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Mandocello Build Part1 "wood selection"

Starting a new Build series … I'm really exited about this one.I just selected the wood for it and I'm super exited to be using Torrefied Spruce for the Soundboard… Check out the video link as I show and describe all the parts.

 

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Mandocello Build Part 2. (Making jig and temaplates)

Part 2 of the Mandocello Build is up. This video shows how I make the Jig and Templates from the print.

 

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Mandocello Build Part3. ( blocks and sides)

3rd part of the Mandocello build is up. Making the blocks and bending the curly Maple sides.. Check it out!!

 

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Mandocello build Part 5, Carving the top

The latest Part in the Mandocello build is available. check it out on YouTube!

 

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Mandocello Build. Part 6

Just finished carving the Scroll, and editing the video in the Mandocello build!

 

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Mandocello Build Part 7. (Soundboard to Rim Glue up).

Here is the latest video in the Mandocello build serie! in this video i'm cutting out the apertures and prepping the edge of the rim for the soundboard to Rim glue up.

 

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Making a Virzi tone producer

So, after weighting the pro and cons I've made up my mind and will install a Virzi in my M'Cello. Although it will be my first time playing around with one, It is something I want to ,First, have in for the sound it produce, second to learn something new and experiment with it.. The wood used is Torrefied Sitka Spruce

 

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Mandocello Build Part8. Installing Virzi and Tone Bars.

I just added the latest build progress of the Mandocello build. In this one I'm adding tone bars, the Virzi and also making some tap tone in between steps to really hear the changes happening on the soundboard. Let me know what you think!

 

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Mandocello Build Part 9

Mandocello build Part 9 in the build series. So I've made some really good progress on the Neck and the Backboard this week. Check the Video link..

 

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Mandocello Build Part 9

Mandocello build Part 9 in the build series. So I've made some really good progress on the Neck and the Backboard this week. Check the Video link..

Hey Pop, Haven't heard it yet… still in the building stages and need to finish the neck, backboard and fretboard before I get to hear it.. A nyckelharpa would definitely be an interesting build but I don't find myself wanting to make one …. at this point in time anyway!...

Thanks for watching and your comment!

 

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Mandocello Build Part 10

I'm really glad this step is now behind me.. I must admit… I was very apprehensive about it! But I'm sure glad I took my time with it because the joint is perfect. check out the process here..

 

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Mandocello Build Part11 ( The Neck)

After shaping the peghead and the neck profile, drilling the holes for the tuners and gluing up the neck joint, The Mandocello really is starting to look like a musical instrument. latest video link:

 

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Mandocello build Part 12. ( Hand carving the backboard)

After a lot of hours the backboard is carved and dry fitted onto the Mandocello… Check out the hand carving process and different steps in this video…

 

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Mandocello build Part 13 (Backboard glueup & ebony points)

Latest video is out…In this video you can see the backboard tuning, glue up and ebony points installation.
http://www.hovingtoninstruments.com/today-in-the-shopblog

 

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Mandocello build Part 15. (Making & Glueing the fretboard)

Build Progress…
The fretboard is made and glued to the Mandocello… Check the link to the video.

http://www.hovingtoninstruments.com/today-in-the-shopblog

 

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Mandocello Build Part 17. The Bridge

The bridge is on and the Mandocello has been strung for almost 2 weeks now. Everything looks great and I am happy to report that 1st, I can enter the finishing stages right after the voicing is done & the binding added, and 2nd the M'cello full size blueprints should be available really soon!

 

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Mandocello build Part 18, Voicing the Instrument.

I really feel like today was a big milestone in the Mandocello build. A lot was dependant on going over this step… -Voicing- I needed it to be done in order to finalize the M'cello Blueprints, the get started on the binding of the soundboard and backboard and to enter the finishing stages.

But also a lot needed to be dialed in before I even started with the voicing itself, Nut spacing, action setup, and also monitor the soundboard under tension for 2 weeks.

I'm exited about this step being behind now but I'm even more exited about the sound of the Mandocello! Check out the video…
http://www.hovingtoninstruments.com/today-in-the-shopblog

 

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Installing the Binding on the Mandocello

I did take a little break on this build but at this point I am neering completion.. In this video you can see how the binding is installed around the scroll section of the instrument and other sections.

 

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Gibson style Mandocello Full build

over a year ago I started my florentine style Mandocello based on prints that I've presonnaly made. so to be accurate I've started this build when I started gathering information about this instrument, size, dimentions, scale length, pro and cons etc… so in reality, I've been working on this baby for over 4 years.

well last week I've finally did the final setup and call it a wrap. I've just finished the editing on the full build and i'm happy to share with you all here…

let me know your thoughts!

 

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Gibson style Mandocello Full build

over a year ago I started my florentine style Mandocello based on prints that I've presonnaly made. so to be accurate I've started this build when I started gathering information about this instrument, size, dimentions, scale length, pro and cons etc… so in reality, I've been working on this baby for over 4 years.

well last week I've finally did the final setup and call it a wrap. I've just finished the editing on the full build and i'm happy to share with you all here…

let me know your thoughts!

Hi Rick, the little soundboard on blocks is called a Virzi tone producer. Sitting under the bridge it gets into motion when a string is plucked. It adds partials to the overall sound. In a bluegrass setting it is not ideal as it is more mellow and not as bright, but in a orchestra ensemble it would definitely sound great. It was invented and patented by the Virzi brother's mostly in the violin family but was introduced in the Mandolin family when Lloyd loar was still at Gibson. Before the bluegrass really took off.

The mini router is an attachment for the Dremel you can find on stewmac website. It is used on archtops to cut the binding channel. the referring edge is narrow compared to a guitar Binding router jig Which make a better cut. I do use a Gramil to score the binding edge beforehand.

Thanks for your following and watching.