . finally. Hopefully I will be plinking away by the middle of the week.
You bet fearfaoin! He is a fantastic builder.
Again, thanks to all of you for having a look, and for the encouragement!!!
Best,
Trout
I'm glad you like the blog buddhu. I'm trying to keep it updated as often as possible. I'm actually about to mount the tuning machines, tail piece, and sand the bridge. Then it will be time to string 'er up in the white . . . finally. Hopefully I will be plinking away by the middle of the week.
You bet fearfaoin! He is a fantastic builder.
Again, thanks to all of you for having a look, and for the encouragement!!!
Best,
Trout
http://northwaystringedinstruments.blogspot.com/
"Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus" - Terence, Eunuchus, IV.v
"Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus" - Terence, Eunuchus, IV.v