Chambered body e-mando build part 1

Work is now underway on my next chambered body e-mando. Below you can see the all work that goes into its core which, once the instrument is complete will never ever be seen!

I always treat my wood as precious and try to keep waste to a minimum; therefore, rather than machine the core from one large lump of wood, I laminate it from strips. Also, this method allows me to cut channels for the wiring to run through the body and creates a cavity under the where the bridge will sit.

Once all the of the core has been glued together, a strip of hardwood (maple in this case) is used to reinforce the end joints. . . . . . .

. . . . and then a piece of plywood is inserted, this will take the threaded endpin jack-socket.

With all that done, the final shape can be cut out.

Here you can see the rebate which will eventually take two panels which will “close-up” the chambers.

Top Twenty (Teisco) Bass Restoration: 4

The restoration is now complete and in this video, I give you a demo of what this vintage bass sounds like. The bass is played with the tone knob set at its two extremes and using fingers and then a pick.

Latest Standard mandolin

Here’s the latest Standard mandolin, complete and now safely with its new owner and also with its sibling (a Nava e-mando). I always love the elegant simplicity of my Standard’s design.

Top Twenty (Teisco) Bass Restoration: 3

All the of the bass’s components get a good clean-up and the Top Twenty gets put back together again.

Top Twenty (Teisco) Bass Restoration: 2

 In this video, the bass is stripped down and some of its secrets revealed! It gets its re-fret which, as predicted, is far from straight forward!

Top Twenty (Teisco) Bass Restoration: 1

This is an introduction to my latest side project: the restoration of vintage mij Top Twenty bass guitar. In this video, I tell you what I know about the bass so far and look some the issues that need to be remedied.

Chambered Body E-mando now completed.

I’m glad to say that the latest e-mando has been completed and as I write this, it’s in transit, on a 7500 mile adventure!

Below is the last video in the series and some nice photos!

Cocobolo tonewood for sale

Cocobolo tonewood for sale

I’m thinning out my tonewood collection and offering two sets (back and sides) of wonderful Cocobolo for sale. I’ve made a number of great sounding mandolins from similar wood and I’m sure it would be suitable for other smaller instruments too.

I’ve had this wood in my humidity-controlled workshop for many years, so it’s ready to use.

I originally purchased it from Andy at Prime Timbers and if you know of him, you’ll know that you won’t find better quality or better prepared wood anywhere.

Beautiful, quarter sawn wood, ranging from warm orange to rich brown: can only be described as master grade!

Set #1

 

Back (each piece) 380 x 165 tapering to 155mm. 4mm thickness

Sides (each piece) 610 x 100 tapering to 92mm. 4mm thickness

 

Set #2

Back (each piece) 380 x 155mm. 4mm thickness

Sides (each piece) 620 x 92mm. 4mm thickness

 

I’d like £100 per set or £180 for both, plus whatever the shipping is. I can only ship this within the UK.

 If you’re interested, you can find my email address here and I can send you some more photos too.

Thanks Gary.