Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Really Nice, good timber selections, it all just fits together.
Well Done!

Kamusur wrote:You've got some mighty fine stuff going on there Graham, very well done.

Steve

Thanks Steve, the new owner is very happy with it. The appearance and sound is just what she wanted.

Great sound too!

Very Nice, great choice of timbers.
What Bracing patterns have you used?

This is the first of two mandolins I've been working on. A 60th Birthday Gift. Soundboard - Adirondack Spruce Back and Sides and Headstock - East Indian Rosewood Neck - Curly American Maple Bindings, Fretboard and Bridge - Ebony Tail Piece and Truss Rod Cover - Hand Engraved Gold Plated Brass Tuners...

Thanks Trent,
I looked all over for a piece of the right Tartan, had to be Gordon Clan Dress Tartan. After a week or more trolling the Internet, I showed my wife, and voila! she had a piece in amongst her patch work material.
And now it's in the headstock.

A nice Baritone Ukulele, commissioned by Paul Gordon Paul wanted something to reflect his Scottish Heritage, so I added a bit of the Gordon Clan insignia. Named - BYDAND which is the Gordon Clan slogan. Back and Sides - Black Heart Sassafras Neck - Queensland Maple Soundboard - Engelmann Spruce Head...

Well done, that philosophy will come in handy elsewhere.
Did you still install it at around 45% RH?

Thanks Graham. Forgot to mention that purple bauhinia is pretty striking stuff! Like the colours... It looks darker in the photos than it is in the flesh. It's feels quite oily but machines and sands well. I'm keen to get some bigger pieces for back and sides, they are hard to get as most trees hol...

Extremely nice looking. The Wenge I've seen in the UK has ben rather blacker looking than that. Do you think the horn works well as saddle and nut material? I have some large billets of Wenge and they look darker than the back and side sets that have been sanded. Buffalo horn works well for nuts an...

Thanks for that, I did have an all brown piece of ringed gidgee on the headstock, but didn't look right with the Rosette.

Hi Dave,
yes, it a bit different knowing just how old it is.
The dark brown piece in the heel is a bit of desert oak, same as the heel cap.
Cheers
Graham

I used Bote Cote epoxy resin on this one, also used West Systems and Z-Proxy. I think Bote Cote is the best of them, and its made in Australia

Boat Craft - Brisbane
(07) 3806 1944
They sell it in sample packs.

Yeh, I put that style of label in all of my instruments, it is busy, but should the instrument get resold or given away the new owner has record of what it is was built from.
Helps me to, I keep the a copy of the labels, cause I can't remember what I did yesterday let alone last year.

I my posting for the Mini Jumbo, I mentioned that it was modelled from a full size Jumbo also out of Wenge (When-Gay) This is it: Back & Sides - Wenge Headstock, Fretboard, Bridge, Bindings, Backstrip and Heel cap - Native (Purple) Bauhinia from Central Queensland Soundboard - Bearclaw Sitka Spruce ...

Hi Mark,
Yes, its CF Falcate Braced. The Headstock is a give away isn't it.
The nut and saddle are Northern Teritory Buffalo Horn. I was given a couple of Buffalo Horns, its easy to work and polishes up really well.
Cheers
Graham

Your pronunciation is correct, according to Wikipedia anyway.
Wenge (/ˈwɛŋɡeɪ/ weng-gay)
Either way it makes great sounding guitars.
Cheers

Yep, sure did, it's like trying to pore fill a cheese grater.
I think it's worth the effort though. Sounds Great.

I made this for a good friend, who already had one of my full size Jumbo Guitars, also out of Wenge. I'll include some pictures of it as well Back and Sides Wenge ( I've been told it should be pronounced [Ven-ga] as its an African wood and its name has Dutch origins) Headstock overlay, Bindings, Fre...

Yep, have to be careful, I found the same thing with other spruces, not just Engelmann.
I found that a light coat of shellac helps prevent it, but you still have to be careful.

Made this one last year, had the wood since 2009. Got enough for a few more.
New Zealand Ancient Kauri, unusual stuff to work with, cuts like craft wood.
Somewhere between 35,000 and 50,000 years old

That looks fantastic, and mostly Australian wood to boot.
Can't wait to see the next one
Great work!, not over stated, just quality.

Very Nice, even with the assistance of CNC Technology!

No I didn't, it was done by London Engravers. He does very nice work, this is about as simple as he does.

Back and Sides - Curly Avodire
Headstock, bindings, bridge - Ringed Gidgee
Neck - Curly American Maple with Ringed Gidgee Spine.
Soundboard - Adirondack Spruce.
CF reinforced Falcate Bracing.
Body and fretboard Purfling - Paua Shell