lutes and lutefisk

this here is a blogthing to detail the process and document the construction of some stringed instruments that i am attempting to not fuck up over the next 8 months...
stop by often for updates and other hilarious blogstuff


(mandolin ~ gibson A2 style)



the bending of the ribs:


the "rib sandwich"
-plate
-NASA blanket
-linen
-wood (flamed maple)
-paper towel
-plate

the NASA blanket is a crazy-ass satellite insulator type of thing and it heats to °500 within seconds... best electric blanket ever...

*steps not documented by photo: cutting templates, shaping blocks, gluing blocks to mold, thinning ribs




the bent rib:



these guys are dry clamped to the mando mold for the weekend...





11/03/07
the gluing of the ribs:














clamping cauls fitting the mold. .
jorgenson clamps. .
hot hide glue. .
masking tape stretched to
pull in ribs at tailblock. .






















matt steams off a neck. .
steam from espresso dealio into tube. .
into bike tube inflating device. .
under 15th fret. .
neck falls fast. .
matt scampers to turn off steam before burning the crap out of himself. .
jim watches. .
blake needham wears a wu-tang shirt. .
....BLAKE NEEDHAM!!!