Guitar Making | JohnMcM | Activity https://guitarmaking.co.uk/members/jmcmi93888/activity/ Activity feed for JohnMcM. Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:20:55 +0100 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-GB 30 hourly 2 69af3b01e95e576146c7deeab71210d5 JohnMcM replied to the topic "Thistle Mandola" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/110588/ Tue, 02 Nov 2021 22:04:16 +0000 Well. That is the end of this story. I used sanding sealer and cellulose aerosols to spray the instrument then 400 and 800 grit sandpaper for the elm which gave me a sort of satin finish. I was originally thinking…   Read more»

]]> f0fed6ab33269d5e17ccd430258a4d89 JohnMcM replied to the topic "Thistle Mandola" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/108062/ Thu, 21 Oct 2021 22:14:02 +0100 Thanks for the comments guys. My philosophy is to imagine how they built instruments 100 years ago using mainly hand tools and an imagination. Also, I am only building one-off instruments as a personal challenge. If they turn out sounding…   Read more»

]]> 423798be3633a1d809f5f5e680a22cbe JohnMcM replied to the topic "Thistle Mandola" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/107988/ Thu, 21 Oct 2021 10:13:21 +0100 And now.The headstock logo.

Attachment : template.jpg

My “Thistle” logo was adapted to suit the narrower head and transferred onto 1/64th plywood then taped onto the headstock. careful scribing with a scalpel then an angled cut left a clean outline for routing…   Read more»

]]> 516c87d25280587cdd7b0db2baa337b2 JohnMcM replied to the topic "Thistle Mandola" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/107215/ Mon, 18 Oct 2021 08:55:05 +0100 More photos for your amusement.

Attachment : trussrod.jpg

 Carbon fibre truss rod. 8mm x 4mm. Dremmel routed a 3mm slot then widened it with sandpaper on a 2,5mm bit of ply.

Attachment : frettemplate.jpg

 Fretboard slot template was drawn on tracing paper using Stewmac…   Read more»

]]> 79cba6794e9aa69e3ef38b355d08e7a3 JohnMcM replied to the topic "Thistle Mandola" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/103764/ Mon, 20 Sep 2021 11:16:49 +0100 Had a period of not much work (not Covid) but here are some more photos of the slow progress.

Attachment : innercarve.jpg

Attachment : outsidesdone.jpg

Attachment : neck.jpg

Thats enough excitement for now. more soon, including making the fretboard from scratch and side bending.
 
 

]]> ebb91eb0cb3e5215617e4fce84a12f01 JohnMcM replied to the topic "Thistle Mandola" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/100107/ Sat, 07 Aug 2021 16:06:59 +0100 Hi Rocknroller. Without all the right modern piller drills and cnc stuff I had to think of another way to “carve” the plates. The spikey ball technique worked exceptionally well on the “Thistle 2 archtop” maple as opposed to sharpening…   Read more»

]]> 301ee337e761d34b639f04bfe7efad78 JohnMcM replied to the topic "Thistle Mandola" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/100061/ Fri, 06 Aug 2021 19:20:35 +0100

Attachment : outsidesdone.jpg

That is the outsides of the plates rough planed to the profile lines. quite happy with the results but can’t finish the neck area of the top plate until I get the mortice joint done and the neck rake…   Read more»

]]> 94c49665a106bf44a5466b557cd377b4 JohnMcM replied to the topic "Thistle Mandola" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/98629/ Mon, 19 Jul 2021 10:09:09 +0100

Attachment : profilecut1.jpg

spent some time making the front and back profiles for key points (bridge, waist and longitudinal. Now for the fun bit. I’m carving the profiles into the wood using a “Kutzall” carbide spiked ball in my flexidrive from my…   Read more»

]]> 759ce54db91ec5f0a4f6bdea0559b6ed JohnMcM replied to the topic "Thistle Mandola" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/96947/ Thu, 08 Jul 2021 08:07:23 +0100

Attachment : steppedplates.jpg

Today’s offering is the front and back (planed to 17mm thick) with the perimeter reduced to 5mm using my router in a stand and carefully running the edge past the blade. it took a day to do at 1mm…   Read more»

]]> cbace81dbc69737c2f876b3bfc4a67a7 JohnMcM replied to the topic "Thistle Mandola" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/96927/ Wed, 07 Jul 2021 21:59:22 +0100 The carbon truss rod is purely a stiffener 4mm wide x 7mm deep as I am unsure of the potential for elm to flex even in a short length. I am thinking about 22mm thickness at the nut as well…   Read more»

]]> 41f4bcc717f38b507fa8c5d0798bee23 JohnMcM replied to the topic "Thistle Mandola" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/96349/ Mon, 05 Jul 2021 21:54:33 +0100

Attachment : plates.jpg

Progress has been slow. I now have the back and front plates planed and bookmatched as best as I can given the fairly open grain.

Attachment : neck.jpg

Also the neck is roughed out and the carbon truss rod groove routed.
 

]]> 2dbeff0a33464b889c96971b2ea902ce JohnMcM replied to the topic "Thistle Mandola" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/88229/ Fri, 11 Jun 2021 09:00:39 +0100

Attachment : sides1.jpg

After a lot of cutting of more bits of the log to get the right grain direction, I cut 3 slices about 6mm thick x 70mm wide to be the sides. I then planed them down to about 3.5mm…   Read more»

]]> c6ee26c21904c79d01434d7137f1c3ce JohnMcM replied to the topic "Thistle Mandola" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/85981/ Tue, 01 Jun 2021 21:14:44 +0100

Attachment : elm.jpg

The log. The design was based on lots of looking at you tubes and drawings and photos until I was confident (?) about scale lengths body sizes widths etc. having concluded that there is no standard size. I eventually…   Read more»

]]> 58c565e1ce9d6b09c629a337d96fd5be JohnMcM posted a new topic "Thistle Mandola" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/85781/ Mon, 31 May 2021 21:56:14 +0100 I needed a new project for the eternal lockdown, so after a chat with my musical chum and ideas man, I have started on a mandola. The wood for this experiment/instrument comes from an elm tree which grew in the…   Read more»

]]> 70aa18eb2e3c1db41d4ccd15d65c968a JohnMcM replied to the topic "Thistle 2: The archtop" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/53476/ Tue, 23 Mar 2021 10:32:40 +0000 Thanks guys. I have been friends with Martin (as have Mark and Carol) for over 20 years and he is just a modest fun loving person who isn,t bad on the guitar.

]]> 937a5828dc74c2a3bae3a87f246f1f69 JohnMcM replied to the topic "Return of the Thistle" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/53332/ Mon, 22 Mar 2021 22:54:31 +0000 I have posted the video of martin Taylor and my guitars on “Thistle 2 The archtop if you are interested

]]> c8cdb26e45386c90f2aca42d478e9d11 JohnMcM replied to the topic "Thistle 2: The archtop" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/52810/ Mon, 22 Mar 2021 11:11:26 +0000 This is the video I made of Martin Taylor playing my guitars.

Attachment : true4.mp4

 Highlight of my “musical” career.

]]> 2a748e956deeceff201267a2ae1dca72 JohnMcM replied to the topic "For you Archtop Fans out there" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/50957/ Fri, 19 Mar 2021 10:43:47 +0000 Don’t just sit there, buy some wood and get going. i loved every minute of my project.
Mind you, patience is required. If you want to see fingerstyle archtop, look at Martin Taylor on you tube.

]]> c92cfc180a464f9827dc54a1544927c9 JohnMcM replied to the topic "Thistle 2: The archtop" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/50864/ Thu, 18 Mar 2021 20:40:05 +0000 I have been off line for a while but am still alive and kicking. I refinished the face of the acoustic to get rid of a crazing effect and bothe are sounding good despite my playing abilities. As posted elsewhere,…   Read more»

]]> 52c6f2d47bc3b88f8e77985af19ecd6b JohnMcM replied to the topic "Return of the Thistle" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/50862/ Thu, 18 Mar 2021 20:15:18 +0000 Thanks. it took about a year to complete and was finishes one week before lockdown in March 2020 so hasn’t been played in public as such but Martin Taylor has recorded it along with my acoustic Thistle. That was special….   Read more»

]]> a058eda880284ee184c78a97497bd357 JohnMcM replied to the topic "Thistle 2: The archtop" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/2593/ Mon, 16 Mar 2020 23:04:36 +0000 Thanks Mark. I’m still fine tuning action and relief as it settles down. I’ll drop in to let you see it soon.

]]> b2bf548525636f11592930c36ad971d2 JohnMcM replied to the topic "Thistle 2: The archtop" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/2580/ Fri, 13 Mar 2020 20:26:51 +0000 Thanks bill. You mean that I have to learn to play it? Watch this space. I have an idea.

]]> d37cf8c2f9d6d3781f814f85f5a7e8f0 JohnMcM replied to the topic "Thistle 2: The archtop" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/2578/ Fri, 13 Mar 2020 16:39:32 +0000 As in the Rolling Stones song “It’s all over now”. A year has passed and what have I got to show for it. Thisle 2 the archtop. All nicely polished and strung. Still got the fine intonation to do once…   Read more»

]]> 47ab89926da8a7741eeaad1b96ea1433 JohnMcM replied to the topic "Thistle 2: The archtop" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/2527/ Sun, 23 Feb 2020 17:07:06 +0000 I have finished the lacquer application and now have to wait for it to harden up before the final finish/polish process so I have started on the electrics. I’m using Schatten volume and tone controls with the KA pickup and…   Read more»

]]> d47c485fc8ac5f6d7ce92fbd8b6a9f5b JohnMcM replied to the topic "Thistle 2: The archtop" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/2466/ Thu, 13 Feb 2020 17:55:58 +0000 Thanks but you’ll have to join the queue already wanting a “shot”. Pick up is to be finger rest mounted KA Jazzy Joe. Hoping for playability about Easter.

]]> e08b77da9e8b6a99e916ff3c75e9f770 JohnMcM replied to the topic "Thistle 2: The archtop" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/2452/ Tue, 11 Feb 2020 23:05:08 +0000 Progress thanks to the bad weather. Making the ancillary bits and bobs and have ordered all the parts to finish the guitar. Decided on stain colour. Not green!!!!

Attachment : IMG_20200211_154844[771].jpg
]]> a3e3148d35f3027b1550ca80752ab78d JohnMcM replied to the topic "Thistle 2: The archtop" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/2393/ Mon, 27 Jan 2020 23:01:46 +0000 You were right Mark. Side dots only. Frets next. Been experimenting with water based dyes on scraps from the original body wedges but don’t think the maple will “pop” like the really flamed guitars do. So. To stain or not…   Read more»

]]> 3407d5ef3f0cfe5397d97dfe48444a40 JohnMcM posted a new topic "Thistle 2: The archtop" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/2358/ Mon, 13 Jan 2020 12:16:35 +0000 Previously posted under “Return of the Thistle” I have been making slow progress. Main problem was the hand cut dovetail neck joint which is now complete and done with very sharp chisels, a digital micrometer and a lot of nerve….   Read more»

]]> d98922a06f3229be52693ddfd21348ce JohnMcM replied to the topic "Return of the Thistle" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1654/ Wed, 11 Sep 2019 22:09:22 +0100 A few more pics of the archtop build for your entertainment. The side bending went well but very slowly round my exhaust pipe bending tube. Thanks for the tip of thinning the maple for the tighter bends Mark. I found…   Read more»

]]> 159eb052c0fbf1ae12eed6092b51e970 JohnMcM replied to the topic "Return of the Thistle" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1493/ Tue, 27 Aug 2019 19:36:45 +0100 Thanks Mark. Any chance of you getting my sides thicknesses so I can move along. Pleeease.

]]> d95babae52f206e0610379855fbe6170 JohnMcM replied to the topic "Return of the Thistle" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1486/ Mon, 26 Aug 2019 20:01:56 +0100 Progress on the archtop. After weeks of planning and scraping and sanding then repeating all the above, the back is now carved with only the refining of the thickness from centre to edges to do. Hopefully I shall start on…   Read more»

]]> 2adf98bd859783a20c9d6335d60c246d JohnMcM replied to the topic "Return of the Thistle" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1369/ Wed, 31 Jul 2019 20:11:12 +0100 Update on progress. I’m following the Benedetto book and have scaled down his design from 17″ to 16″ for my preference. Lots of drawing of the arching profiles and cutting them out of 3mm hardboard was followed by commencing cutting…   Read more»

]]> 85ce9f61c2275cf5becf03d8e20013c1 JohnMcM replied to the topic "Return of the Thistle" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1330/ Tue, 16 Jul 2019 19:26:40 +0100 Progressing with the Thistle Archtop. Rough shaping of the back with the plane. It’s flamed maple and pretty hard wood. Having to re-sharpen the plane every ten minutes or so.

Attachment : IMG_20190709_170834[275].jpg
]]> be97e7fefe65a7be5a68d38fe18cfdbf JohnMcM posted a new topic "The Thistle Acoustic Guitar" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1315/ Tue, 16 Jul 2019 10:15:50 +0100 A couple of years ago I signed on for Mark’s “Build an Acoustic Guitar at Home” video course. After a year, I completed the work and attach for your amusement some images of the “Thistle”. You will see where the…   Read more»

]]> b98f9e834d63c7261c362c5df0f18a9a JohnMcM replied to the topic "Return of the Thistle" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1308/ Sat, 13 Jul 2019 21:41:37 +0100 Don’t believe this!!!!!!!!!!!As soon as I posted my reply, the attach file thing appears!!!!!!

Attachment : IMG_20190609_135235[267].jpg

Hope this attempt works. 

]]> df60d0bd44e3c50ba9968b8f7b0c38cf JohnMcM replied to the topic "Return of the Thistle" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1307/ Sat, 13 Jul 2019 21:36:57 +0100 Hi Mark. Thanks for the reply.I had seen the “how to” post but still can’t get the wee red paperclip thing at the bottom. All I have is a tick box with “Subscribe to this topic” beside it. Tried ticking…   Read more»

]]> 793542be0034614cc306c65bd7e7faf8 JohnMcM replied to the topic "Return of the Thistle" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/1291/ Thu, 11 Jul 2019 15:31:45 +0100 Hi. Good news on the Thistle Archtop front. Got the wedges trued and glued before I went on holiday and have returned to making sawdust at last. I wish there was some way to attach the photos. I’m open to…   Read more»

]]> 639ecb0d209d7472b9e178f7aa1382e2 JohnMcM replied to the topic "Return of the Thistle" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/877/ Wed, 13 Mar 2019 21:16:57 +0000 Hi. Tried to post Thistle photos but don’t get the wee paperclip to attach them. I’m using android with Windows 10.  Any ideas???

]]> fafb3d8da38ce967797301b565f494c6 JohnMcM posted a new topic "Return of the Thistle" - https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/842/ Thu, 07 Mar 2019 11:59:45 +0000 Hello. I’ve just joined the happy community with the aim of building another guitar. Having completed the “Thistle” last year with the online video series, I am getting bolder with “Thistle 2”. More anon!!!

]]> 1e5236f19f49039f00b3bef2d7fc23ac JohnMcM posted an update: I'm back!!! Having built the "Thistle" acoustic, I needed […] https://guitarmaking.co.uk/activity/p/839/ Wed, 06 Mar 2019 22:10:03 +0000 I’m back!!! Having built the “Thistle” acoustic, I needed another challenge. Watch this space.

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