Gidgee

[peter.coombe]

Anyone used Gidgee for back and sides? I have just strung up a flat top mandolin with ringed Gidgee back and sides and it is the best sounding flat top mandolin I have made. 1hr after putting the strings on it beat what is now the second best. When I started this mandolin I said I would never use Gidgee again, the back join was a nightmare, a blade would not go near it without tearout. However, have now changed my mind. Looks stunning and the sound is exceptional. I knew it would sound different because the back and sides were so heavy, but this was a surprise. No pictures yet, too new. Pictures later.

[demonx]

I started this Gidgee body on my Xmas break and it’s been put aside since. I should probably get back to it!

Only drama I had with the Gidgee was it chipping when I routed the binding recess. I also had on another guitar a Gidgee fingerboard shrink on me, it’s from a reputable supplier so should’ve been completely dry. I put that guitar aside for several months to see how/if it was going to move and it seems ok.

[WJ Guitars]

When routing for the bindings did you try using tape on the back to minimise chipping (John Hall, 'Blue Creek Guitar' method for difficult wood)? Did you have any issues bending the sides and what was the temperature applied for bending?

I am considering purchasing a Gidgee back and sides set to build a steel string guitar with a soft cutaway. It appears to be a difficult wood to work with and likely to blunt your tools easily. I expect keeping you tools sharp and using sanding methods are the way to work with Gidgee.

Regards
Wayne

[demonx]

I never use tape like that so that’d be a no.

As far as blunting your bits, that’s a firm yes. It’s an absolute bitch to resaw as well. Blade goes wherever you don’t want it to. You’ll be sawing straight one second and then it’ll just kick off on an angle. Tough heavy stufff.

[Trevor Gore]

Anyone used Gidgee for back and sides?

For guitars, yes, a couple of times. Here's one. The other one looked much the same, but I left out the sap wood. Hard to bend the figured wood without leaving flats in it and very dense at ~1300kg/m^3. The straight grained wood planes fine, but the figured wood is pretty much sanding only. It won't even scrape very well. Very hard to male a live back guitar out of gidgee.

[56nortondomy]

I've used it on a uke (posting.php?mode=reply&f=1&t=8173 ) with a cutaway, I never really had any issues with it, I also have a guitar set here which i'll be using on a SS when I get a chance.
Wayne

[56nortondomy]

Try again. viewtopic.php?f=25&t=7327
I think it's working this time.
Wayne

[peter.coombe]

Finally some pictures of the mandolin.

[Jim]

King Billy Pine top Peter?

[peter.coombe]

No it is a Red Spruce top.

[Mark McLean]

It does look great! And you are really pleased with how it sounds - so an all round winner. We will look with interest at whether you jump into doing another one, given the difficulties.

[peter.coombe]

Well it sold on Tuesday to the first person apart from me to play it, so I have started work on another one. I have enough Gidgee for 2 more.

[Gazm]

Better late than never to ask, What did you use for kerfing material on this lil beauty please Peter?

Gaz

[peter.coombe]

What did you use for kerfing material on this lil beauty please Peter?

King Billy Pine.