Sticking the lid on

It's really starting to look the part. I stuck in my label, gave the inside a coat of varnish and then glued the front on with extramite adhesive. The back and front overlap the sides, so the next job will be to trim these flush, prior to fitting some binding.

Lots of pegs

Here is the obligatory picture of a host of clothes pegs - in this case affixing the lining. After this the front goes on, so I will have to remember to stick in my maker's label. I also glued the back of the cittern today, with its stripe down the middle.

Cittern neck

This generated a great deal of sawdust, but it's looking quite good. The peghead is longer then the octave mandola to accommodate the ten tuning machines, and the neck is wider to give room for the five sets of strings. The fretboard is going to have a slight radius (30cm) to make this wider neck more comfortable. The strips in the fromt of the picture are the pine linings ready to be bent (these should do both instruments if I don't snap them during the heat bending).

Heel Cap

It was a bit fiddly, but I decided to fit a heel cap to the octave mandola as the walnut back wasn't quite big enough. I made this from some of the macassar ebony that I'm using for the fretboard and peghead veneer. I also fitted the truss rod to the cittern neck.

Starting to look like an instrument

I love this moment. I cut out the slots in the neck to accept the ribs and, for the first time I could see the shape and size that the instrument will have when its finished. After a few moments imagining the completed octave mandola, I glued it with araldite and left it to set.

I have also ordered the wood for the back of the cittern - once it arrives I'll have everything I need to finish both the Octave Mandola and the Cittern.

Two Necks

I've been busy over the Easter weekend and have made progress on the necks of the 'octave' and the cittern. I have made and fitted the ebony peghead veneer - the Macassar ebony is lovely to work with and the grain is more interesting that the plain black ebony. On the cittern neck (sycamore) I have put in the centre stripe of three layers of veneer and marked up to start fitting the trussrod. I have also been shopping and bought the tuners and fretwire from Stew Mac in the USA.

More Supplies

I finally decided to go with Macassar Ebony for the fretboard and peghead on the octave mandola, and I've bought a couple of bits on e-bay. I have also decided to try and make an ebony tailpiece, along the design of those used on violins and cellos.

neck and body

Things are starting to move on a bit now. I'm just about to glue the back on, and I've shaped the neck. I now need to order the wood for the fretboard and peg head (and maybe tailpiece). I was going to use Madagascar ebony, but I might try kingwood.

On with the neck

I'm just fitting the truss rod to my walnut neck, and I have had to cut a thread for the first time. It turned out to be pretty straightforward...

New Wood

Both instruments lurched forward a bit. The cittern belly got a set of braces (shown not quite finished here). When I have tidied up the two little braces I will be setting this one aside for a while.




I prepared the tailblock for the octave mandola from some of the alaskan spruce, and glued the walnut ribs to it. I am pretty happy with the joint. I also 'bent' a set of linings from some willow I had in stock (shown in the foreground of the photo). I will probably use these for the backs of both instruments, and make some spruce ones for the bellies. Or then again, I might use stick with just the willow.



Finally, I received a shipment of walnut from Paul at Goulden Hardwoods who was really helpful. I will be using one bit to make the neck of the Octave Mandola, and the other bits may well find there way into future mandolins...

Braces and Ribs

After the lads got beaten at football, I finished off the braces for the octave mandola. I then bent my walnut ribs and put them into the mould. The walnut bent quite easily, and looked really pretty when darkened in the water. The ribs were a little too long for the mould so had to do a bit of trimming and also take out one of the turn-buttons. I will leave the ribs to dry in the mould for a few days.

I have been looking around for some UK-based wood suppliers, especially with the dollare so strong, and I have a couple of leads. I'm trying out Yandles for some maple and sycamore (for the back braces), and contacting tonewood-suppliers to look for some fingerboards, back and neck wood.

Progress at last

I made good on my intention to get restarted on the instrument making, and over this weekend glued up the back of the octave mandola. The two bookmatched pieces are only just big enough and I have have no spare at all. There may be enough for the 'button', but this might have to be made from a separate piece of figured walnut.

I also glued the tone bars to the yellow cedar belly. I had forgotten how quickly the Titebond glue sets and had to scrape some half set adhesive off the bars when I made a hash of it the first time through. With the bars its better to use too much glue to start with and squeeze out the excess. It was much better on the second attempt.

Back to the lutherie

I'm happy to report that the cloakroom is now done (except for wiring in the shower which I will get a proper sparky to do) and I can back to making instruments. I have sharpened up my chisels, plane irons and cabinet scrapers and I'm ready to go. I have even tidied up my garage to celebrate the start of the new year.

I have done some of the calculations (string tension, nut spacing etc.) and set these out on two design sheets (one shown to the left). Next I need to make the octave mandola back from the e-bay walnut.

Cloakroom

Just so you know, this is the reason that I'm on my self-imposed luthiery ban. I still hope to have it finished by Christmas.

Grrrrrr

I'm currently 'fixing up' the cloakroom and so am a self-imposed ban from any proper luthiery - the tension is starting to build! So instead, I've been shopping with some birthday funds. I've bought a set of plans for a Gibson Les Paul, as a guide to building No. 1 son's 21st birthday present and a new set of nut files (all from the marvelous Stew-Mac). I also located a walnut back and sides set on e-bay, and it arrived in the post today. I like the contrasting colours, but it's going to be a tight squeeze for the octave size.

Gittern Plans

This is my current plan - drawn out on holiday:

Soundhole cut out

I've now cut out the soundhole and the outline of the belly. I've also added some reinforcement on the inside to protect the fragile edge of the soundhole. Next to fit the braces.

Commissions

My sister has asked me if I can make her a stringed instrument suitable for playing at a Tudor historical recreation. I have done a bit of research, and the lute looks the most appropriate. However, I'm not ready to do a 'ribbed' bowl back instrument yet, so I will suggest a Gittern. These appeared in the 14th century, and didn't disappear until the 17th or 18th, so she shouldn't get thrown out for having an anachronism! I have also been given an electric guitar (belonging to a friend of my elder son) to fix - a bit of electrics and possibly a new set of frets.

Purfling

I faced a bit of a challenge putting in the purfling which goes round the soundhole. I had been wondering for a while how to cut a neat oval channel. In the end I made a template out of some 1cm thick oak (from an old drawer side) and used this to guide a mini router. My practise attempt went well, but on the real thing the router bit slipped down while I was cutting and the channel was a bit too deep in one place. Still, no real harm done, and the fitted purfling looks quite good.

I will now cut out the soundhole itself (just inside the purfling, and re-inforce the inside with a strip of sycamore veneer.

Second Belly

The second belly is now glued up and thicknessed. I have also made the first set of braces (also shown in the picture). The little picture is a close up of the 'bearclaw' figure on the spruce - I can't say it looks much like anything done by a bear!

Nearly Oops

I have now marked out the treble bars on the correct side!

Belly work

The first belly is now cut out (including the soundhole). The photo is the inside with the positions of the braces marked out in pencil. I have already sawn the timber for the braces (spruce) and these now need shaping and gluing into place. My daughter will be glad when I've finished working on the yellow cedar belly wood as she doesn't like the smell at all!

First belly glued up

I have now glued up the two pieces of yellow cedar to make the first belly. I have just been in to the garage to take a photo and it has bowed rather alarmingly. I think that it may be something to do with the leather mat I left it on (the remains of our old leather sofa). Fortunately, the bow is the same way as the wood will be bent to make the belly and the joint is completely sound. The wood 'rings' quite nicely when I knock it. The yellow cedar seems more pliable than the spruce, and I wonder if this contributes to the 'mellow' tone that it is supposed to impart.

The bellies begin

Much excitement as my box of wood arrived from Alsaka. The company, Alaska Speciality Woods kindly included a magazine about Prince of Wales Island, where they are based - it looks very beautiful. Fishing appears to be the main pastime! I have given both sets of soundboards a tidy up with a plane.

The first picture is the yellow cedar - destined for the mandola. It has a strong scent which is particlarly noticable whent its being planed. I quite like it, but my daughter reckons it smells horrible.

The other picture is the sitka spruce for the cittern. The 'bearclaw' figure is quite light, but pretty nevertheless.

The next job is to 'shoot' the boards (plane them square for joining).

My Stuff

My veneers arrived from Anita Marquetry (these will make the stripes down the neck), but I didn't have any luck at Craft Supplies - they don't seem to have anything in stock!

I have now ordered the tops from Alaska. One Sitka spruce (for the cittern) and one yellow cedar (for the mandola).

Shopping

I have started my big shopping session for the wood and other bits and pieces for the two instruments. The cittern (10 strings) will have a spruce front and maple back and sides, with maple linings and some purfling. The neck will be laminated maple, and the fretboard and peg head veneer will be ebony. The octave mandola will also have a spruce front, but with a walnut back and sides. The neck will be laminated walnut, and the fretboard and peghead will be maple (a bit unusual, I hope). I intend to sell one of these instruments (I don't think I mind which one) and reckon on asking about £500. I'd better make sure that they're top quality!

Why no progress???

Well, I'm waiting until I have enough cash to buy the wood, that's why. Anyway, I have, in the meantime made a new thickness gauge. I have also set upon the idea of making one of the two octave mandolas with five courses of strings, rather than four. The top course will be tuned to 'B', and I have calculated new string spacings, and tensions (I found a handy programme at http://www.kennaquhair.com/ustc.htm). I have got a feeling that this will make the instrument a cittern!

Octave Mandola(s)

Well, I've made a start on the octave mandolas. This is the mould, pictured alongside the mandolin mould. My objective is to make two, and sell one to cover the cost of the materials. I have also decided to make my oldest son a guitar for his 21st birthday - something based on a Les Paul. This gives me a while, but the clock's ticking...

Finished at last

Well, the mandolin banjo is now complete. I fitted the new set of strings and lowered the action a bit. I really like the sound - it suits blues well, but it can be a bit loud. I'm particularly pleased with the inlay around the rim - I think that I will try something like this on the octave mandola that's coming next.

Mostly strung up

I finished the nut and made a new bridge this weekend. I strung up the the instrument, but unfortunately found I had no D strings! I have been playing it with just the E, A and G - it doesn't sound bad but it is quite loud so I'm expecting some complaints from the rest of the family. I'll get some D strings as soon as I can. The bridge will still need some minor adjustments to lower the action a tiny bit, and then it will be finished. Bring on the octave mandola...

The 'Pot' is finished

I've inlayed some mother of pearl and ebony into the rim of the pot - I'm pretty happy with the results. I have attached the neck with one bolt and one screw - the bolt looks a bit ugly so I may replace it with another screw. Also, the pine at the bottom of the pot looks out of place so I am thinking of gluing a maple veneer over it to hide it.

The pot

Well precisely...

Here is the oval peghead hole (the shame). Luckily the bushing will cover it up! In my defense, the original holes were all out of alignment and the drill bit followed the path of least resistance.

Creeping forwards

I managed to squeeze in a couple more sessions in the garage. I have glued on the back and fitted the banding to cover the join. I have also fitted a new set of frets (which went well) and drilled out the holes for the tuners. This latter job was a bit sloppy, and one of the holes has ended up oval - I can cover it up but it was a bit slack. Less than Zen.

Mandolin banjo - progress report

I want to get this one finished as soon as possible, so I can start my next proper project (an octave mandola, in walnut). I have made a new rim (constructional maple veneers bent round a mould), and I am going to glue the base on next. This (also in the photo) is a nice bookmatched maple veneer, glued to a thin plywood base. The join will be hidden by a binding round the base.

I have cleaned up the old neck and fitted a new peghead veneer - I have still to put the new frets in, fit the nut and fit a set of tuning machines.

Another View

I liked this view!

Its Finished

Actually, it was finished a couple of weeks ago, but I haven't got round to posting the photo until today. It makes a great noise!

Hanging around

The dulcimer is now ready to finish off with Tru-oil. I have put up a sort of gallows in the garage to hang it up for the finishing process. I've tried to make it nice and strong, given what happened with the mandolin! The new pegs (rosewood) arrived and I'm happy that I've made the right decision to use them rather than the (plastic!) adjustable ones. I have had to order a peg shaver though.

Looking ahead, I've been thinking about the next instruments. Currently I'm minded to attack the obsession as follows:

1. Finish off the restoration of the mandolin banjo (I've already cut out the new wood to replace the stuff that went moldy).

2. Make the 'Microlin'. This will be an electronic practice instrument with a built in amplifier - the electronics will be a challenge but I've bought the bits and a beginners electronics starter kit.

3. F-mandolin - So far I've made the mould.

4. Octave mandolin in walnut (following the John Troughton book). Maybe two - why not!

Nearly there...

Well, nearly there. I've added the bindings and made the nut and bridge for each end. I strung up one side for a bit of a test. The sound was very pleasing - louder than I thought, with quite a rich tone. The next step is to clean everything up and apply the finish - I will be using Tru Oil as I did for the mandolin. I'm also not entirely happy with the pegs (they are adjustable), and I may get some plain wooden (ebony) ones.

Close-up

In close-up. I should also mention that the mandolin banjo is a bit stalled. Basically the wood bending went well but I left the pieces to dry in an old biscuit tin. Unfortunately, there must have been some mold spores present as the wood turned into a multicoloured fungus garden! Back to the ordering catalogue I suppose.

Happy New Year

At last a bit of progress - the twin fretboards are made and glued to the top (which now sports some 'f' holes).

Birthday presents

Thank you, first of all, to my Sister & Family who gave me some wood (little did they know it!). The flamed maple veneer will be used for the bottom of the mandolin banjo pot, and the maple strips will be bent into hoops to form the sides. The thin strip is edge banding.

I made a bit of progress this evening - I have started on the mould for the pot (wheels of plywood glued together) and I also made a peghead veneer (as the original was painted!) out of ebony and glued it onto the neck.

My own family have equiped me with a new router which I need to make a table for...more projects and the porch still isn't finished.

Fitting the new goatskin

I have now fitted a new skin. This turned out to be quite straightforward and after I'd soaked the skin for half an hour I had it fitted, stretched and drying in only a few minutes. It sounds good when you tap it, but I hope it doesn't crack while it's drying out.

Dulcimer Fretboard

Just to mention that the dulcimer is still creeping forward - this is the second fretboard being glued up.

...is now in bits

It really was a wreck. I have disassembled it and removed the worn brass frets, which I will replace with modern nickel-silver fretwire. I have also ordered a new skin - it will need soaking and stretch fitting which sounds like fun!

My New Mandolin Banjo

It's a bit of a wreck...did I mention that the nut needs replacing too!

Getting going again

I have to admit that progress has been extremely slow. However, after my decision to do a lot less inlay work, things have started up again. I bought two more fretboard blanks, this time in Indian rosewood, and I have now started working on the fretboards themselves.

So as to become even more distracted, I have also bought an old mandolin banjo on ebay, and it's a bit of a wreck. It needs a new skin, a new pot, a new bridge, new tuners and the frets need replacing! There will be very little of the original left when I've done with it.

more lack of progress

Still no progress, but I have now decided to scale back on the inlays. I think that this is what's really holding me back. So, I just need to get round to buying two more rosewood fretboards and then there can be no excuses! On a related note, I made my first e-bay purchase yesterday, a battered-looking mandolin banjo - I hope it arrives.

Holiday Blog

It's been ages since I last posted anything, and there has been very little progress on the dulcimer. The soundboard now fits, but I haven't started on the fretboards yet. I ended up buying some santos rosewood but I don't really like it so I will buy some bits of Indian instead.

I am currently on holiday in Skiathos which I recommend. There is some great walking, and I've heard some fine bouzeki playing in a couple of tavernas. I have just finished reading 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintainance' which I have been hankering after reading for ages. I was not disappointed - it was fantastic and I hope it will influence my woodworking positively