Mando Neck and Pup X3

axmaker · May 3rd, 2008, 05:14 PM

i was contacted to build a couple of mando necks for bucko and getbent. i haven't done one in about 10 years, so i figured i'd do another one for myself as well.

checking some measurements for layout from a previous instrument:

with the blank i have, i can get 2 full size, and 3 mando necks:

here are the rough cut necks:

the center one is mine. it is drilled for grover mini's. i don't know what bucko is using for tuners, so i will just leave him pilot holes. i will cut the fretboards, and slot them tonight.

the pickups;

these necks are 5 string. the tuning will be (from low) C G D A E. they will need a 5 pole piece pup. i used to use a 6 string blade and center it, but now that i make my own pickups i modify the bobbins for 5 string:

where the wires solder up won't be centered now, but it doesn't matter, because it will be under the pickguard.

Buckocaster51 · May 3rd, 2008, 05:26 PM

I guess THAT cat is out of the bag!

This is going to be exciting.

Nick JD · May 3rd, 2008, 06:09 PM

How are those five strings tuned? What string gauges?

What's going on for the fretboards? What's the scale?

Buckocaster51 · May 3rd, 2008, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick JD

How are those five strings tuned? What string gauges?

What's going on for the fretboards? What's the scale?

"these necks are 5 string. the tuning will be (from low) C G D A E."

string gauges? Hmmm...haven't the foggiest. Whatever works I guess. Probably just the top 5 strings of a light set.

Scale length? Now how would I know that?

They'll have maple boards.

This should be fun, but don't hold your breath waiting for a finished product from me.

Then again, maybe those are famous last words.

axmaker · May 3rd, 2008, 08:20 PM

the scale is 13 7/8". for the string gauges 10's are used without the one for the G.

getbent · May 3rd, 2008, 09:17 PM

cool!

Colt W. Knight · May 3rd, 2008, 09:25 PM

Must see more pictures!!!

axmaker · May 4th, 2008, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colt W. Knight

Must see more pictures!!!

per you request:

pickups wound and ready for leads, shielding, and potting.

vacuum potting the pickups.

...and the finished pickups.

getbent · May 4th, 2008, 01:55 AM

you made me laugh out loud! I've had a challenging day, just looking at this stuff makes me happy! it all looks awesome!

axmaker · May 4th, 2008, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick JD

How are those five strings tuned? What string gauges?

What's going on for the fretboards? What's the scale?

to exact answer your question: C .46, G .36, D .26, A .13, E .10

axmaker · May 5th, 2008, 12:58 PM

setting up the fret slot depth:

slotting the fretboard. i like taping the rule right on the back. this way tends to be more accurate then laying out then slotting:

the fretboards slotted, ready for inlay, profiling, and radiusing:

Buckocaster51 · May 5th, 2008, 04:07 PM

This is great fun to watch.

Unlike me, it looks like you know what you are doing!

Feerless Leader!

The plan is coming together!

First we kill moose and squirrel...

axmaker · May 7th, 2008, 09:49 PM

not much done today, but got the carbon fiber truss rods in...

axmaker · May 25th, 2008, 06:20 PM

here's the inlayed fretboards for the mandos a.k.a "the three amigos"....

getbent · May 25th, 2008, 06:55 PM

purty!..... I'm untangling the cable box today.... I dunno if you guys have a box like this or not... a big plastic tote... full of cables from 1980-present and every wall wart or cable that you keep for some unknown reason.... I've decided if I clean it up... I get to record tonight. I got me a new song.

axmaker · May 25th, 2008, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getbent

purty!..... I'm untangling the cable box today.... I dunno if you guys have a box like this or not... a big plastic tote... full of cables from 1980-present and every wall wart or cable that you keep for some unknown reason.... I've decided if I clean it up... I get to record tonight. I got me a new song.

i have one, but it's an orion beer crate i got when i was stationed in japan....

Buckocaster51 · May 25th, 2008, 07:13 PM

Those are neat!

You may inspire me to get my can off the couch and do something constructive yet today. 4 am nights take a lot out of me these days.

(Actually I blame it on the load-in/load-out...we carry LOTS of stuff!

)

Speaking of cable boxes...I use milk-crates...that way the small stuff falls out...never to be seen again.

Sort of like a self-cleaning oven!

May 3rd, 2008, 05:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
axmaker Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Oakley, CA Age: 45 Posts: 165 2 Photos	Mando Neck and Pup X3 i was contacted to build a couple of mando necks for bucko and getbent. i haven't done one in about 10 years, so i figured i'd do another one for myself as well. checking some measurements for layout from a previous instrument: with the blank i have, i can get 2 full size, and 3 mando necks: here are the rough cut necks: the center one is mine. it is drilled for grover mini's. i don't know what bucko is using for tuners, so i will just leave him pilot holes. i will cut the fretboards, and slot them tonight. the pickups; these necks are 5 string. the tuning will be (from low) C G D A E. they will need a 5 pole piece pup. i used to use a 6 string blade and center it, but now that i make my own pickups i modify the bobbins for 5 string: where the wires solder up won't be centered now, but it doesn't matter, because it will be under the pickguard. __________________ It is never too late to be on time....

May 3rd, 2008, 05:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
Buckocaster51 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Iowa USA Age: 56 Posts: 4,350 1 Photos	I guess THAT cat is out of the bag! This is going to be exciting. __________________ "An awfully lot of time can be wasted waiting for the right time." - Gunsmoke's Doc Adams

May 3rd, 2008, 06:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
Nick JD Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2007 Location: North NSW, Australia Age: 35 Posts: 1,656	How are those five strings tuned? What string gauges? What's going on for the fretboards? What's the scale? __________________ It was such a lovely day I thought it a pity to get up. W. Somerset Maugham

May 3rd, 2008, 08:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
axmaker Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Oakley, CA Age: 45 Posts: 165 2 Photos	the scale is 13 7/8". for the string gauges 10's are used without the one for the G. __________________ It is never too late to be on time....

May 3rd, 2008, 09:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Age: 48 Posts: 8,551 37 Photos	cool! __________________ I'll be the boy in the corduroy pants You be the girl at the high school dance Run with me wherever I go And just play dumb, whatever you know

May 3rd, 2008, 09:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
Colt W. Knight Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wyoming Age: 24 Posts: 1,331	Must see more pictures!!!

May 4th, 2008, 01:55 AM	#9 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Age: 48 Posts: 8,551 37 Photos	you made me laugh out loud! I've had a challenging day, just looking at this stuff makes me happy! it all looks awesome! __________________ I'll be the boy in the corduroy pants You be the girl at the high school dance Run with me wherever I go And just play dumb, whatever you know

May 5th, 2008, 12:58 PM	#11 (permalink)
axmaker Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Oakley, CA Age: 45 Posts: 165 2 Photos	setting up the fret slot depth: slotting the fretboard. i like taping the rule right on the back. this way tends to be more accurate then laying out then slotting: the fretboards slotted, ready for inlay, profiling, and radiusing: __________________ It is never too late to be on time....

May 5th, 2008, 04:07 PM	#12 (permalink)
Buckocaster51 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Iowa USA Age: 56 Posts: 4,350 1 Photos	This is great fun to watch. Unlike me, it looks like you know what you are doing! Feerless Leader! The plan is coming together! First we kill moose and squirrel... __________________ "An awfully lot of time can be wasted waiting for the right time." - Gunsmoke's Doc Adams

May 7th, 2008, 09:49 PM	#13 (permalink)
axmaker Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Oakley, CA Age: 45 Posts: 165 2 Photos	not much done today, but got the carbon fiber truss rods in... __________________ It is never too late to be on time....

May 25th, 2008, 06:20 PM	#14 (permalink)
axmaker Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Oakley, CA Age: 45 Posts: 165 2 Photos	here's the inlayed fretboards for the mandos a.k.a "the three amigos"....

May 25th, 2008, 06:55 PM	#15 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Age: 48 Posts: 8,551 37 Photos	purty!..... I'm untangling the cable box today.... I dunno if you guys have a box like this or not... a big plastic tote... full of cables from 1980-present and every wall wart or cable that you keep for some unknown reason.... I've decided if I clean it up... I get to record tonight. I got me a new song. __________________ I'll be the boy in the corduroy pants You be the girl at the high school dance Run with me wherever I go And just play dumb, whatever you know

May 25th, 2008, 07:13 PM	#17 (permalink)
Buckocaster51 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Iowa USA Age: 56 Posts: 4,350 1 Photos	Those are neat! You may inspire me to get my can off the couch and do something constructive yet today. 4 am nights take a lot out of me these days. (Actually I blame it on the load-in/load-out...we carry LOTS of stuff! ) Speaking of cable boxes...I use milk-crates...that way the small stuff falls out...never to be seen again. Sort of like a self-cleaning oven! __________________ "An awfully lot of time can be wasted waiting for the right time." - Gunsmoke's Doc Adams