@mattbeels I re-wired it all in the end as I could isolate the issue, all good now 🙂

So @tej how did it go with them Hot Slags?

@robin If it’s a Neapolitan bowl back type mandolin it probably is beyond repair. They are a nightmare and hardly ever play in tune. Good decorative pieces but that’s about it.

You learn a ton about instruments by doing repair & tech work and it’s fun and rewarding but you need to keep a sharp lookout for the pitfalls which are lurking around the corners. Have fun with ...

I love ash for guitar bodies @tej but personally I wouldn’t consider using it for a neck. However I’m interested to see how it goes for you, good luck!

@boo I learned on a course in Lincolnshire in about 2003 and think I still have the notes, including how to make a bow string with a spliced loop from wax thread. UK wood isn’t much good as it’s too f...

Posted by: @boo but I used to make bows and arrows when I was a kid and it’s just something I’m drawn to. 😆 😆 Clever @boo.

Posted by: @koendb I do wonder if I need to make a trussrod for this, I dont think I do I’ve made cigar box guitars with no trussrod. It was fine. IIRC, the neck was Maple, so good & strong. ...

Hi all, In between guitar projects, I also have a plan to build an electric ukelele. Currently working out the plan, based on a electricherald plan for a Gibson Melody maker. I need to double check th...

Okay. Thanks guys. I'll give it a try once the finish is done.

. The truss rod somehow slipped about a half-inch toward the headstock. Obviously now it's going to be sticking out past the nut. It seems to be pretty solid in it's place but could it be (carefully) ...

@tej I will put my head on the chopping block and say no because Ash is very springy, so unless it’s all heart wood and very solid it will give under string pressure eventually. I made an English Long...

Posted by: @markbailey the main problem is the coarse grain. With hard bits next to soft bits it can be very difficult or near impossible to get all the lumps out Ok, this at least gives me somethin...

The headstock was one of the things I was looking at that I didn’t think looked right. Thanks to everyone for confirming my suspicions. The horns on the body were something that also “just didn’t look...

@rocknroller912 @mattbeels Looks like we’ve got some competition I'm not planning on making a habit of it. But Joe did mention a mandolin that he thinks is beyond repair, sounds like a challenge to...

@mattbeels Looks like we’ve got some competition

@robin Good repair and I would say it will outlast you and me. I like the way you have made new rivet caps. I still can’t work out how they managed to rivet wood without crushing it. Superglue can be ...

Good job @robin and welcome to the world of Guitar Repair!

@rocknroller912 If the plates are 1.5mm thick then I would put some protection on the soundboard, like thick plastic and lever them off with a chisel. Old adhesive shouldn’t be that strong to resist...

I'd say a definite no no for newbies - risky unless you have a few builds under your belt. It's too difficult to work. If you are experienced and prepared to take the risk then why not - if you can fi...