The pond is now finished except for some landscaping around it. Last month, the pump shut off, combined with the heatwave we had all our fish got poached. So we decided to re-do it. The main reason it overheated was it was 7' across and only 18" deep. So I dug it out to 8x8' and 3.5' deep. I have a bigger drain to the filter and all seem good. Our good friends Kim and Mike gave us some koi too!
I finished Marilyn's Selmer Maccaferri Concert model. Nylon strings, so that means glued on bridge and fan bracing. I'm still fiddling with the bridge to get the action right but it sounds great. I did a french polish on this one and not sure I want to do that on the next. It looks ok but....I love the lacewood rosette. When the light catches it right it glows.
And of course Doogie approves of the case. Marilyn has found a book of duets so we can play together.
Ev's Mandocello is coming along. Because of the way the neck fits in I had to rout and bind the top before I could attach the neck. The differences in the profile of the carved top make routing very exciting to say the least. My normal router attachment is too large, so I got the Stew-mac dremel guide. Very helpful.The neck is in and the back is glued on. It's sounds cool when you bang on it. Sorry, Ev I meant tap on it.
The next big task is routing the back. The heel/back area is proving the most challenging.
I'm still waiting on the design for the headstock inlay but there is plenty to keep me busy.
I need to practice the finishing on some maple scrap too. I should have the bridge and tailpiece figured out soon. Sorry for the lack of photos.
