SpudHuskerMando - Posted - 07/13/2014:  19:35:08

Yes, the question most members of a site/forum dread from a new member: what do you recommend?   However!  - I would like to get your recommendations on a builder or luthier who would be willing to put together a mandolin that is intentionally made to look cheap/rough/ugly or flat out undesirable. I don't want the smoothly finished wood, the gloss (or even satin) finish, or anything to look even remotely classy or fancy on this. I will leave that as a starting point, and look forward to your replies!

Texasbanjo - Posted - 07/14/2014:  05:23:38

I doubt that any luthier would want to produce a mando like that, not and put their name on it anyway.  It would ruin their reputation.

SpudHuskerMando - Posted - 07/14/2014:  22:56:59

quote:

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Originally posted by Texasbanjo

 

I doubt that any luthier would want to produce a mando like that, not and put their name on it anyway.  It would ruin their reputation.

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Let me clarify a bit - this would be more of a "functional showpiece" than a great sounding banjo that looks bad. In essence, it will (should) truly be playable and sound good, but the defining feature(s) of it will be somewhat off-putting for the so-called true mando players. In short, it will be clearly obvious that it was intentionally made that way, and should not deter anyone from putting their name on it. Without going into further details, this is not something that would be ignored by most people; if nothing else, they should be proud to have put together such an instrument. 

CCooke - Posted - 07/15/2014:  07:56:08

Not sure if maybe this is what you are looking for. Washburn has some mandolins they recently came out with that have a distressed finish. They have a darker brown color and non glossy finish to give it a kind of aged look. The metal on the tailpiece and tuners also have an aged patina look to them. The binding is pretty chunky and looks a little sloppy. They even take an awl to put little dents and groves in it to add some extra character. Kind of like pre worn jeans, some people love them and other people look at them and ask why? Personally, I like the looks of them. 

washburn.com/products/bluegras...8SWK.html

Ben Venuti - Posted - 07/15/2014:  12:54:12

Buy a mandolin in the white-- and without binding, at least no plastic, wood binding might work. Then do a Shou- sugi- ban finish on it. pursuingwabi.com/2011/05/02/tr...ban-burn/
I have done it before --not on a musical instrument but on some woodworking projects that were intended to appear authentic Japanese style. Be sure to keep something to call 911 handy. . Don't know if it will improve or ruin the tone -------

Kevin Campbell - Posted - 07/15/2014:  13:37:12

I love the looks of that Washburn at the link.

SteveZ - Posted - 07/15/2014:  17:45:02

For the OP:  Is the goal to have a playable eyesore or something truly unique that does not look like the very-common sunburst instrument?  Something that has "different" sound hole(s) which aren't the routine f-hole or oval hole? In other world, a very good looking instrument which is definitely a one-of-a-kind?

Edited by - SteveZ on 07/15/2014 17:45:37

SpudHuskerMando - Posted - 07/15/2014:  21:00:37

quote:

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Originally posted by CCooke

 

Not sure if maybe this is what you are looking for. Washburn has some mandolins they recently came out with that have a distressed finish. They have a darker brown color and non glossy finish to give it a kind of aged look. The metal on the tailpiece and tuners also have an aged patina look to them. The binding is pretty chunky and looks a little sloppy. They even take an awl to put little dents and groves in it to add some extra character. Kind of like pre worn jeans, some people love them and other people look at them and ask why? Personally, I like the looks of them. 

 

washburn.com/products/bluegras...8SWK.html

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No, not what I'm looking for, but that thing looks pretty awesome in itself! Thanks for the heads-up and the link... I know just the person to send it to.

SpudHuskerMando - Posted - 07/15/2014:  21:03:19

quote:

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Originally posted by Ben Venuti

 

Buy a mandolin in the white-- and without binding, at least no plastic, wood binding might work. Then do a Shou- sugi- ban finish on it. pursuingwabi.com/2011/05/02/tr...ban-burn/

I have done it before --not on a musical instrument but on some woodworking projects that were intended to appear authentic Japanese style. Be sure to keep something to call 911 handy. . Don't know if it will improve or ruin the tone -------

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This is a spectacular idea!  Depending on the route I ultimately take, I may have to sacrifice (inadvertently?) a very inexpensive piece to get the timing down right.

SpudHuskerMando - Posted - 07/15/2014:  21:10:42

quote:

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Originally posted by SteveZ

 

For the OP:  Is the goal to have a playable eyesore or something truly unique that does not look like the very-common sunburst instrument?  Something that has "different" sound hole(s) which aren't the routine f-hole or oval hole? In other world, a very good looking instrument which is definitely a one-of-a-kind?

 

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Steve - Yes, playable eyesore that does not look like any number or descriptions of "common" (normal??) looking instruements. Not necessarily different sound holes, but that is something I had not even considered. It would be nice to find someone who would be willing to take on the task of making the characteristic "F" scroll into something not so nice...like what an end of a stick would look like after being broken...you know, the rough, jaggedy, multiple points type...and that would be a good starting point. I know that with some of my own wood projects, I have taken large link chains and whipped the wood so it has rough indentations and some added character to it...I think something similar on a smaller scale could easily be done.

SteveZ - Posted - 07/16/2014:  05:41:42

Then the solution is simple - buy a $50 Rogue, take the strings and bridge off, run the Rogue through the dishwasher, take a keyhole saw and "redesign" the f-holes, take a Brillo pad over the front-back-neck-sides, heat up a soldering iron and burn in any design/symbol of your choice anywhere on the instrument, restring and set up, then play.

Believe it ir not, this is a serious suggestion. If the goal is something totally unique to meet a vision, then no one else's imagination will ever suffice. For a $50 investment and a little elbow grease you can create whatever you want. Will like to see photos of the result, along with a sound sample.

Ben Venuti - Posted - 07/16/2014:  11:40:40

I'd buy a kit and try out the Yagi Sugi. I don't know how well these things burn!

SpudHuskerMando - Posted - 07/16/2014:  20:07:55

quote:

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Originally posted by SteveZ

 

Then the solution is simple - buy a $50 Rogue, take the strings and bridge off, run the Rogue through the dishwasher, take a keyhole saw and "redesign" the f-holes, take a Brillo pad over the front-back-neck-sides, heat up a soldering iron and burn in any design/symbol of your choice anywhere on the instrument, restring and set up, then play.



Believe it ir not, this is a serious suggestion. If the goal is something totally unique to meet a vision, then no one else's imagination will ever suffice. For a $50 investment and a little elbow grease you can create whatever you want. Will like to see photos of the result, along with a sound sample.

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I didn't take it as anything but a serious suggestion! However, the one definite characteristic I would like is the broken stick look where the scroll should be...and then beyond that it is wide open.

As to the dishwasher, I know you're not supposed to put wooden utensils in there, but to what purpose would doing this intentionally result in? Or what is it you are going after with this suggestion??

SpudHuskerMando - Posted - 07/16/2014:  20:08:46

quote:

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Originally posted by Ben Venuti

 

I'd buy a kit and try out the Yagi Sugi. I don't know how well these things burn!

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It'd be just my luck that it'd go up in flames like cardboard!

Ben Venuti - Posted - 07/16/2014:  20:22:57

It might at that but then throw it in the dishwasher! I think with a bunch of practice for technique and a blow torch you could probably do a burned finish on a mandolin but the process would definitely change dimensions and possibly cause glue to release. If from a kit you could pre-burn then do graduations,tone bars and assembly after the fact. NASA probably has a heat resistant glue for building space shuttles and such. Frank Wakefield baked his Lore signed F5 in the oven, he thought it would be made to sound better, I don't know if this was before or after he painted it red!

SpudHuskerMando - Posted - 07/18/2014:  22:52:27

quote:

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Originally posted by Ben Venuti

 

It might at that but then throw it in the dishwasher! I think with a bunch of practice for technique and a blow torch you could probably do a burned finish on a mandolin but the process would definitely change dimensions and possibly cause glue to release. If from a kit you could pre-burn then do graduations,tone bars and assembly after the fact. NASA probably has a heat resistant glue for building space shuttles and such. Frank Wakefield baked his Lore signed F5 in the oven, he thought it would be made to sound better, I don't know if this was before or after he painted it red!

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The burnt finish is definitely a great idea! As to Frank...well, that's Frank! And he baked it before painting it red.

SpudHuskerMando - Posted - 07/18/2014:  22:55:15

I know it has been a really short time since I originally posted this topic, but I'm sure the is SOMEONE, somewhere who could help me come up with a way to get a rough look out of the "scroll" area...

Once that is found, the burning, etc are wide open!

SteveZ - Posted - 07/19/2014:  16:28:14

The dishwasher beats putting it in the clothes drier....

The point is (and the dishwasher was a bit "overboard") that you can distress, carve, burn, chomp or grind a $50 special to get the "apocalypse" look rather than expect one to arrive which meets a Dante-esq dream. As a DIY, one can go as far as one wants, even if it us over the limit.

SpudHuskerMando - Posted - 07/29/2014:  00:27:29

There was a luthier/builder I saw on here (quite a while ago, and no bookmark) who had a number of "out of character" mandolins that were done up in some pretty interesting and wacky colors...they seemed to be showing all kinds of greens, purples, blues, yellows, and even reds on the home page. Does anyone know who that might be??