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Monthly Update 
December 2008
In This Issue
Product Highlights
Luthier's Tip
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Roger
Dear Luthiers,
 
Some of my hopes for the New Year...

It's no secret that the downturn in the economy is having an impact on everyone, and it is my hope that your families have not been affected too greatly by the current state of affairs and are managing well through this time.

Often, in times of strife, people to turn to music for the solace and camaraderie it provides. It's a gift we have, and I hope you continue to allow music to help sooth the way through these troubled times.

Lastly, I hope you and your family have a wonderful and warm holiday season filled with all the good things you wish for, and that the New Year brings you peace, good health, happiness, and prosperity.

From all of us here, we wish you the very best...


 
Roger Siminoff
Changes...

The coming year will be host to many changes:

We've outgrown our current shop and office space and will soon be moving to larger quarters in a neighboring town. Moving a shop is no small matter, especially when trying to continue service and production at the same time - but we don't plan to lose a step. The dust collection, electrical, and air work is underway and our new carving room and benches go up next. Our plan is to move our carvers, benders, and production tools during the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. After January 1, 2009, our new address will be PO Box 2992, Atascadero, CA 93423. Email and web site information will remain the same. We'll have a new phone when we get in, but the current number (805.474.4876) will work for the next several months. If ever you get to California's "Central Coast," we hope you'll stop by and pay us a visit.

The new facility will give us room to hold luthierie classes - something I've wanted to do for years. We're preparing the curriculum now and hope to be announcing the program in the Summer, with the first class occurring later in 2009. And, we're beginning to pull together a mailing list for this program. If you're interested in being on the list, drop me an email at [email protected].

We're pleased to announce the addition of Ken Roddick to our team. Ken's a bass and guitar player, and he taught shop in a nearby school. Ken is involved in our mill room, machining, and prep areas. His music background and shop tool expertise make Ken a great asset. Welcome aboard, Ken!

And, our Marketing Director, Kali Nowakowski, just gave birth to a beautiful boy named Mason. Kali worked right up to the day before she delivered. She will be on maternity leave for a few months and then will be back doing all the great things she does here at Siminoff Banjo & Mandolin. (She doesn't know it, but we already have a workbench picked out for Mason!)
Product Highlights
Luthiers Glossary
Luthiers Glossary - Our latest book, Siminoff's Luthiers Glossary, is just coming off the press and will be ready for distribution the second week of January. Siminoff's Luthiers Glossary is a 235 page, heavily-illustrated book that contains definitions of more than 875 luthierie terms. The book also features 32 color plates of luthierie woods in both their natural and lacquered state. If you pre-order a copy between now and December 31, 2008, it would be my pleasure to autograph it for you. However, to take advantage of this offer you have to order the "old way" - via mail, email or by phone (our on-line system will not allow orders until the product is in inventory). Please be sure to provide autograph information. The part number is #509 and is $26.95 and the P&H is $7.50. California residents please add $2.15 Sales Tax. (Ships approximately January 15th)
 
Gift CertificateF4 Machines - The shaft lengths on F4 machines are different than those used on the F5 mandolin because the string posts angle outward on the F4 peghead (they angle inward in the F5 peghead). To accommodate this, we have F4 machines, made by Gotoh, in both nickel and gold plating. The machines come with imitation pearl buttons, eyelet-style bushings, and mounting screws. The nickel machines are part #302-N and are $83.50 per set plus P&H, and the gold machines are part #302-G and are $87.50 per set plus P&H. For more information, please visit: http://www.siminoff.net/parts/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=23_25.

InlayingF4 Rosette Instructions - Many builders have emailed or called seeking information on methods for inlaying F4 rosettes and how to mask the rosette from accidentally getting stained during the finishing process. I thought it would be a good idea to make these instructions available to all builders, and we have now posted them to our website as a free download. It is the fourth item down on the page at: http://siminoff.net/pages/siminoff_downloads.html

NOTE: Please consult the Shipping & Returns page on our website for a P&H table.
Luthier's Tip: Bending rims with hot air.  

Bending RimsHere's a handy technique when making small corrections to the bent shape of mandolin ribs. The heat from a hair dryer or shrink-tubing hot air gun is sufficient to soften the cells and allow you to slightly reshape the wood. Place the hair dryer or hot air gun on the workbench and ensure that the intake port is not blocked. (If using a hair dryer, set the dryer to its highest temperature.) Hold the wood in front of the hot air, heat both sides of the wood until it becomes pliable, and slowly force the wood to its new shape. It should be easy for you to feel when the wood is ready to bend. On some curves, you may be able to facilitate the bending by using a clamp to help draw the part into shape. In addition to the freehand and clamp-assist method, you can cut a male and female form of the new shape, heat the wood, and quickly clamp it tightly into the form. Allow just a few minutes for the wood to cool before you remove it from the form.

Product of the Month: Holiday Gift Certificate

Gift Certificate

Are you looking for the right gift for a music-loving friend this Holiday Season? Well, we have a Gift Certificate that will make gift giving easy. And, as our gift to you, for the month of December, we are offering a special 10% discount against any Gift Certificate amount. And, there is no limit on the Gift Certificates you can purchase when you take advantage of this offer. To purchase a Gift Certifcate call us at 805-474-4876 or email us at [email protected].

Save 10%
 
Holiday Gift Certificate Special
 
December's Product of the Month: Save 10% on your purchase of a Holiday Gift Certificate. This discount may not be used with any other offer or discount. Please call 805-474-4876 or email us at [email protected] to place an order.
Offer Valid: November 27, 2008 through December 31, 2008