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 Dear Luthiers,
Some new stuff...
As I hope you've seen over the past many months, we've been burning the midnight oil to bring you new and exciting products. Two months ago, we announced our new Loar-style mandolin case and cover, and last month we announced our new spool clamp sets. While those are exciting product additions, this month's announcement has me really excited. For a long time I have been focusing on developing the ultimate mandolin machines that have the real look and feel of the original tuners used on Loar-signed mandolins, including the correct size and shape of buttons, the correct length of tuning shafts, right down to the correct screws. It gives me great pleasure to announce our Loar-style mandolin machines this month in our product section below. I'd love to hear from you once you review the details - please send your comments to me at siminoff@siminoff.net.
We are in the process of updating the documents in the "downloads" section of our web site, and by May 10, several new documents will be posted. Most of these documents are PDF files, and there are a few EXCEL worksheets (so you can manipulate some of the data). They are there to help you expand your knowledge base, they are free, and all that is required is a simple click to download them to your computer. You'll find these in the "Instruction Sheets (downloads)" section of our website in the "Products & More" box just above my photo on our home page. Or, you can go directly there by clicking here.
Things are bustling here, and all of us here hope that things are good for you, too!
Roger
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Siminoff's Luthierie Camp
We are working diligently towards finalizing our first Luthierie Camp program, a mandolin building class. The plan is for our luthier students to attend a week of classes and presentations at our facility in Atascadero, CA and go through all the steps of mandolin construction. While each step of the building process will be explained in detail, in the interest of time, the attendees will be working with the prepared parts in one of our F5 kits. Our goal is for the attendees to leave Camp with an assembled "white wood" F5 mandolin needing only fretting, binding, inlay, and finishing (the steps of which will be explained or demonstrated in detail during the class).
Siminoff's Luthierie Camp is a fairly intense 5-day program, and the current class is targeted for a maximum of six attendee. It is expected that attendees will have some woodshop tool experience (please note that this is a class on luthierie, not on how to use woodshop tools). And, of course, some luthierie skills are preferred. Evening programs will include various presentations, extra shop time, and we're hoping to squeeze in a jam or two.
Attendees will learn neck carving, truss rod installation, peghead shaping, soundboard and backboard carving, rib/rim bending, f-hole routing, dovetail and V-joint construction, rib assembly, kerfed lining attachment, soundboard attachment, neck attachment, backboard attachment, tap tuning, binding, fretting, inlay, and the basics of finishing. Evening programs will include several presentations on luthierie-related subject matter.
The fee includes the 5-day training and lecture program, a Siminoff #700 F5 mandolin kit, and meals. We will provide a list of nearby lodging accommodations, including hotels, motels, and campgrounds. The first Camp is scheduled for October 4-9, 2009 (Monday through Friday, with attendees arriving Sunday night, October 3, 2009).
The fee for Siminoff's Luthierie Camp is $2,895.00.
We are now accepting inquiries and will be glad to send you a registration form if you email your request to kali@siminoff.net.
Hope to see you at one of these programs...
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Product Highlights
Siminoff Banjo and Mandolin Parts is pleased to announce our exclusive Loar-style F5 mandolin machines. These machines will give your mandolin the look and feel of the tuners used on original Gibson Loar-signed F5 mandolins. Features includes: · Original style engraved backstrap · 12.5mm diameter mother-of-pearl buttons · Buttons hand-burnished and antiqued · Hand-fitted buttons · Original length tuning shafts · Machined eyelet-size bushings · Black oxide slotted flat-head gear screws · Slotted round-head button screws with mini-washers · Slotted round-head backstrap wood screws · 16:1 gear ratio (gears cut by Gotoh) · Delrin thrust washer assembly on string posts (hidden inside peghead) · Standard 29/32" post hole spacing The gold-plated version is part #301-LG; the nickel plated version is part #301-LN. Each set is $299.00 plus P&H. Also fits the H5 mandola. NOTE: Please consult the Shipping & Returns page on our website for a P&H table. |
Luthier's Tip: A minor but important detail
The shape of the F5 mandolin and H5 mandola were influenced by Florentine design. Florentine style art gets its name from the Renaissance art period that flourished in Florence, Italy in the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries. This art form was influenced by the flowing shapes of plant life; e.g., flowers, vines, leaves.
This art style is manifested in the shape of the F5's body and peghead, where curved lines, scrolls, volutes, and points are clearly evident. In keeping with the Florentine style, basically everything on the F5 that can be curved is curved. The only flat areas are the fretboard and peghead, which are flat by necessity.
One detail often overlooked by today's builders is that the ribs of the F5 mandolin and H5 mandola are slightly curved - not flat. It is a small design feature but an important one nonetheless. As the accompanying photo shows, the curvature is subtle; about a 18˝ or 19˝ radius. However, if you measure the curvature of the rib all the way around an original Loar-signed F5 mandolin, the radius is not consistent. So, it is not a feature or shape that was machined but rather a curvature that was sanded and hand shaped.
The detail may seem minute, but it is one of those things that sets the appearance of original F5s apart from today's replicas.
Concerned about the rib thickness? Not really a problem. If you begin with ribs that are .110˝ thick and sand them to an 18˝ or 19˝ radius, you'll still be left with plenty of structure (about .095˝ where the rib meets the soundboard or backboard), and the thin ends are backed by kerfed lining.
It's a small detail, but not one to overlook if you are into details.
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Product of the Month: Siminoff's Luthiers Glossary
 We've received many positive comments on the value of Siminoff's Luthiers Glossary. This book contains more than 875 descriptions, 200 illustrations, numerous specifications tables (string loads, string gauge selection chart, etc.), and more than 30 color charts of luthierie woods shown in both their natural and lacquered states. This Glossary is for luthiers of all skill levels. For the month of May 2009 only, we're offering a special Discount of $5.00 on Siminoff's Luthiers Glossary (limit one book per customer). To take advantage of this special offer, use promotion code simluth5. Order online here.
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