Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!

Subject: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Áine
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 03:18 PM

Dear Hubby and I went down to Waxahachie yesterday to see his folks, and I got my first look-see at the mandolin that Papaw is making for me! She's still in pieces and is a long way from being 'finished'; but, I'm just amazed at the beautiful work that Papaw's 80 year-old hands can still produce.

For my fellow mandolinquents here's a bit of the particulars: She's an F-style (Loar) and the body is made from a 150 year-old walnut tree (that's Waxahachie Walnut), the top is spruce, the neck is Indian Rosewood (purchased years ago and stuck away somewhere in Papaw's carpenter shop), ivroid binding, ebony fretboard and gold hardware.

Papaw's going to do a sunburst finish on the top; but, he promised that I'd still be able to see the fantastic grain of the old walnut on the back.

Sounds purty, don't she!?!

All the best, Áine

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Sorcha
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 04:18 PM

Sounds wunnerful, Aine! Do let us know her name!

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Wesley S
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 04:30 PM

It sounds like a family heirloom already. I'll want to have a look-see when she's finished.

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Big Mick
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 04:33 PM

I love ya, Sorch, but Áine can't do that. The way of our people is to give our instruments a secret name. I guess an Bandia na Gaeil could give it two names, one for public use and the secret name.

Áine, it sounds wonderful! I can't wait to see the pictures. And made by daideo Papaw just makes it so spayshul!!!

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 04:33 PM

Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!...

Whew! I was scared there for a minnit! Relieved to see you will remain among humankind, if not exactly of humankind, angel!

:~)

So.... are you going to help in the finishing, have a hand in her polishing?

~S~

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Sorcha
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 04:34 PM

Well, of course, Mick, but she has to be born first!

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Áine
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 05:40 PM

Thanks for all the replies, dear ones! I do have a nickname for my lil' one, 'Mandol-anne'; but, her 'real' name will have to wait until she's 'born'.

Papaw promised that he'd take pictures of her, so I'll put them up when I get them.

And I just want to assure all the tree-huggers out there that the old walnut tree was not an intentional victim of violence -- it was split in two by a lightnin' strike during the last thunderstorm, and had to be cut down.

All the best, Áine

(P.S. And Wesley, you bet you can take her for a 'spin' when I bring her home!)

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Micca
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 05:52 PM

Áine, you will HAVE to record you playing "Mandolin Angels" on it Just for me!!!!!!

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Áine
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 06:32 PM

Dear Micca,

You've got a deal, ol' son ;-)

All the best, Áine

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Leadfingers
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 07:00 PM

Looking forward to the Piccies when she is finished , and hope she plays as well as she ought to from the description .

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Amos
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 08:33 PM

Yeehaw, Tex!! I can't wait to hear some of those golden chuines flowing off that thing!!

A

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Mooh
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 11:33 PM

Hey girl, haven't heard from you in a while!

I'm waiting on a new one too, a kind of octave-mandolin-slash-guitar hybrid. It'll be useful in the celtoidish stuff and with the fiddle guitar duo.

Hope you like the new one, take some pictures for us.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Amos
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 11:43 PM

Maybe it'll inspire you to come back to Song Challenge Inspirations?

A

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 11:59 PM

She's going to be too busy playing that thing...:-) Sounds plumb wunnerful, Áinedarlin'...can't wait to see the piccies.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Willie-O
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 08:46 AM

Boy, we can use some good news. This is it.

Just one question.

Who the heck's Papaw???

fellow 8-string enthusiast
Willie-O

did I ever tell you I got my mandolin in Texas? Its provenance is a lot less impressive than that of your new baby though.

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: jeffp
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 09:25 AM

Walnut from a lightning-struck tree? Sounds like there will be great power in that instrument. And the rosewood was hiding in the shop waiting for the perfect use to come along. I know you will treasure it, as its value will be greater than can be told.

Jeff

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Áine
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 09:27 AM

Good mornin' ya'll ;-)

Willie-O, 'Papaw' is Dear Hubby's daddy. 'Papaw' is the family name for grandfather. Where in Texas did you get your mandolin?

And hey, Mooh, I want to see this 'thang' you're going to get! I'll trade ya pics, OK?

All the best, Áine

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Amos
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 09:45 AM

We want pics!!


A

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 09:46 AM

Why do I suspect you would treasure it even if Papaw made it from used packing crates and recycled fenceposts? All kidding aside - it does sound like you have an instant family heirloom in the making.

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Willie-O
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 10:54 AM

Kerrville Folk Festival, 1989. Cost me $85 so you know it's a good'un.

Famous name, too:

Bently.

OK, not famous for their mandolins, as such...

not like Papaw.

W-O

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Wesley S
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 11:46 AM

Speaking of trees hit by lightning - did you ever see the robert Redford movie called "The Natural" - his bat was made from a tree hit by lightning.

And say - if Papaw can make one mandolin - why can't he make two ?? I'll take the runt of the litter !!

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Áine
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 01:28 PM

MMario - Why do I suspect you would treasure it even if Papaw made it from used packing crates and recycled fenceposts? -- You betcha boots! Papaw made his first mandolin for his little brother about seventy years ago. He didn't have anything to use but an old cigar box and the end of an old broomstick. Talk about resourceful! ;-) Uncle Billy Jo, his little brother, stills plays mandolin like a house afire, too.

Wesley -- Get in line, hun! Uncle Billy Jo is 'supervising' the making of Mandol-anne and has already asked Papaw to make him one. I'll ask Papaw if he wants to go into the business, tho. Now, don't be surprised if he says yes. I took Lil Mo down there a few weeks ago and let him play her. He had a blast, and thought she sounded really sweet. Who knows, Lil Mo might indeed been the source of his inspiration, which makes yourself a very important part of the circle!

And Willie-O -- Kerrville, you lucky dog! So tell me, does the $85 mando still play? And I think 'Bently' has a right classy ring to it!

All the best, Áine

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Willie-O
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 01:39 PM

It's been my main 8-string ever since I got it. Weatherproof and bulletproof, plays easy and has the ringingest plywood-top-that-looks-solid you'll ever find. A-50 style. (A-shape with f-holes)

However, I would like to get a vintage Gibson A...maybe when my Martin sells.

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Mooh
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 11:30 PM

Aine...Sure thing, as soon as there are pictures to trade! It'll be similar to the sort of instrument which James Fagan (with Nancy Kerr) plays. I've chosen the woods, walnut back and sides, cedar top, ebony, purpleheart, maple elsewhere. Most measurements are decided, and it is the next one on the builder's schedule. I need another toy.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Áine
Date: 27 Apr 04 - 03:12 PM

Just thought I'd give all those interested an update on Mandolanne -- I should be holding her in my arms on May 9th (Mothers Day). I may even have some pics to share. I did get to see her a couple of weeks ago, and she feels perfect. Papaw had glued all her pretty bits and pieces together; but, she still had a lot of work to be done. Can't wait . . . trying to think of anything else but her . . .

All the best, Áine

(And Mick, she told me her real name when I held her for the first time, and it's lovely)

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Amos
Date: 27 Apr 04 - 03:15 PM

Yeehaw, gal! You are getting the best to get to be the best wit'!! Way ta go. Orful happy for ya!


A

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Áine
Date: 07 May 04 - 06:32 PM

Just a little less than two days to go until I see Mandolanne with all her bits and bobs on, all dressed up and ready to party . . . I even learned a bluegrass tune (Cherokee Shuffle) to play for Papaw on Sunday. 'Course, I don't play it the way Uncle Billy Jo would, but, I can't have the mandolin until I play my party piece good and loud, according to Papaw. ;-)

Good news is, I got an early birthday prezzie from Dear Hubby; a new cell phone that takes pictures! So, I'll be able to take a couple of photos with my new baby and show ya'll what she looks like on Sunday night.

Yee-haw! All the best, Áine

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Amos
Date: 07 May 04 - 07:51 PM

Awwwright!! Having heard that there Cherokee Shuffle I think Papaw is in for a fine pleasant surprise!

A

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: MMario
Date: 08 May 04 - 12:03 AM

yee-haw! baby instrument pictures - almost as good as REAL baby pictures...

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Áine
Date: 10 May 04 - 06:39 PM

Drum roll . . . trumpets . . . beams of light shooting up into the darkened sky . . . and fireworks (of course!):

And here she is!

Hopefully, I've got the pictures in the correct order, starting with the stump she came from ;-)

Gotta say, folks, it doesn't get any better than this. The action is unbelievable. She sounds wonderful now, and I can't wait until she opens up with a little encouragement and time (like all females, hehehe). We passed her around the dinner table and everybody got to say 'Howdy!' to Mandolanne. I brought three pics with me down to Waxahachie, not knowing which one she would be suited to. Ended up all three of 'em sounded great. You can play anything on her; bluegrass, swing, jazz, ragtime, romantic italian stuff, and, of course, she does the jigs and reels right proud.

After he brought her out to me, I hugged Papaw so hard that I made his hearing aid squeal! And I played and played and played -- this being quite surprising to myself, considering I have petrifyingly terrible stagefright. I just held her and forgot about everything and everybody. Dear Hubby had to pry her out of my hands so I'd eat supper.

Papaw's already set up for starting on the next one, that'll be for his little brother, Billy Jo. And Wesley, if you want him to make you one, he's up for it ;-)

I've got some more pictures being developed, so I'll share them later this week. I'll stop bubbling over now, and go rub my sore fingers with ambesol, so I can keep on playing.

All the best from me, still in mandolin heaven, Áine

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Micca
Date: 10 May 04 - 07:24 PM

Áine, She is Beautiful!!!!! and I bet she sounds real good!!! play "Mandolin Angels" on her for me? and send me the MP3? Please???

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Amos
Date: 10 May 04 - 07:49 PM

Looks divine and sounds it, too!! What a man ol' Papaw is, huh?? I want a copy of that MP3 too!!    An' I'll send ya backup licks if you like!


A

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Áine
Date: 10 May 04 - 08:11 PM

Sure thing, guys ;-) This'll be fun, I haven't played that tune in a while. It'll be interesting to see what it sounds like on Mandolanne.

All the best, Áine

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Dharmabum
Date: 10 May 04 - 08:12 PM

Thanks Aine,I really enjoyed those pics.
What a beauty!

DB.

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Allan C.
Date: 10 May 04 - 08:22 PM

Too cool, Áine! your Papaw's very much an artist. I love your step-by-step photos. I can almost smell the wood. The pictures almost make me want to try making something like that! Wow!

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Amos
Date: 10 May 04 - 08:50 PM

Wodda beeeyooooooteeeeful set of piictures, oh TGG!! :>))

A

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: GUEST,T-Tone
Date: 10 May 04 - 11:44 PM

What a lovely thing. Aine, the Walnut will give your mandolin fabulous sustain. My Martin has sides and back of Walnut and it sustains like an electric guitar. It's an under used wood in instrument making and I don't know why exactly.

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Mooh
Date: 10 May 04 - 11:52 PM

That's sweet! You're so lucky! Named it yet?

(I'll be sending you some pictures soon...)

Peace, Mooh (Mike).

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Áine
Date: 11 May 04 - 10:27 AM

You're so right about the sustain of the walnut, T-Tone. I played one piece for Papaw where I end with a tremelo on the 14th fret on the high E string -- Wow. It stunned us both.

And I'm so happy with the whole tone of Mandolanne. She's warm and bright in all the right places. And I can't say enough about the action; it's perfect. Papaw put some GHS medium bronze strings on her, and I'm used to the light Thomastik strings on my other two mandos. As much as I've played her in the last two days, I have yet to get that nagging ache in my fret hand that I would be normally be feeling from my other mandolins. Yes, there's a general tiredness in my left hand; but, I'm sure that's from playing brand new and thicker strings combined with me not being able to put her down ;-)

And Mooh, I'll be looking for your pictures. From the way you described it earlier, I'm sure it'll be a beauty!

Well, I've got to go and wash the dishes and dry the clothes that I ignored completely yesterday (hahahaha). But, I'm timing myself so I won't be parted from Mandolanne for too long. ;-)

All the best, Áine

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: jeffp
Date: 11 May 04 - 10:39 AM

Absolutely gorgeous!!!!

Thanks for sharing with us.

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Áine
Date: 12 May 04 - 10:48 AM

Just in case you're not completely bored with my giddiness about Mandolanne, I put some pictures up today -- and I'm even in some of them ;-) So, if you want to see me sitting on a log having a really good time, click here.

Thanks to everyone for letting me share this with you.

All the best, Áine

(And Mooh, I'm still expecting to see your pictures soon!)

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 13 May 04 - 01:39 AM

Áine, Mandolanne is one beautiful piece of work. Papaw is evidently a master crafstman.
I wish you both many happy playing years together.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Áine
Date: 13 May 04 - 08:57 AM

Thank you, Seamus. Mandolanne is already starting to open up, and boy, does she have a beautiful voice! I can only anticipate the 'singing' she'll do for the rest of my life ;-)

All the best, Áine

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Wesley S
Date: 13 May 04 - 02:29 PM

I can already imagine your poor Mid-Mo mandolin sitting over in the corner being ignored - feeling like a woman who's ex-husband just got a new trophy wife - wondering if she'll ever get picked up and played again. Feeling slighted because now you spend all of your time with HER - just because she has more curves in all the right places. How sad.

Seriously - has your Papaw made any musical instruments before ? Is this his first ? Do you plan to post these pictures over at the mandolin cafe ? She's a beauty - I hope we have a chance to swap licks real soon. I'm looking forward to hearing her sing. It's great that you have such a pictorial history of your mandolin - from stump to finished instrument. Great job Papaw !

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 May 04 - 02:38 PM

Crap! (Just saw pix) Now she'll NEVER pay the kind of attention she used to, to the Song Challenges!

Oh well, I guess we gotta let her go.....

~Susan

Subject: RE: Papaw's Making Me A Mandolin!
From: Áine
Date: 13 May 04 - 06:40 PM

Hey Wesley,

Only the Fender has been relegated to her case (at least for a little while). Lil' Mo is still here, sitting beside her new sister, and getting along just fine ;-) I'll PM you about getting together, OK?

And Susan, I will not ignore my beloved Song Challenge!s . . . in fact, here is the newest one!

Thanks for sharing the fun with me, folks. ;-)

All the best, Áine