Search found 1072 matches

by Mark McLean
Fri Dec 22, 2023 10:06 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: New Flamenco Blanca
Replies: 9
Views: 31861

Re: New Flamenco Blanca

Very interesting. Thanks.
by Mark McLean
Thu Dec 21, 2023 6:28 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: New Flamenco Blanca
Replies: 9
Views: 31861

Re: New Flamenco Blanca

A lovely guitar Steve. I really like the balance of colours and detail, but still remaining simple and elegant. 7mm height of the strings off the soundboard? That is surprisingly low (12-13 would be typical for a steel string). Is that a characteristic feature of the flamenco style (my ignorance), a...
by Mark McLean
Tue Dec 19, 2023 9:54 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Vale Frank Ford - luthier and teacher
Replies: 5
Views: 17762

Vale Frank Ford - luthier and teacher

I just read the news that Frank has passed away. I am sure that many of you have used his website Frets.com over the years. Frank was a visionary teacher and communicator, a phenomenally knowledgeable luthier, and just a lovely guy. When you look at the quality and quantity of stuff on frets.com, an...
by Mark McLean
Sat Dec 02, 2023 9:44 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Small guitar
Replies: 5
Views: 23627

Re: Small guitar

That is lovely Peter. The King Billy has a very interesting and distinctive look to it - very different to any kind of spruce. Good to know that it sounds good as well as looking so nice.
by Mark McLean
Fri Dec 01, 2023 10:58 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: OM size Nylon String Crossover
Replies: 32
Views: 101710

Re: OM size Nylon String Crossover

That should work well. Graham McDonald's bouzouki designs include one with a bolts-through-the-back set-up like that and it is very solid, and nicely adjustable for neck angle. I like the idea of the elevated fingerboard too. This is a very interesting build!
by Mark McLean
Fri Nov 24, 2023 5:04 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Solid neck through
Replies: 4
Views: 9064

Re: Solid neck through

Clean as a whistle, and very individual!
Nice job
by Mark McLean
Mon Oct 16, 2023 8:02 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: IRW and Spruce Concert Classical
Replies: 6
Views: 27988

Re: IRW and Spruce Concert Classical

It looks fantastic Steve. Lovely combinations for a really elegant overall result. The rosewood is especially tasty.
by Mark McLean
Tue Oct 03, 2023 5:35 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Mandolin in Engelmann Spruce and RIver Oak (redux)
Replies: 10
Views: 36806

Re: Mandolin in Engelmann Spruce and RIver Oak (redux)

They both look lovely Bob. What are your thoughts about the two different bridge styles that you have used on them? One adjustable with thumb wheels. The other fixed height and looks lighter. I am quite a novice in mandolin style instruments and don't know the pros and cons of each type.
by Mark McLean
Fri Sep 29, 2023 10:34 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Slotting boards
Replies: 6
Views: 12563

Re: Slotting boards

That is a clever way to set the depth of cut.
by Mark McLean
Tue Sep 12, 2023 10:49 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Octave mandolin
Replies: 12
Views: 27349

Re: Octave mandolin

Looking good Bob. I also like to build with a zero fret, but it is not very commonly seen. Either ebony or maple bindings would be nice on that one. Difficult decision!
by Mark McLean
Tue Sep 12, 2023 8:10 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Octave mandolin
Replies: 12
Views: 27349

Re: Octave mandolin

Ahh, I can see that you don’t really need any advice from the rest of us to pull off a great result. Pore filling and then shellac? Will look great, but lots of work. I thought you had become a convert to hard wax oil finishes (and I see that bottle of TruOil on your shelf)? BTW, it looks like you d...
by Mark McLean
Sun Sep 10, 2023 1:53 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Octave mandolin
Replies: 12
Views: 27349

Re: Octave mandolin

That is a lovely looking instrument Bob. I did one like that from GM’s book a few years ago and really enjoyed it ( my first build that wasn’t a guitar). That stripy walnut is pretty stunning. With black bindings it would look very smart. That shape does not require as much tight bending as a guitar...
by Mark McLean
Tue Sep 05, 2023 6:11 am
Forum: Jigs & Fixtures
Topic: Changing soundhole size
Replies: 2
Views: 16320

Re: Changing soundhole size

I need one of those!. I usually install a soundhole binding - just for aesthetic reasons. I can see that it is likely to be a better method than I have been using.
by Mark McLean
Mon Aug 28, 2023 6:01 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Pricilla TD18 build
Replies: 2
Views: 16893

Re: Pricilla TD18 build

Not tacky - just beautifully decorated. The rosewood looks sensational.
by Mark McLean
Sun Aug 06, 2023 10:18 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Help with OSMO PolyX
Replies: 6
Views: 14436

Re: Help with OSMO PolyX

Bob's result looks pretty good! I have also used Osmo hard wax oils on a couple of instruments. Method was much the same as Bob. Initial sanding through the grits to 400. I was using it on Blackwood and I did not pore-fill. I applied by hand with a pad (I use Swisspers brand makeup removal pads that...
by Mark McLean
Mon Jul 31, 2023 10:52 am
Forum: Tutorials
Topic: Mandolin Repair
Replies: 3
Views: 12390

Re: Mandolin Repair

Nice job on the mandolin Taffy. At first glance I thought “no way he can glue that break line back together”, so that grafted in piece was a clever idea. And “beefy” but also artistic.
by Mark McLean
Mon Jul 31, 2023 10:07 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Hi, introducing myself
Replies: 22
Views: 50275

Re: Hi, introducing myself

As I said earlier, for my first build I bought pre-bent sides from LMI because I didn’t yet have a bending iron. When I started number 2 I went to Gerard Gilet’s workshop where he also sold wood and tools. I bought an Ibex bending iron and got a few words of advice from Gerard about how to use it. I...
by Mark McLean
Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:25 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Hi, introducing myself
Replies: 22
Views: 50275

Re: Hi, introducing myself

Hi Amir I can add my recommendation for buying from Tim at Australian Tonewoods. He has a good reputation on this forum and I have got some good stuff from him in the past. That kit, incorporating something like a blackwood B&S set would be a good project. Other kit sellers like LMI, StewMac or Blue...
by Mark McLean
Wed Jul 12, 2023 9:19 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: The Queen of Hearts
Replies: 5
Views: 23868

Re: The Queen of Hearts

I love the whole concept, and that you have engaged so many other people with it also. Your 50 years is a nice thing to reflect on also. The world is quite a different place now and it is amazing to think that you knew each other way back then, and endured all that lies in between. A lovely instrume...
by Mark McLean
Sun Jun 18, 2023 8:52 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Triple 0 in Blackhearted Sassafras and Bunya Pine
Replies: 28
Views: 86391

Re: Triple 0 in Blackhearted Sassafras and Bunya Pine

It is all looking very good! The finish job is coming up very well. Are you going with shellac for the neck too?
by Mark McLean
Mon Jun 12, 2023 9:36 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Crack repair posssible?
Replies: 15
Views: 22151

Re: Crack repair posssible?

That is looking good. Different, but interesting. It is hard to know the perfect answer to reinforcement, but I think Martin’s advice sounds good. Have you made the neck yet? If not, a 3 or 5 piece neck with the same longitudinal stripes could be good?
by Mark McLean
Mon Jun 05, 2023 5:46 am
Forum: Anything Goes
Topic: Newbie to the forum
Replies: 3
Views: 9390

Re: Newbie to the forum

Hi Dave That inlay work is stunning. And your ebony guitar looks pretty sweet too. How much time is invested in something as complex as that fingerboard, or the headstock plate? I can’t imagine even drawing those designs, let alone cutting them in shell and inlaying it. Tell us a bit more about the ...
by Mark McLean
Sat Jun 03, 2023 10:25 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: 'OOO' finished at last.
Replies: 4
Views: 11672

Re: 'OOO' finished at last.

Hi Taffy. That 000 does look sensational.
Details like the headstock shape and binding, and the inlay - very classy!
Also looks like a pretty professional finishing routine - are you spraying it yourself?
cheers
Mark
by Mark McLean
Wed May 17, 2023 12:59 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Nut files
Replies: 10
Views: 14085

Re: Nut files

OK, if they cut fast, clean and accurately I will take that as a recommendation. Do they cut a V-shape or U-shape slot?
by Mark McLean
Mon May 15, 2023 4:56 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Another hollow electric
Replies: 9
Views: 14331

Re: Another hollow electric

Sensational looking guitar Mark.