LARRY KLOSE's Blog (4)

I have a 17 year old F5 mandolin with spirit varnish finish.  The celluloid binding on the long curve on the  bass side of the headstock is lifting in the middle.  To complicate, the end of this section was previously re-attached with ACC, about an inch.  The end under the small scroll is still attached.  I'd prefer to reattach this with LMI binding cement which has worked great for me in past applications (including another spot on the same instrument) but I can't get a clean application of…

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I have a 17 year old F5 mandolin with spirit varnish finish.  The celluloid binding on the long curve on the  bass side of the headstock is lifting in the middle.  To complicate, the end of this section was previously re-attached with ACC, about an inch.  The end under the small scroll is still attached.  I'd prefer to reattach this with LMI binding cement which has worked great for me in past applications (including another spot on the same instrument) but I can't get a clean application of…

Continue

I have a Brazilian bandolim, basically a flat top mandolin with a round sound hole. The sound is somewhat unique as they all are but the construction is conventional. I want to do an internal install of a Baggs Radius pickup. Continue

I am on a quest to put a pickup in my mandolin (F5). I've looked at several but am currently leaning toward the K & K internal. The pickups themselves look relatively easy to install, but the endpin hole will need drilling out to accomodate the jack. The question is whether it's necessary to remove the tailpiece (traditional Gibson-style) in order to drill it or whether I can get away with drilling with the TP installed. Varnish finish, Unicorn and Mustang… Continue