#1
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2 Trees mandolin
As many of you know I recently built a mandolin for Mau (Joe Charter) with lots of inlays. http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=361967
I actually was building mandolins before I started building guitars but it had been years since and I wanted to make sure his came out nice so I decided to build 5 of them at the same time, partly to test new jigs and fixtures I'd made but also just to fine tune some of the long-lost techniques unique to F style mandolins. As I moved through the processes each was subjected to the same steps up until it came time to do the binding and finish work, at that point I had to work on each individually (no benefit to batching at this point) The first was Mau's (obviously) and now I've completed the second one. Unlike Mau's this one is not spoken for! Here are the spec's L.S Redwood top One-piece Tree mahogany back and sides (yes bending Tree mahogany for the scroll IS an adventure!!! ) Tortoise shell binding (celluloid) Ebony fretboard and bridge Tree mahogany headstock and pickguard It's basically the same details as my 40th Anniversary "2-Trees" guitars I'm not sure but I may be having too much fun building these... Harv
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Harvey Leach |
#2
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wow
Wow. I hadn't caught Mau's build thread (but will go there now).
In the meantime, wow. Not being a mandolin player or listener, how do those woods on this instrument distinguish the tones from other (more common?) mandolin woods? Other than the beauty of the color and grain... Best, Phil
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Paragon RW/Macassar Ebony Baritone Rainsong S OM1100-N2 Woolson LS RW/30s African mahogany LG 12 Baranik LS RW/"tree" mahogany OO Baranik Blue Spruce/"tree" mahogany OM Boswell RW/koa OO Baranik Retreux Parlour Adi/Pumaquiro Baranik Blue Spruce/Coco Meridian "Geo" Baranik Blue Spruce/Kingwood OO Woolson T13 RW/Walnut SIG |
#3
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Absolutely stunning, Harv--hope this gets in the hands of someone that can really make it sing!
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2013 Stehr Auditorium (Carpathian/Myrtle) 2015 Stehr Auditorium (Adi/BRW) 2020 Baranik Meridian (Blue Spruce/Manchinga) 2020 Wilborn Arum (Tunnel 14/Coco) 2021 Kinnaird Graybeard (BC Cedar/Bog Oak) 2022 Kinnaird CS Student Build (Adi/Padauk) 2023 Kinnaird FS (Italian/Koa) |
#4
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Harv,
Of all the instrument build threads I've seen on this forum I personally believe yours are the nicest aesthetically (I have never tried one of your instruments). Visually, they are truly works of art. Each and every one.
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Bill Gennaro "Accept your lot, whatever it may be, in ultimate humbleness. Accept in humbleness what you are, not as grounds for regret but as a living challenge." |
#5
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A true work of art. Well done!
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#6
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Beautiful.
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#7
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I love how some of the aesthetic details and hardware that I asked for ended up on this mando as well! I actually prefer this tailpiece over the more popular flip-flap.
The wood pairing looks great -- and so does the red purfling line and bound f-holes. Overall, this mando has more "traditional" F-5 appointments (3-ply purfling all over, no bling) but non-traditional tone woods -- whereas mine has traditional tone woods but custom appointments (a blingy version of the F-5 Victorian). In any case, the 2 Trees mando looks very classy and would make a fine addition to any collection. |
#8
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Quote:
I've been using the red with the Tree guitars I've made and I think it really sets off both the Tree and the Redwood. Harv
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Harvey Leach |
#9
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Quote:
Harv
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Harvey Leach |
#10
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Quote:
I suppose I owe it all to my wife who was the one who taught me that almond and beige and different colors... I still don't see it but I trust her... Harv
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Harvey Leach |
#11
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I am mostly a mandolin player, and that is probably the prettiest mandolin I have ever seen. The redwood top set against the tortoise and red binding is stunning, but as a bluegrass mandolin player, I wonder how the redwood and mahogany interact to sculpt the sound? My guess is that it doesn't sound like a "bluegrass mandolin," the classic Gibson sound which I would define as having a deep heavy bass combined with bright, brilliant treble attack with strong emphasis on the fundamental, quick decay and few overtones, almost a scooped sound, to borrow an electric guitar term.
The good thing is that while bluegrassers make up a large percentage of the mandolin market, we certainly don't have it cornered. In particular, a loud F hole mandolin that doesn't sound like a Gibson might be a perfect fit for classical and Celtic session players. The F-5 was, of course, originally designed for classical mandolin orchestras, but it never really caught on (although Gibson f-5s can certainly be played in a classical context, I play mine in a mandolin quartet) in classical circles, lacking the clear bell-like highs and overtones. Similarly, ITM players constantly complain that their oval hole mandolins can't be heard in sessions, so a mandolin that combines more of an oval hole tone with F hole projection could be just what they are looking for. In fact, I bet if you built a similar F shaped mandolin with an oval hole (think Gibson F-4) you would have an incredible instrument. |
#12
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Tree Mandolin
Not spoken for..................at what price point could it be spoken for? Inquiring minds would probably like to know.
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www.brucerobinsonmusic.com |
#13
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Wow is right. I think it's really cool to step away from maple and spruce for the back and top. Great job!
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#14
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Wow, Harvey - another phenomenal piece!
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Fazool "The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter" Taylor GC7, GA3-12, SB2-C, SB2-Cp...... Ibanez AVC-11MHx , AC-240 |
#15
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You know I'm loving this thing. I haven't gotten up to Harv's to play it yet…and I'm not a good player…but it would sure be a nice companion piece to my 2 Tree's Cemona on order. For some reason I know he has one one piece back left….I'm gonna need to sell something for sure. I love Harv's work and his aesthetic…this Mando is calling my name.
Now if I can only get him to do a Pressed Back (like Guilds "Fake" carved back Jumbos) flat top guitar. I will that homeless guy living in a 15 year old motorhome on the corner filled with expensive instruments. The person who finds me dead will be very happy. PS: I hate you Harvey.
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https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-T...56266954411686 http://www.reverbnation.com/jayhowlett http://www.jayhowlett.com Guitars: I'm really happy to have a few nice ones. |