how to make a mandolin neck
I did it and it came out great. Don't hunch over. Neck relief- "none". Attach the head templates and smooth out the head as well by sanding it. To finish the neck (besides carving which is actually most labor intensive part of making the neck), I cut out the top profile and sanded it smooth. This helps to avoid bending a concave curve into the fret wire, which could prevent the edges from seating all the way. This is one of the times when this method of holding these parts together is a bit awkward. on Introduction. At only 8.5 inches wide, it is much smaller than an f5 style mandolin which is about 10 inches wide. Bet you nail it this time. It is good to start thick and thin the bridge later if you want. A larger pattern would likely allow for more bass response and volume.I prefer the look of this mandolin over my last one as well. My last mandolin's joint was so tight I could't get it together with glue on it even though I was able to dry fit it.Kerfed LiningI added the kerfed lining one side at a time securing each of the pieces with clothespins, then removed the excess lining using a sanding table.Gluing on the Top and BackI glued on the back and the top in one glue-up. Adjust the length of the strap, as needed, to ensure the mandolin is held securely and comfortably. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It's nice to see an in depth 'ible on instruments, there is very little on here pertaining to luthier work. 14 years ago The measured difference between the lightest and heaviest string sets seems small, but on a double course instrument with high string tension, it makes a big difference. After the third coat, I waited at least 12 hours before going over the finish a final time using 0000 steel wool. Don has released over 20 albums and played on countless others. If the neck is bowed, it is likely that the truss rod is too tight and should be loosened. Use a truss rod tool to loosen the truss rod. hmm good call. Use a tuner or tuning fork to ensure each string is at the correct pitch. Straightening a mandolin neck requires the right tools and careful execution of the task. Use a fret-rocker tool to check the fretboard for any high and low frets, and use a fret file to file them down. Check the frets. If there is any chance you will make another mandolin of the same design, higher quality plywood is definitely worth it.Attaching the Head BlockI attached the head block with a sturdy 3/4 inch thick block secured with 2 screws in the block and two more in the form. The scale length is roughly around 16.5" (42cm) and has four sets of courses tuned C-C-G-G-D-D-A-A. I had to glue on ears to make the full width of the peghead even though it wouldnt be too wasteful to use a solid piece. 1. 0727 Red Spruce Top Wood For Mandolin or Violin 1. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. He also teaches mandolin at music camps. 0767 Adjustable Archtop Mandolin Bridge . Includes a Red "Adirondack" Spruce top, curly (sugar) maple back (1 piece) with sides, curly maple neck block, and Red "Adirondack" spruce for tonebars. If mine turns out I will let you know. I got one from Andybanjo. Yes, it is necessary to remove the strings from the mandolin before attempting to straighten the neck. Check the truss rod. The truss rod wrench is a specialized tool used to adjust the truss rod. In this video I start with a AAA Quilted Maple neck blank and go through all the step to get the neck ready to install on the Octave Mandolin.Mandocello \u0026 Octave Mandolin blueprints: https://www.hovingtoninstruments.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.htmlTOOLS \u0026 CONSUMABLESStarbond Affiliated link: https://www.starbond.com/?rfsn=4557175.8fa7abUse TOMY10 at checkoutNeedle Files https://amzn.to/39ehKTlNut files https://amzn.to/3qGpx22End fret file https://amzn.to/366IjYESpool clamps https://amzn.to/3oerpNKLuthier's Clamps https://amzn.to/39ehdRlStanley coping saw https://amzn.to/2KQaljGJeweler saw \u0026 blades https://amzn.to/3ocF7R9Card Scraper set https://amzn.to/3t3rdomProtractor https://amzn.to/3o9rn9WDial indicator https://amzn.to/3pjuDRtString winder https://amzn.to/3sThUXRBinding glue (Duco) https://amzn.to/39YP0guTable saw blade: https://amzn.to/3iKeGkFDado Oshlun 6\" https://amzn.to/3cch9DlWood Slicer Bandsaw blade by Highland WoodworkingDewalt router kit https://amzn.to/3iPAEmvDewalt variable speed sander https://amzn.to/39iZGHLPorter cable drill and impact combo https://amzn.to/3sSCdonDremel https://amzn.to/3sSxF18Dremel base https://amzn.to/3sUBEKzInlay bits: https://amzn.to/3psw8NvMy Video gearCamera: Iphone 11 pro: https://amzn.to/3peiEEUCanon T5i: https://amzn.to/3sStItkYongnuo 35mm: https://amzn.to/39fFqXgYongnuo 50mm: https://amzn.to/3a3YnvlSD card: https://amzn.to/2LUbd7sExternal harddrive LaCie 5T: https://amzn.to/3ofhN5lOctave Mandolin Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB3i3ZcgLMU\u0026list=PLAoIsxfenTwYWTdxDy6WIon8oNYdaWi50website:http://www.hovingtoninstruments.com/ He also teaches mandolin at music camps. Share it with us! Strumming chords is a great way to begin playing on the mandolin. I'd put a coat of linseed, tung, or Watco on the bare wood. This was much easier with the center dowel system I used. It's called a banjolin. It cost less than $100 for all of the materials for this mandolin making it a relatively inexpensive project considering the end product.For more information about my first and second mandolin projects (including plans for both), check out my website: thewidgetforge.com. )Cutting It OutI first glued on the paper template I would use to cut out the top profile of the form. Re-string the mandolin and check the tuning and intonation. I didnt try to scallop the braces at all since my attempts on the last mandolin didnt work out to my satisfaction. Next I drilled out the corners of the tail block section using 1/4 inch holes. This is adjusted by filing the string slots to even out the strings. ", How to Straighten a Mandolin Neck: A Step-by-Step Guide to Get You Playing Again. Generally I just come prepared to do two nuts before I come up with one that I am happy with.Tailpiece PinsThe unique tailpiece system I devised for the mandolin consists of four brass pins made from 1/8th inch round brass rod. This fact alone has drawn the ire of many a mandolin purist.This mandolin was much faster to build than my first one, but still took awhile: I did the majority of the construction in about two weeks with around 40 hours of build time. 8 years ago If the strings are spaced unusually wide or close, or if the action is too high or low, it might be a sign that the neck needs to be straightened. This made for clean cuts and a better looking form. The truss rod is a metal rod that is used to adjust the necks curvature. The arched top and back are ready for sanding and assembly, or you can tap-tune the fine European spruce top until it's just right. This 1926 Style A features a spruce top, engraved tailpiece, and ebony fretboard and bridge. The easiest way to affect the playability of your mandolin is with your strings. At that point the wood becomes flexible and can bend surprisingly easily with gentle even pressure. 6,852 90. Oval. on Introduction, any music wire (piano wire, guitar strings, etc..) would work just as well as long a you can get the right gauges for the notes you want to be able to tune to, 9 years ago I could have made the button much closer to the correct size as it was very difficlut to par down without hurting the rest of the neck once glued in place.Installing the Tail BindingThe tail end binding was glued with wood glue and held in place with masking tape to dry. To help me get even clamping pressure all the way around the top and back, I made more toy wheel, bolt and wing nut spool clamps for this glue up. Oops, looks like you forgot something. Old A and A-1 mandolins can still be found under $2,000 if you look and Gibson has a new mandolin with that width and a radiused fretboard, the Jam Master A with a street price under $2K. The third pitfall that can cause a mandolin to repeatedly fall out of tune is construction problems. With the body clamped down securely on drill press, I drilled the four holes at least an inch deep each using an 1/8th inch brad point bit.Attaching the ButtonI glued on the oversized rosewood button using wood glue. If the strings are too high at the nut, its really tough to fret, and the intonation in the first position can be sharp. 8 years ago The top of your bridge sits on those wheels, which move up or down when you turn them, raising or lowering the action. The pivot is 5.5" from the blade to create the 11" diameter cut. It reads:Mandolin No. This system is definitely a weak point in the form design, but I haven't come up with a better way to hold the head block in place. A 1 1/8" nut width is standard, but many models can be made slightly wider. Straighten your back and square your shoulders while you play. These soundholes wound up being much closer to the edge than on the last mandolin. I'd love to see it when you're done! Once the source of the problem has been identified, it can be corrected and the mandolin neck can be straightened. If the tuning pegs are not properly adjusted, it can cause the neck to bow; adjust the tuning pegs as needed. It would be better to keep the block in place and keep everything securely connected, but I had to remove it since it was in the way.Finishing the RimAt this point, I knocked the rim free of the mould and sanded the top and back surfaces flush with a belt sander while it was turned off. There's a little ivoroid strip between the latter two, so in a way, it's four pieces. How to make a Dovetail neck joint by hand Tomy Hovington 22.6K subscribers Subscribe 91K views 5 years ago Octave Mandolin build Hand cut dovetail neck joint This is the latest part in the. I didn't get the joint between the side halves at the tail of the instrument as tight as I had wanted, but knew I would be covering that joint up with a piece of binding later.Trimming the SidesI used a low angle plane to carve the sides even with the mould and blocks. The NutThe nut is often time consuming. A mandolin is a stringed musical instrument in the lute family. In order to translate written musical instructions and symbols into music that you can play on your mandolin, a basic understanding of chord diagrams, tablature (or 'tab'), and the fingering for a few common scales makes your life a lot easier. I've gotten caught a few times trying to make the action just a little lower, at which point I end up going too low and ruin the nut. From there, I carefully taped across to the unseated side until the entire fret was seated up to the tangs. These gouges luckily cleaned up of with a bit of recarving at the base of the neck. 7 years ago I applied three coats with about three hours between the first and second coats as well as between the second and third coats. Gluing on the SidesI used the same system to glue the sides to the blocks as I did to hold them on after bending. Use a band saw for cutting the neck according to plans. If you were wondering what the little wheels under your bridge top do, this is it. This is about the thickness of a piece of paper, so not much at all. What are the Steps for Straightening a Mandolin Neck? at the moment, i've just started with the neck, laminated 3 pieces of "southern pine" and steel truss rod hopefully she'll hold. I used chisels freehand to remove the wood from the button area and to smooth and flatten the final surface to accept the button.Bending the BindingI used the same rig to bend the binding as I used to bend the sides. It took a lot more care and time to cut out the holes without breaking the top.BracesThe braces were first cut out of a larger piece of spruce sold to be used in guitars. One pass on the table saw was enough to make the 1/8th inch wide slot.The ButtonUnlike most buttons I've seen, this one extends beyond the neck's end and over the top of the sides. Up to an additional 30% off shop-wideEnjoy weekend savings on Fender, Gretsch, and moreShop now. I have a mountain Dulcimer I need to finish I am a bit timid about bending the side and setting the neck. The bridge can generally move along the mandolin towards the neck or to the tail, sliding over the soundboard if the strings are in place. Tuning is the same as that of a violin, or in the GDAE range. To check the neck joint, remove the neck and inspect the joint for any gaps. This will help to determine how much the neck needs to be adjusted.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'countryinstruments_com-leader-4','ezslot_17',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-countryinstruments_com-leader-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'countryinstruments_com-leader-4','ezslot_18',131,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-countryinstruments_com-leader-4-0_1'); .leader-4-multi-131{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. on Step 12. nice build, good looking flatiron. This height will allow a clean tone with comfortable playability. These screws stop the tuners from spinning. Adjust the truss rod. I used a large file so that I could work with two frets at a time up higher on the fretboard which helped to protect the edge of the fretboard. BUILDING SPECIALISTS. Tilt the neck about 45 degrees upward. So if you know how to play a few scales, youre able to learn tunes faster by ear or by tab. What are the Steps to Set up a Mandolin? The player wont be able to get the sound they desire, and the instrument will be difficult to play. String the mandolin with the eight strings. Reduce the bridge thickness as desired. The head is where you fasten the tuning . I cut out the form's top profile on the band saw and smoothed it with a drum sander then friction fit the tail block into its recess. The tools required to straighten a mandolin neck include a truss rod, a truss rod wrench, a straight edge, and a capo. If there are any bulges or gaps, the frets may need to be leveled or replaced. I added a bunch of rubber bands to the heel area where the binding was especially stubborn.Trimming the BindingOnce the glue was dry, I planed down the top edge with a thumb plane. 4. 001. Please check the fields highlighted in red. Attach the neck to the body. The mandola sits in between the octave mandolin and the regular mandolin. A thumb plane may also work for this task. That method took at least two people, one to hold the side in place and the other to stretch the rubber band. The first step is to bandsaw the rough side profile using a paper template as a guide. For one, it only has four strings compared with a mandolins typical eight. 12th fret action- .050" G, .040 high e. Nut slot height is critical on a mandolin. 6. Find deals on mandolins from top brands like Eastman, Washburn, Gibson, and more. The courses are normally tuned in unison and consist of two single strings plucked together. Spinning both the wheels clockwise will lower the bridge to the body of the mandolin. Additionally, the tension from the strings could cause the neck to bend further or snap if too much pressure is applied. I also added a clamp down the center to hold the tail end tight to the tail block. I shoot for twelve thousandths (0.012) of an inch clearance under the G and D, and ten thousandths (0.010) under the A and E. Youre all done. The joints were much better than on my last mandolin and wood glue would likely have worked, but I wanted to play it safe. Theres one step left, checking string height at the nut, and it has an enormous impact on how the mandolin plays in the first position. This is because the strings may hinder the ability to properly adjust the truss rod and the bridge, which are necessary steps to straightening the neck. This Cheat Sheet explains these helpful tools while supplying the most common chords and scales . It'll do less damage to the wood that you'd then have to sand. From peeling finish due to bug spray, lotions, and hand grunge or sticky finish making it hard to move up and down the neck like a pro. It allows for the strings to be stretched, creating the necessary tension to make different pitches. I'd love to see it! Before attempting to straighten a mandolin neck, it is important to understand what might be causing it to be out of alignment. Making A Laminated Neck Blank Project Electric Guitar 12.2K subscribers Subscribe 1.3K 84K views 5 years ago Here's how I prepare the pieces, glue and clamp a laminated neck blank for an. Remove the strings from the mandolin and place the instrument on a flat work surface. If the frets are not seated properly, it can cause the neck to be out of alignment. Use a truss rod tool to loosen the truss rod. String gauge will have a huge effect on the feel and playability of your mandolin, with lighter gauge strings being easier to fret than heavier gauge strings. Now go try that Grisman tune again. For most of my customers, I have found that fifty thousandths (0.05) of an inch on the bass strings, and forty thousandths (0.04) on the treble strings is good. Lastly, a capo is used to press down the strings of the mandolin so that the neck can be adjusted without the strings getting in the way. With double course high-tension strings, a proper mandolin setup is critical to the accuracy and enjoyment of playing. And once you become familiar with mandolin chord charts, everything will be easier and less abstract. Check the strings. It is important to straighten a mandolin neck because a bowed neck can cause a variety of issues with playability and sound. If the neck joint is loose, it can cause the neck to bow; tighten the neck joint as needed. Does it sound like a real mandolin? He also teaches mandolin at music camps. on Step 8. Keep in mind that this is not a step-by-step lesson in how to do your own setup, but should serve as an overview to help you learn how the different adjustments can make your mando play great.
how to make a mandolin neck