YES I do, and I was more excited to hear that Jerry worked on a Lloyd Loar Gibson which is probably equivalent of being sent a Stradivari violin. That just tells you what that person thought of Jerry's work. A Llyod Loar is the Stradivari of the mandolin world. A good example is worth well over 200k ( I'm pretty sure of that). In 2011 one was valued at 175K and I think these instruments went up and up. Gibson would have loved to have Jerry in Kalamazoo with them. No doubt about it.!!
Well I have finally found something retirement is good for. I now have the time to watch every video you put out, and then read all the comments. I'm liking this. This is an interesting video for me, I am anxious for the next one. I have been in awe of your talents since you repaired my Grandfathers fiddle, and plugged the holes in my old O18 Martin guitar, over 30 years ago.
That's what I'm talking about. Real craftsmanship by hand from the best materials available and an instrument you will keep the rest of your life. If you think about it it's the cheapest way to go. Buy once keep for life
Hey Jerry, I just read that you're putting a guard on that sander!!!! I thank you!! My teeth thank you!! All of us safety nuts thank you. Can't wait to watch the next installment.
Jerry - it is a real pleasure to watch and listen as you demonstrate the old ways of hand crafting an instrument. It is lovely to see a mandolin come to life in each incremental step. I particularly loved that you trusted your hands to locate irregularities and to determine basic symmetry. People who work with wood understand that your eyes will guide but it is your finger tips that truly tell you what's going on.
A couple times you said, "Not bragging. . ." I say when you're making something by hand as fine as your product, brag it up, loud and clear, as long as people will listen. I know, I know. . . Ain't gonna happen. It's just the way you do it. Glad to see there is still an artisan doing it the right way and obviously loving the entire process.
Jerry, I sure enjoy watching you work at 'high speed' while listening to the great music. Having followed you for quite a while, I understand most of what you are doing. When Jerry's on it's chill time for me! Just love your channel.
Jerry, Another fine job on the video brother! I can't tell you how much satisfaction I am getting watching my very own Rosa Mandolin come to life! I can't wait to come back to Missouri either. I'll be counting down waiting on the next episode. I'm very happy I commissioned you to do the build. Tell the wife we said Hello!
Robert Barnum thank you very much my friend. I would have had the video out sooner hope however we spent most of Sunday in the emergency room with Sue. Her horse trampled her from behind. It knocked her down and stepped on her hand I guess. Her fingers were cut pretty badly. No broken bones just bruises and a couple of cuts. She's doing fine now.
HI Jerry thanks for another great video. I love the way you and Randy are straight no nonsense in your approach to the project. Making sure everyone will understand the methods used, the difficulties one may encounter and the your ways of overcoming them. A very complete insight into everything you are doing. One other thing that stands out in both of you, is the passion you have for your work.
Thanks Jerry, for another high caliber video of your beautiful technique! I so appreciate people like you sharing (most) of your secrets because it's really mentoring anyone out there who cares to watch. My prayer is, that in an age where so many talented folks like you don't have a son or daughter that is following in dads' footsteps, the years of trial and error and perfecting of a trade are not lost, but instead inspire other virtual sons and daughters to learn and follow. Thanks Jerry for teaching all of us!! LarryS
Yes I do also Get excited when I get notifications from Rosa string works. have you ever wondered by people send Jerry stuff. Because they are grateful for the time and effort Jerry puts out on his videos that we all learn something new every time we watch. God bless those who blesses others. This is my opinion.
those scrapers remind me of the old days I used to use a piece of glass to scrape the back of necks to get the profile down to where I wanted it, an old luthier showed me this and I still do it when shaping neck profiles. good work brother and no doubt time consuming.
Lovin this build Mr. Jerry! I don't know if you have made a video about it or not, if not, I would love to hear the story about how your interest in making music began, and how you ended up becoming a Luthier. I've seen the video of you talking about how you found and purchased your farm, but not about your musical journey. I think it would make an awesome video. Thank ya sir.
Has anyone ever made a mandolin using neck thru body and hollow edges similar to a Gibson ES 335 and use a pickup? I find your videos very relaxing. Glad to see you do an instrument from scratch.
I had almost repeated my favorite high school track coach quote"whoulda, coulda, shoulda." but now you did. you are a true champion. Glad a true fan sent you a new sanding belt.
I agree that you are fair with your prices Mr. Rosa, the materials alone are costly and with work and time a good quality instrument can be considered as a work of art. I remeber a few years ago one of my contemporarys made a viola modled after a 1700s italian Testore, it was a beautiful instrument so much so I considered owning it but that idea went right out the window when he told me he wanted $18,000 for it. Bottem line you pay for quality as well as art and you are no exception.
It is fantastic to watch your painstaking work on the mandolins you build.I wonder if in your mind (I can already guess your answer) you have ever executed a "perfect" build? To the rest of us they are immaculate pieces of craftsmanship...thank you for sharing it.
Les Stoddart I guess it's all on how you define perfect. I've been pretty pleased with every instrument I've built especially in those last 15 years or so. Thank you very much for watching.
Thanks for the reply. You're the quality control, so I know that none would leave the workshop unless you were satisfied with the build. Out of interest, how many mandolins have you built (approximately), Jerry?
Another great video. I always appreciate the extreme care and painstaking detail you put into your work...it must come from a "love" of the instruments!! I enjoyed your story about the library...it is evident in your work that you learned from the masters...you are a true artisan and superior craftsman!! And BTW, congrats on over 1 million views to your channel!!
No thanks necessary. I really enjoy watching and learning. I'll never attempt to do that but it sure is nice to know right across the big river I can have it done.
This is a tremendous amount of work, yet fabulously done. You always seem to amaze me. Also, I really enjoy the music in the background and I should've said this before I love the intro. BTW this music is not my cup of tea, but again I do enjoy yours as well or as much as I also enjoy Randy's. Looking forward to the rest of the build. 👍🏻👍🏻
I get what you are saying here about people complaining about the prices you charge and how the cost of materials drives the price. I've had people do the same to me when they have offered to purchase something I created by hand and offer less than the cost of materials. (I even had one person tell me that I should be grateful to sell to her at less than what it cost to make it with the reasoning that I will get my product "out there" and she stormed off in a huff when I told her I wasn't doing it to lose money.) Unfortunately, here in the States we have been spoiled by an abundance of cheap disposable foreign goods created in high capacity sweatshops and that has led to a depreciation of the skill it takes to create a quality product from raw materials. You are a craftsperson. And the irony is that even when you are repairing an instrument, you routinely under-report the hours you work on it when it goes long. And still they carp. You do phenomenal work and are worth every cent.
Great tips on sharpening and burnishing scrapers. I thought I was the only one who used a peice of tool steel from a valvestem for a burnishing tool lol I wanted to thank you for taking the time to answer my question about your little drum sander on the part one video of this mando build. I wanna build my self one. I had a shop fire a couple years ago and lost pret’damnnear all my tools. Good friend of mine who used to play guitar for wants me to build him a chambered body mando for playing live,sorta like a godin multiac type mando. Never gone down that path before so I’m gonna be learning as I go lol thanks again mr.jerry. Btw Jerry,as to your prices,personally I think your work is worth quite a bit more than you charge. One of these days Im gonna have you build me one. I’d love to have a 20s loyd Loar,but that’s out of my price range,and honestly it would be like my 1904 martin. Too valuable and fragile to really play.
Awesome - I learned a lot. The gauze surprised me. If I was any more than a hack on mando I'd definitely order a Rosa. I do have a 1971 Framus that has a bolt-on neck and no cutaway - it's shaped like a little guitar with a single Framus "F" hole (looks more like a swish). Takes ball-end strings that are a pain to find - I've been going to change the tailpiece and just never get to it.
That's the way the July 1923 snakeheads top I had was; very tight in the middle approaching medium grain towards the edges. It makes sense for the loss of sound energy. I also like a wider top to make the instrument loud and mellow. You could build with softer wood if you want easier; a wide grain Sitka and Black Walnut make for dark and mellow tones with a crisp response and more bass. Sell a few like that and you could put together a CNC for under 10K.
I don't think I've shown that. It's not real spectacular. I just use a whetstone with oil similar to the way I sharpened the scraper. Thank you very much for watching.
Zekuna actually you'd probably be disappointed. Most of the ones I've kept are the early ones and they're not that great looking. Thank you very much for watching.
françois Madeuf yes sir they're $540 a set. They're Waverly tuning keys. They have real pearl buttons. And are gold plated. Thank you for watching. Merry Christmas.
Jerry. I agree you don't need a CNC machine. Your work is A class without one. That was very evident by the work you did on my old violin. So don't change. Why change perfection? P.W.
I had to come back and watch this video again. I hope you don't mind. It's an amazing awesome video. How many instruments have you made over the years? Just wondering. If you don't answer. I will understand. Great video thanks for sharing your thoughts and video.
Thomas Tommy I really appreciate you watching it again. I'd have to look it up I have it written down. My guess is I'm in the low 40s. Thank you again for watching.
A thousand questions: what is the height of your bench and how tall are you? How much camber do you put on your planes? Will you sell plans for this instrument? Are your planes all flat bottomed? Thanks, Bill in MN.
Are any of these acoustical instruments made with a heat formed wood backplate and frontplate? Would it make a difference in the sound? It seems that forming would be more likely to carry the wood grain clear across the plate, rather than shortening the grain by carving. Maybe that would not be desired.
Hi Jerry Ur videos are just an education!! I have recommended ur output to every instrument maker and repairer I come across, heres my question: What do u prefer makin guitars or mandolin?
Jason Smith I suppose I prefer to build mandolins. That's probably just because I'm mostly a mandolin player. Building guitars is fun too. And I also like building fiddles. Thank you very much for watching.
Wow Jerry, that was really great. I call this old world craftsmanship. You really do a fine job and actually, in my opinion, anyone that doesn't understand how much a hand-built instrument by a professional builder, himself, shouldn't be asking about prices. That person should have a good idea what that instrument will cost. I also really enjoyed the gauze trick, I hadn't seen that before and it's a great way to reinforce an opening. That was really nice to see and I will certainly remember that. I'm curious, other than the Loar, have you ever seen gauze used that way before?
Jerry, I wonder why you didn't trim the tone bars to fit with a piece of sandpaper...like you do with a bridge. I've not done it either way, thus the question. My Adirondack spruce blank is calling to me, so I'll be there soon.
You must have spent a lot of time honing your skills. Where do you find those finger planes? Thank you for sharing some of your knowledge. I put one of your deer saddles and use the ghs silk and steel strings on my Ratliff mandolin and it made it sound that much louder
Stephen Mullins so very glad to hear that. Thank you very much for watching. You can buy those planes from Stewart MacDonald and several other luthier supply houses.
Great video Jerry: can you talk more about the Lore? When was the one you dismantled made? Was is destroyed before you got your luthors data from it ?etc. etc.
Mel Superable it is still being played in a professional band to this day. The reason I took it apart was that it had been sent back to Gibson three different times to have the neck remounted it was pulling loose. So the owner insisted that I fix it. I refused it for over 3 years because I did not feel I was confident enough at the time to do the work. When he finally forced it upon me I told him that the rules were I would have to take it apart to in order to do it correctly. I must have been correct because it has never come apart since. Thank you very much for watching.
Have you tried the hole drilling technique for the inside carve? It gets you pretty darned close for hogging and you can dial it in from there!!! Let me know if you're familiar or i can send you a pic of my drill press setup!
Can you adjust the note at which the top vibrates by thinning areas within the top? You said it was an E-flat and a b-flat, does this imply the notes around G are present but maybe as overtones? Pardon me but I am a retired math professor and scientist.
bdaa86 it provides the ability to go in almost any direction which helps you level out the surface much more. It doesn't dig in very deep so you don't have to worry about picking up a big gouge somewhere when you're getting close to finished. It is basically a leveling plain allowing you to get the surface pretty uniform ready for scraping.
Thomas Tommy I don't buy them very often. However when I get them I either get them off of eBay. Or from a woodworking supply house. Thanks for watching.
I am surprised that you did the outside first before you did the inside. I would have thought that having the piece tip around on the rounded face would make it more difficult to cut the inside. That and it provides more opportunity to ding up the face making the final sanding and finishing more problematic.
Cliff Campen it's not a problem. But you have to carve the outside first so that you have your shape to carve your inside to. Otherwise there's no telling what outside shape you'd end up with. It is not hard to hold it at all, if you carve at on a soft table like I do. And it doesn't make any scratches or any dents. Thanks for watching.
I have always thought it was odd that people want to get paid for their efforts, but then expect you to work for free. I don't know what you charge for a hand crafted, high quality instrument, but I am sure it is worth every penny.
highpower3006 thank you very much. I only charged about one-third what Gibson does for a handmade mandolin. Also Steven Gilchrist charges three times what I charge. I charge $6,000.
All the top Violin makers of the day the top 2 in particular got their wood from the same patch of Forest, for every instrument they made. I think it's a part of the Black Forest in what was Bavaria or the Italian Alps i'm not sure. To this day it is managed. They call it the Musical Forest "Il Bosco Che Suona"
Jerry, Do you have shirt with that phrase?-- "I'd tell ya, but I'd have to kill ya!" That should be your next one. Great video and all of them are so educational and entertaining. My wife and I enjoy watching. Dan in Riverside, CA
Oh BTW Jerry - a CNC would probably not be any faster, and would take longer to set up than it would be worth for a one-off job, even to rough out the plates. And the CNC isn't going to give you a lick of feedback about that that top wood is doing as you carve it - soft spots, grain shifts, etc. If you were trying to do 10 mandos at a time - then it would save you time - but not for a one-off. But you already knew that ;-)
Once again, you're not getting lines on the video screen because it's curly. If you put a light colored object in front of the camera with fluorescent lights, the frequency of the lighting causes a moire pattern effect in the video due to a mismatched frame rate from the fluorescent lights' frequency.
vern linkletter it took about 12 hours just to make this video. There was more than five hours of video to go through. The only way you can do that is to watch 5 hours worth of video as your editing it. And then you have to go back through it two or three more times it's just a long drawn-out process. Thanks for watching
I was moaning about me having to waite two weeks to see part three, not anything to do about your skills or anything else, it was all in jest. like a lot of folks i admire anyone who has talent and shares that with others, I know it's a time comsuming and sometimes thankless hobby,job or what ever label one puts on it. but I truely look forward to each and every one and the music too, keep it coming. again thanks!!
vern linkletter thank you very kindly. After rereading my reply, I didn't really say what I meant to say. I was just trying to point out that there's so much to do and it takes so much time that I'll actually be lucky to get another one out within two weeks. But I do really appreciate your watching thank you very kindly.
Don't second guess yourself on price yes amazon sells cheap Chinese ones for pennies but u make stuff that people's great grandkids can still pickup and play when they are teenagers it's built to sound right and last (Elmer's school glue on plywood won't sound good like the cheap China ones probably use)
People want the best, but do not want to pay for it. When this is your living you have to be able to live, and not just cover the costs. I dare say sometimes you are out of pocket on some work you do. How much to charge for labor is difficult. I have sold some work, but do not get back what I put into into in terms of labor. However it is not paying my rent. To buy a genuinely hand made instrument these days is difficult. I do not consider your rates expensive. These are heirloom pieces, and will easily last for generations of players.
Does anyone else get excited when they get a subscription notification for a new Rosa String Works video?
ijosef thank you very much.
ijosef I sure do! Lol
YES I do, and I was more excited to hear that Jerry worked on a Lloyd Loar Gibson which is probably equivalent of being sent a Stradivari violin. That just tells you what that person thought of Jerry's work. A Llyod Loar is the Stradivari of the mandolin world. A good example is worth well over 200k ( I'm pretty sure of that). In 2011 one was valued at 175K and I think these instruments went up and up.
Gibson would have loved to have Jerry in Kalamazoo with them. No doubt about it.!!
carm4765 thank you very kindly.
Yes
Well I have finally found something retirement is good for. I now have the time to watch every video you put out, and then read all the comments. I'm liking this. This is an interesting video for me, I am anxious for the next one. I have been in awe of your talents since you repaired my Grandfathers fiddle, and plugged the holes in my old O18 Martin guitar, over 30 years ago.
That's what I'm talking about. Real craftsmanship by hand from the best materials available and an instrument you will keep the rest of your life. If you think about it it's the cheapest way to go. Buy once keep for life
357bullfrog thank you very much.
Hey Jerry, I just read that you're putting a guard on that sander!!!! I thank you!! My teeth thank you!! All of us safety nuts thank you. Can't wait to watch the next installment.
Jerry - it is a real pleasure to watch and listen as you demonstrate the old ways of hand crafting an instrument. It is lovely to see a mandolin come to life in each incremental step. I particularly loved that you trusted your hands to locate irregularities and to determine basic symmetry. People who work with wood understand that your eyes will guide but it is your finger tips that truly tell you what's going on.
Andrew St Pierre glad you are enjoying it. Thank you very kindly.
I cannot even begin to imagine the degree of satisfaction gained from the completion of an instrument of this complexity, and giving it it's "voice".
AMStationEngineer yes that is a dilemma. It is very difficult to part with them after they're built. Thank you for watching.
A couple times you said, "Not bragging. . ." I say when you're making something by hand as fine as your product, brag it up, loud and clear, as long as people will listen.
I know, I know. . . Ain't gonna happen. It's just the way you do it. Glad to see there is still an artisan doing it the right way and obviously loving the entire process.
Jerry, I sure enjoy watching you work at 'high speed' while listening to the great music. Having followed you for quite a while, I understand most of what you are doing. When Jerry's on it's chill time for me! Just love your channel.
BarbedStar thank you so very much. I really appreciate it.
Great video thanks for sharing. I hope you have a blessed weekend and Holiday.
Thomas Tommy thank you my friend.
Jerry, Another fine job on the video brother! I can't tell you how much satisfaction I am getting watching my very own Rosa Mandolin come to life! I can't wait to come back to Missouri either. I'll be counting down waiting on the next episode. I'm very happy I commissioned you to do the build. Tell the wife we said Hello!
Robert Barnum thank you very much my friend. I would have had the video out sooner hope however we spent most of Sunday in the emergency room with Sue. Her horse trampled her from behind. It knocked her down and stepped on her hand I guess. Her fingers were cut pretty badly. No broken bones just bruises and a couple of cuts. She's doing fine now.
It is always exciting to see one of your mandolins take shape!
Jeff Grier thank you very much.
HI Jerry thanks for another great video. I love the way you and Randy are straight no nonsense in your approach to the project. Making sure everyone will understand the methods used, the difficulties one may encounter and the your ways of overcoming them. A very complete insight into everything you are doing. One other thing that stands out in both of you, is the passion you have for your work.
Clive Porter thanks my friend.
I never get tired of watching these mandolin builds!
ed801975 glad to hear it, thank you very much for watching.
Thanks Jerry, for another high caliber video of your beautiful technique! I so appreciate people like you sharing (most) of your secrets because it's really mentoring anyone out there who cares to watch. My prayer is, that in an age where so many talented folks like you don't have a son or daughter that is following in dads' footsteps, the years of trial and error and perfecting of a trade are not lost, but instead inspire other virtual sons and daughters to learn and follow. Thanks Jerry for teaching all of us!!
LarryS
Larry Sauriol thank you very kindly my friend.
Yes I do also Get excited when I get notifications from Rosa string works. have you ever wondered by people send Jerry stuff. Because they are grateful for the time and effort Jerry puts out on his videos that we all learn something new every time we watch. God bless those who blesses others. This is my opinion.
those scrapers remind me of the old days I used to use a piece of glass to scrape the back of necks to get the profile down to where I wanted it, an old luthier showed me this and I still do it when shaping neck profiles. good work brother and no doubt time consuming.
Randy Schartiger thanks for watching Randy. I have tried glass a couple of times and it does work too.
Lovin this build Mr. Jerry! I don't know if you have made a video about it or not, if not, I would love to hear the story about how your interest in making music began, and how you ended up becoming a Luthier. I've seen the video of you talking about how you found and purchased your farm, but not about your musical journey. I think it would make an awesome video. Thank ya sir.
Bryan Wayne I'll try to tell that story in the next episode. Thank you very much for watching.
Wow! These videos really put the cost of a F mandolin into perspective.
Wow, Jerry! Again I say...your close attention to detail just inspires the heck out of me! Love your work, my friend.
Dennis Allport thank you very kindly.
Has anyone ever made a mandolin using neck thru body and hollow edges similar to a Gibson ES 335 and use a pickup? I find your videos very relaxing. Glad to see you do an instrument from scratch.
Vader1957 yes I think several companies have done something similar. Thanks for watching.
That was some wonderful woodcarving in action there!
Thanks for posting Jerry.
I always have all my guitars tuned down a semitone, so that Eb and Bb jumped right out at me there. Really nice work, sir!
Benedict Nothing thank you very much for watching.
I had almost repeated my favorite high school track coach quote"whoulda, coulda, shoulda." but now you did. you are a true champion. Glad a true fan sent you a new sanding belt.
I agree that you are fair with your prices Mr. Rosa, the materials alone are costly and with work and time a good quality instrument can be considered as a work of art. I remeber a few years ago one of my contemporarys made a viola modled after a 1700s italian Testore, it was a beautiful instrument so much so I considered owning it but that idea went right out the window when he told me he wanted $18,000 for it. Bottem line you pay for quality as well as art and you are no exception.
TXCrafts1 thank you very kindly my friend.
This is great Jerry. Except for the secret measurements a guy could really learn everything he needs to know about mandos. thanks a lot, good stuff.
Dane Nichols thank you very much Dane.
It is fantastic to watch your painstaking work on the mandolins you build.I wonder if in your mind (I can already guess your answer) you have ever executed a "perfect" build? To the rest of us they are immaculate pieces of craftsmanship...thank you for sharing it.
Les Stoddart I guess it's all on how you define perfect. I've been pretty pleased with every instrument I've built especially in those last 15 years or so. Thank you very much for watching.
Thanks for the reply. You're the quality control, so I know that none would leave the workshop unless you were satisfied with the build.
Out of interest, how many mandolins have you built (approximately), Jerry?
Les Stoddart around 40 total instruments. And around 30 of those are probably mandolins. I have to look up the exact numbers.
Another great video. I always appreciate the extreme care and painstaking detail you put into your work...it must come from a "love" of the instruments!! I enjoyed your story about the library...it is evident in your work that you learned from the masters...you are a true artisan and superior craftsman!! And BTW, congrats on over 1 million views to your channel!!
thats2kewl thank you very kindly. I appreciate that very much.
Just great to watch Jerry... thanks so much!
No thanks necessary. I really enjoy watching and learning. I'll never attempt to do that but it sure is nice to know right across the big river I can have it done.
Great build Jerry,you make it look so easy,nice details love that top.Cheers
blkjckgtrnut thank you very kindly.
I'm loving the work so far. I like that you do so much by hand. I'm enjoying this build a lot. Regards, Solomon
Life After Work thank you very much my friend.
Realy intresting..You sure have lots of patience...ha ha ..Keep the videos a coming...
Kenneth Innis thank you very much.
This is a tremendous amount of work, yet fabulously done. You always seem to amaze me. Also, I really enjoy the music in the background and I should've said this before I love the intro. BTW this music is not my cup of tea, but again I do enjoy yours as well or as much as I also enjoy Randy's. Looking forward to the rest of the build. 👍🏻👍🏻
Gil Lamb thank you very much Gil. I appreciate the tolerance.
I get what you are saying here about people complaining about the prices you charge and how the cost of materials drives the price. I've had people do the same to me when they have offered to purchase something I created by hand and offer less than the cost of materials. (I even had one person tell me that I should be grateful to sell to her at less than what it cost to make it with the reasoning that I will get my product "out there" and she stormed off in a huff when I told her I wasn't doing it to lose money.) Unfortunately, here in the States we have been spoiled by an abundance of cheap disposable foreign goods created in high capacity sweatshops and that has led to a depreciation of the skill it takes to create a quality product from raw materials. You are a craftsperson. And the irony is that even when you are repairing an instrument, you routinely under-report the hours you work on it when it goes long. And still they carp. You do phenomenal work and are worth every cent.
Yep what you said.
Great tips on sharpening and burnishing scrapers. I thought I was the only one who used a peice of tool steel from a valvestem for a burnishing tool lol I wanted to thank you for taking the time to answer my question about your little drum sander on the part one video of this mando build. I wanna build my self one. I had a shop fire a couple years ago and lost pret’damnnear all my tools. Good friend of mine who used to play guitar for wants me to build him a chambered body mando for playing live,sorta like a godin multiac type mando. Never gone down that path before so I’m gonna be learning as I go lol thanks again mr.jerry.
Btw Jerry,as to your prices,personally I think your work is worth quite a bit more than you charge. One of these days Im gonna have you build me one. I’d love to have a 20s loyd Loar,but that’s out of my price range,and honestly it would be like my 1904 martin. Too valuable and fragile to really play.
So great to watch your process and your technique! Now I'd like to see you do a violin or a guitar!
Mono Rocks thank you very much for watching.
Awesome - I learned a lot. The gauze surprised me. If I was any more than a hack on mando I'd definitely order a Rosa. I do have a 1971 Framus that has a bolt-on neck and no cutaway - it's shaped like a little guitar with a single Framus "F" hole (looks more like a swish). Takes ball-end strings that are a pain to find - I've been going to change the tailpiece and just never get to it.
Tioga Fretworks thanks again.
That's the way the July 1923 snakeheads top I had was; very tight in the middle approaching medium grain towards the edges. It makes sense for the loss of sound energy. I also like a wider top to make the instrument loud and mellow. You could build with softer wood if you want easier; a wide grain Sitka and Black Walnut make for dark and mellow tones with a crisp response and more bass. Sell a few like that and you could put together a CNC for under 10K.
Jeremy Ebner thank you very much for the ideas. Thanks for
Wonderful work. Wonderful video!
Stig Ole Spang thank you very
Wonderful to see how you work--such skill!
Question referring to @10:13--have you shown us how you sharpen your finger plane(s)? Thank you.
I don't think I've shown that. It's not real spectacular. I just use a whetstone with oil similar to the way I sharpened the scraper. Thank you very much for watching.
Hi jerry. Another great video can't wait for the next part.cheers rob
rob dilley thank you my friend.
I told you you needed that equine safety guard! Glad she's ok!
Robert Barnum I think she's okay she's still pretty banged up and pretty sore.. She's probably learned a new respect for them.
I can see the hook, I have been watching all your top carving videos, just started my first one. Taking it slow. That’s for the video
30:15 #Elvis Presley! Love the vid!
I would love to see a video of the instuments you made that you kept. Greetings from Sweden!
Zekuna actually you'd probably be disappointed. Most of the ones I've kept are the early ones and they're not that great looking. Thank you very much for watching.
Did you say $500 for the tuning keys ? What kind do you use ? That Maple is sick ! This is gonna be an awesome mandolin.
françois Madeuf yes sir they're $540 a set. They're Waverly tuning keys. They have real pearl buttons. And are gold plated. Thank you for watching. Merry Christmas.
Jerry. I agree you don't need a CNC machine. Your work is A class without one. That was very evident by the work you did on my old violin. So don't change. Why change perfection?
P.W.
Paul Wood thank you very kindly my friend.
I had to come back and watch this video again. I hope you don't mind. It's an amazing awesome video. How many instruments have you made over the years? Just wondering. If you don't answer. I will understand. Great video thanks for sharing your thoughts and video.
Thomas Tommy I really appreciate you watching it again. I'd have to look it up I have it written down. My guess is I'm in the low 40s. Thank you again for watching.
Another captivating video! Jerry, no thumbs down by idiot plebs yet. Can't wait for part 3. Cheers Jerry... Rob from England.
Robert Kibbler thank you very kindly my friend.
Nice work, Jerry almost makes me want to give a mandolin o go! LOL
Boudreau Guitars go for it. Thanks for watching.
A thousand questions: what is the height of your bench and how tall are you? How much camber do you put on your planes? Will you sell plans for this instrument? Are your planes all flat bottomed? Thanks, Bill in MN.
Are any of these acoustical instruments made with a heat formed wood backplate and frontplate? Would it make a difference in the sound?
It seems that forming would be more likely to carry the wood grain clear across the plate, rather than shortening the grain by carving. Maybe that would not be desired.
Hand carving is where it's at pressing the wood into shape doesn't do it. Even stradivari hand-carved mm back in the 1600s
@@RosaStringWorks Thanks Jerry. I am still watching this build series brother.
Hi Jerry
Ur videos are just an education!!
I have recommended ur output to every instrument maker and repairer I come across, heres my question:
What do u prefer makin guitars or mandolin?
Jason Smith I suppose I prefer to build mandolins. That's probably just because I'm mostly a mandolin player. Building guitars is fun too. And I also like building fiddles. Thank you very much for watching.
Wow Jerry, that was really great. I call this old world craftsmanship. You really do a fine job and actually, in my opinion, anyone that doesn't understand how much a hand-built instrument by a professional builder, himself, shouldn't be asking about prices. That person should have a good idea what that instrument will cost. I also really enjoyed the gauze trick, I hadn't seen that before and it's a great way to reinforce an opening. That was really nice to see and I will certainly remember that. I'm curious, other than the Loar, have you ever seen gauze used that way before?
Buddy Martin thank you very time in my friend. Yes I've seen reinforcement like that used on a few older instruments. Some carved guitars.
Thanks, very nice video! Someday I'd like to try to build an A5
Mike on the Mandolin you are welcome thanks for watching. Good luck if you try it.
Love your vids! Are your planes flat or radiused sole? The big one looks to be radiused, can't tell about the 10 and 12mm. Love your work! ja
Jerry, I wonder why you didn't trim the tone bars to fit with a piece of sandpaper...like you do with a bridge. I've not done it either way, thus the question. My Adirondack spruce blank is calling to me, so I'll be there soon.
Pleasure to watch!
You must have spent a lot of time honing your skills. Where do you find those finger planes? Thank you for sharing some of your knowledge. I put one of your deer saddles and use the ghs silk and steel strings on my Ratliff mandolin and it made it sound that much louder
Stephen Mullins so very glad to hear that. Thank you very much for watching. You can buy those planes from Stewart MacDonald and several other luthier supply houses.
How much is a small pantograph ..?is there an affordable one yet,???
Awesome! work Jerry.
Todd Taylor thank you very much Todd. I've been watching your recent videos. They don't allow comments, but I sure do enjoy them. Great picking!
Great video Jerry: can you talk more about the Lore? When was the one you dismantled made? Was is destroyed before you got your luthors data from it ?etc. etc.
Mel Superable it is still being played in a professional band to this day. The reason I took it apart was that it had been sent back to Gibson three different times to have the neck remounted it was pulling loose. So the owner insisted that I fix it. I refused it for over 3 years because I did not feel I was confident enough at the time to do the work. When he finally forced it upon me I told him that the rules were I would have to take it apart to in order to do it correctly. I must have been correct because it has never come apart since. Thank you very much for watching.
Wow: thats a great story also. Thanks for all you do.
Mel Superable thank you.
Have you tried the hole drilling technique for the inside carve? It gets you pretty darned close for hogging and you can dial it in from there!!! Let me know if you're familiar or i can send you a pic of my drill press setup!
Yes I actually show it in a few of my more recent videos. Thank you.
@@RosaStringWorks -excellent---i should have known!!!! ;-)
Can you adjust the note at which the top vibrates by thinning areas within the top? You said it was an E-flat and a b-flat, does this imply the notes around G are present but maybe as overtones? Pardon me but I am a retired math professor and scientist.
Gerry can you tell us what maker those little planes are? Thank you Sir
scott 1911man I'm not in the shop right now. But I believe they are Ibex. Thanks for watching.
Jerry, which video might show me your "cheater" neck reset? Thanks.
Hey Jerry, whats the purpose of using a toothed blade vs a standard blade in your mini Ibex Plane? Just curious.
bdaa86 it provides the ability to go in almost any direction which helps you level out the surface much more. It doesn't dig in very deep so you don't have to worry about picking up a big gouge somewhere when you're getting close to finished. It is basically a leveling plain allowing you to get the surface pretty uniform ready for scraping.
Can I ask Where do you buy the scrapers from?
Thomas Tommy I don't buy them very often. However when I get them I either get them off of eBay. Or from a woodworking supply house. Thanks for watching.
Why don't you sand the back of the top?
Joe Shmoe the old timers claimed that sanding clogs the pores of the wood. So on the inside of the mandolin I only use a scraper. Thanks for watching.
I am surprised that you did the outside first before you did the inside. I would have thought that having the piece tip around on the rounded face would make it more difficult to cut the inside. That and it provides more opportunity to ding up the face making the final sanding and finishing more problematic.
Cliff Campen it's not a problem. But you have to carve the outside first so that you have your shape to carve your inside to. Otherwise there's no telling what outside shape you'd end up with. It is not hard to hold it at all, if you carve at on a soft table like I do. And it doesn't make any scratches or any dents. Thanks for watching.
Great sir🙏
I have always thought it was odd that people want to get paid for their efforts, but then expect you to work for free. I don't know what you charge for a hand crafted, high quality instrument, but I am sure it is worth every penny.
highpower3006 thank you very much. I only charged about one-third what Gibson does for a handmade mandolin. Also Steven Gilchrist charges three times what I charge. I charge $6,000.
What song is brother john in your viedo
I want one! Same as this...ADI top and quilted or flamed maple back!
All the top Violin makers of the day the top 2 in particular got their wood from the same patch of Forest, for every instrument they made. I think it's a part of the Black Forest in what was Bavaria or the Italian Alps i'm not sure. To this day it is managed. They call it the Musical Forest "Il Bosco Che Suona"
Amazing
I like your attitude
Wow! That small of a plane :0
Jerry, Do you have shirt with that phrase?-- "I'd tell ya, but I'd have to kill ya!" That should be your next one. Great video and all of them are so educational and entertaining. My wife and I enjoy watching. Dan in Riverside, CA
The Shavings, it looks like Dolly Partons had a Jarine cut.
Oh BTW Jerry - a CNC would probably not be any faster, and would take longer to set up than it would be worth for a one-off job, even to rough out the plates. And the CNC isn't going to give you a lick of feedback about that that top wood is doing as you carve it - soft spots, grain shifts, etc. If you were trying to do 10 mandos at a time - then it would save you time - but not for a one-off. But you already knew that ;-)
Tioga Fretworks yeah if I had a CNC I would be doing multiple tops. Thanks for watching.
Once again, you're not getting lines on the video screen because it's curly. If you put a light colored object in front of the camera with fluorescent lights, the frequency of the lighting causes a moire pattern effect in the video due to a mismatched frame rate from the fluorescent lights' frequency.
John Kelley I understand all that. The difference is I am not using any fluorescent lighting it's all LED. Thanks for watching Happy New Year
two weeks!! that's a long time..
vern linkletter it took about 12 hours just to make this video. There was more than five hours of video to go through. The only way you can do that is to watch 5 hours worth of video as your editing it. And then you have to go back through it two or three more times it's just a long drawn-out process. Thanks for watching
I was moaning about me having to waite two weeks to see part three, not anything to do about your skills or anything else, it was all in jest. like a lot of folks i admire anyone who has talent and shares that with others, I know it's a time comsuming and sometimes thankless hobby,job or what ever label one puts on it. but I truely look forward to each and every one and the music too, keep it coming. again thanks!!
vern linkletter thank you very kindly. After rereading my reply, I didn't really say what I meant to say. I was just trying to point out that there's so much to do and it takes so much time that I'll actually be lucky to get another one out within two weeks. But I do really appreciate your watching thank you very kindly.
And if you were making them cheap every twirp would be banging on your door and you'd never get any rest
Mike Mixer Thanks my friend.
Don't second guess yourself on price yes amazon sells cheap Chinese ones for pennies but u make stuff that people's great grandkids can still pickup and play when they are teenagers it's built to sound right and last (Elmer's school glue on plywood won't sound good like the cheap China ones probably use)
john leininger thank you very much. They should be around for a hundred years or more after I'm gone.
People want the best, but do not want to pay for it. When this is your living you have to be able to live, and not just cover the costs. I dare say sometimes you are out of pocket on some work you do. How much to charge for labor is difficult. I have sold some work, but do not get back what I put into into in terms of labor. However it is not paying my rent. To buy a genuinely hand made instrument these days is difficult. I do not consider your rates expensive. These are heirloom pieces, and will easily last for generations of players.
Stephen Gent thank you very much for your understanding my friend.
sounds like eb to me