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Lawn Jockey - Posted - 08/18/2008: 04:45:32
I am having another custom Morris mandolin made. It is going to be an A-4 with Brazilian Rosewood back, rims, and a one piece Brazilian neck/headstock. The top is (hard) Western Red Cedar. Other specs include:
.080 Fretwire
Radiused Striped Ebony Fingerboard
Radiused Ebony Bridge
Schaller A Tuners (Gold)
James Tailpiece (Gold)
Bone Nut
Brazilain Rosewood Arm-Rest
Ebony Strap Pins
Tone Bar Bracing
Dovetail Neck Joint
Vintage Sunburst Top
Clear back, rims, and neck/headstock
Nitrocellulose Lacquer
It should be nice.....it should be a CANNON.......and there won't be ANY bluegrass played with it....LOL
So, here are the first three pics of the Brazilian I have chosen......I will post pics of the Striped Ebony.....and Western Red Cedar in time....(maybe a couple of weeks down the road yet).
The Brazilian is still at the supplier.....and have to be sent to Howard.....then I'll get the other pics up.
_________________________________________________________________________
Lawn Jockey
Scott is endorsed byHoward Morris Mandolins and John Pearse Strings.
BG Guitar Man - Posted - 08/18/2008: 04:55:54
I didn't know people build mandos in thier garages
-BG Man
Lawn Jockey - Posted - 08/18/2008: 05:01:51
quote:
Originally posted by BG Guitar Man
I didn't know people build mandos in thier garages
-BG Man
Thanks!
The photos you are currently viewing is at the supplier.....and has just been cut from the log. I'll update the thread when it arrives at the builder, probably later this week.
I can assure you that Howard doesn't build his mandolins in a "garage". If you had read the text directly under the photos you would have known that.
_________________________________________________________________________
Lawn JockeyScott is endorsed by
Howard Morris Mandolins and
John Pearse Strings.
Edited by - Lawn Jockey on 08/18/2008 05:04:17
Polson - Posted - 08/18/2008: 10:20:09
Gorgeous piece of Brazilian Rosewood Lawn Jockey. Can't wait to see it when its done! 
Once a Polson, always a Polson
desaljs - Posted - 08/18/2008: 11:17:44
Looks like nice wood! I really enjoyed the slide show too. Enjoy the build process, and keep us posted.
Jim D
dmiller - Posted - 08/18/2008: 12:50:09
I agree -- gorgeous piece of wood there. Thanks for the slide show too!
I take it you like A over F style, eh? 
dmiller - Posted - 08/18/2008: 13:06:44
Oh --- I have another question. I've never seen an armrest on a mando.
Is is comfortable? Does it affect the sound at all? Color me curious! 
Lawn Jockey - Posted - 08/18/2008: 13:18:52
Thanks guys for the replies.
It's pretty...but not *exactly* what I wanted....but it'll still sound the same and that's all that matters.
dmiller, I don't know if I have a preference as to A's or F's. I had both.....but alas...I can't afford the straphanger...LOL. To my ears I am unable to tell a huge difference in volume or tone between the two styles. I imagine the same would be true of a 2-point as well.
The oval soundhole of the A-4 (verses the F holes on the A-5) will provide a different timbre......and should fit nicely with what we do.
The armrest on the A-5 was the first I'd ever had on a mandolin. Howard included it as a surprise gift to me. It DOES affect tone in a positive way...by your arm not resting on the (relatively small) soundboard. Almost the same idea as the Tone Guard.......for mandolin, guitar, etc. It gets the back of the instrument away from your body...you get the picture I'm sure.
Now that I have *experienced* one....I'll never be without again. The difference to my ears is noticeable.
Thanks again......and I'll get the pics of the other billets up soon.
_________________________________________________________________________
Lawn Jockey
Scott is endorsed byHoward Morris Mandolins and John Pearse Strings.
Lawn Jockey - Posted - 08/18/2008: 18:39:54
dmiller, I briefly mentioned the "Tone Guard" above.....but to read more about it/them you can go here:
tone-gard.com/
They are made for acoustic guitar, mandolin, and other instruments as well. Some (well respected) mandolin and guitar players use them....I never have had the chance but would try it for sure.
I have submitted the above link in "Accessories" for future reference.
_________________________________________________________________________
Lawn Jockey
Scott is endorsed byHoward Morris Mandolins and John Pearse Strings.
Flatpicker - Posted - 08/23/2008: 10:45:08
Wow, that is some NICE wood!
Austin
What''s the easiest way to get a guitarist to stop playing? Put a sheet of music in front of him.
shawn - Posted - 08/31/2008: 13:59:03
heh heh heh, uhhh he said wood. heh
~shawn
"allo?", "did you say hello?", "nooo, I said allo, but it''s close enough."
