Siminoff Logo
Monthly Update 
November 2008
In This Issue
Product Highlights
Luthier's Tip
Quick Links
More About Us
Roger
Dear Luthiers,
 
Supporting your needs...

Stemming back to the publication of Pickin' Magazine and my first construction book in the early 1970s, sharing information has always been an important focus for me. To this end, I've posted all of the instruction sheets that come with our many products on our website as free downloads. The instructions are available in PDF format so they should be easy for you to download and print whether you are a Mac or PC user.


In addition to product instruction sheets, there are several other documents of interest including a white paper entitled "What Was Loar Hearing?" that provides information on the concert pitch that was in use when Loar was tap tuning F5s and H5s in the 1920s. There is a Frequency Calculation Chart (Excel) that you can download, which allows you to enter any frequency for concert pitch and find the frequencies for all the notes of the common seven octaves. And, there is a Fret Scale Calculator that provides you with the distances between the frets for any scale length and number of frets you choose.

These and more can be found in our website here and are available to you at absolutely no charge and no obligation. Just click and download. It's all part of sharing what we know and learning together.

The team at Siminoff Banjo & Mandolin Parts extends warm wishes to you and your family this Thanksgiving.


Thanks for building with us...
 
Roger Siminoff
 
StroboSoft v.2 is Ready!
 
Back in December of 2007, we announced that Peterson ElectroMusical was soon to release a new version of StroboSoft™ that included a unique tap tune function. StroboSoft v.2 (version 2) debuted at the January 2008 NAMM and boasted several wonderful new features. However, during the following months, the product was held up from being released for reasons beyond the company's control. Since we had a beta copy, we were able to talk to many of you about the features, and we had permission to demonstrate the software at several events. But it was like dangling candy in front of a baby because we couldn't provide information about a launch date.
StroboSoft
Well, we just received some great news: Marshall Johns, product manager for StroboSoft, just advised us that StroboSoft v.2 is now available for purchase as a new application or for purchase as an upgrade if you already have StroboSoft V.1xx.

The new tap tune function is very powerful. Among other things, it allows you to set the number of taps to be captured before the frequencies are averaged. Then, it locks the screen, displaying the resultant (averaged) note of the tapped tone. The screen doesn't change until you again begin to tap. This built-in compressor is a great feature. The system also allows setting thresholds for minimum and maximum amplitude (loudness) of the taps, which will provide you with better consistency.

To make a long story short, this application is made for folks who are interested in tap tuning. You can purchase an upgrade by going here or visit their new online store here. If you already own the StroboSoft Suite (the boxed version that came with an additional DVD on setting up intonation on musical instruments), the upgrade to v2 is free. All you will need is your serial number from the DVD plastic case.

For a free supplemental instruction sheet I have prepared on how to set up and use StroboSoft v.2 for tap tuning, please email me at [email protected] and put STROBOSOFT INSTRUCTIONS in the subject line.
Product Highlights
A1 Pro-Series Drawings
� A1 Pro-Series Drawings - For those of you interested in a full-bodied sound, we have just released our A1 ProSeries Drawing set.  This set provides 19 full-size drawings of the instrument including numerous cross-section and topographical views. The neck drawing shows the inset strengthener that was used by Gibson prior to the announcement of the truss rod. The part number is #DA1 and the set is $29.95. (Part #DA1 is so new it is not yet posted to our web site, so you will have to either call or email to order.)
 
� H5 Mandola Fretboard Cauls - To assist you in gluing fretboards on your mandola, we make a 3/4˝ solid oak fretboard caul. The face of the caul that contacts the frets is finished square so that the fretboard ends up level and flat, and the caul is the same size and shape as the fretboard so that you have full and easy access around the fretboard to clean up any glue that squeezes out. Our H5 fretboard caul is part #842 and is $9.95. (Part #842 is so new it is not yet posted to our web site, so you will have to either call or email to order.)

� Fingerrest Kit - We're excited about our F5 fingerrest kit. It includes a fully-shaped Fingerrest Kit1/8˝ tortoise-shell plastic fingerrest plate, shaped tortoise-shell plastic lower support, w/b/w .060" celluloid binding, pyramid-shaped tortoise-shell plastic support block, threaded support shaft, b/w/b support link, threaded ferrule, threaded thumb screw, two support pins, and a round-head slotted-head wood screw. Our fingerrest comes with complete instructions and is available in either nickel (Part #610-N) or gold (Part #610-G). The fingerrest kit is $59.95.

NOTE: Please consult the Shipping & Returns page on our website for a P&H table.
Luthier's Tip: Measuring Inside. 
 
Proper graduation and thicknessing of a soundboard and backboard is essential to building an instrument with good tone and amplitude. Sometimes we come across instruments that are fully constructed, and we'd like to know how the soundboard is prepared.

Here's a simple gauging tool that can be adapted to a standard dial indicator. I fashioned an aluminum block that fits around the support shaft of the dial indicator. Then I shaped a piece of 3/16" steel rod into a "C" with one end bent so it would come up under the measuring probe of the dial indicator. The C-shaped part is held to the aluminum block with a set screw, and a set screw is used to hold the aluminum block to the dial indicator.  The throat of the C is 3-1/4" wide by 2-1/4" high (inside measurements).
Gauging tool
With this tool, I can measure the thicknesses of a soundboard through the f-hole and reach nearly every part of the soundboard. The up-bend on the lower part of the rod allows me to measure past tone bars and braces.

Product of the Month: Gold-Plated Mandolin Tuners 

301-G MachinesWe are really pleased with the work Gotoh has been doing on mandolin machines. These machines are excellent replicas of the original machines used on the early F5 machines. The machines feature 16:1 gear ratio, worm above the round gear (they do turn/tune the right way), and simulated MOP plastic buttons. Complete with screws and eyelet-type bushings. Our gold machines are part #301-G and are regularly $64.50. For the month of November, you can save $6.50 (10%) on gold 301 machines. Limit one set per customer. Enter novmachines when prompted during online checkout.

Save 10%
 
Gold-Plated Mandolin Tuners Special
 
November's Product of the Month: Save 10% on your purchase of 301-G mandolin tuners. This discount may not be used with any other offer or discount. Limit one (1) per customer. Enter novmachines when prompted during online check out.
Offer Valid: October 24, 2008 through November 30, 2008