Has anyone built a StewMac F5 mandolin kit? If so, what was your experience?
They are currently out of stock and no indication of when they will be available. It’s not a problem since I’m just thinking about future -rejects at the moment.
Thanks
F5 Mandolin Kit
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BlindBo
- Posts: 171
- Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2023 12:53 pm
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Skarsaune
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2018 9:12 am
Re: F5 Mandolin Kit
I haven't done a mandolin kit nor one from scratch yet.
I did get Siminoff's book on building a mandolin for research purposes.
I'm interested in what you find out.
I did get Siminoff's book on building a mandolin for research purposes.
I'm interested in what you find out.
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JLT
- Posts: 330
- Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2011 9:13 pm
- Location: Sacramento, CA USA
Re: F5 Mandolin Kit
Late entry into this thread, but...
I see that the Stew-Mac kits are still unavailable. The only other supplier of F5 kits that I know of is International Violin, which has expanded their guitar and mandolin sections after LMI closed. Their kits don't really require much in the way of assembly, though. They are from China.
Here's the link for the F5:
https://www.internationalviolin.com/ins ... ortise-cut
And here's one for their A5:
https://www.internationalviolin.com/ins ... it-a-model
I've worked with this company many times in the past, and can vouch for their customer service.
I see that the Stew-Mac kits are still unavailable. The only other supplier of F5 kits that I know of is International Violin, which has expanded their guitar and mandolin sections after LMI closed. Their kits don't really require much in the way of assembly, though. They are from China.
Here's the link for the F5:
https://www.internationalviolin.com/ins ... ortise-cut
And here's one for their A5:
https://www.internationalviolin.com/ins ... it-a-model
I've worked with this company many times in the past, and can vouch for their customer service.
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BlindBo
- Posts: 171
- Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2023 12:53 pm
Re: F5 Mandolin Kit
Unfortunately, JLT, I haven’t made any progress on a mandolin project. SM is still saying “out of stock”. At this point, it appears they may not come back.
I looked at the Int’l Violins site you recommended. My concerns are, first, there are no instructions. SM offers their assembly video, but, it’s really expensive and “out of stock” too. Again, makes me think they aren’t bringing them back. You,can download their printed instructions but they are VERY basic.
The other question I have about IV’s kit is it says “the neck mortise is not cut”.
How have you dealt with getting good instructions and how big of an issue is the mortise cut?
Thanks.
I looked at the Int’l Violins site you recommended. My concerns are, first, there are no instructions. SM offers their assembly video, but, it’s really expensive and “out of stock” too. Again, makes me think they aren’t bringing them back. You,can download their printed instructions but they are VERY basic.
The other question I have about IV’s kit is it says “the neck mortise is not cut”.
How have you dealt with getting good instructions and how big of an issue is the mortise cut?
Thanks.
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BlindBo
- Posts: 171
- Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2023 12:53 pm
Re: F5 Mandolin Kit
Just FYI, I emailed Chris Herrod at StewMac today (he’s one of the sales managers) to inquire about the status of the F5 kits. He said they will return, but, the kit is going through a complete redesign and that it could take a while longer. He was unable to predict when it would be back in stock. I am not convinced we’ll see it back in stock, but, I hope so.