All the missed notes are mine that more practice will correct and I might also have some fine adjustments to the setup to make. After repairing 4 cracks in the bowl, I removed the old finger board and carved a shim to level the neck and then I cut a slotted fingerboard to fit, hammered in the frets, leveled the frets then glued on the fretboard. A taller nut and bridge were required so I carved and fitted them and installed a set of GHS A240 ultralight strings at 09-13-20-32 guages. I still have some fake Mother of Pearl and Tortoise Shell edging to cut, shape and glue in before the restoration is totally finished and much more technique to learn about playing this kind of mandolin. If you cannot afford a bowlback mandolin, find one in distress and bring it back to life it is very rewarding. I bought this instrument for $125 and may have spent that much in tools and supplies to get it back in shape. More details of this restoration may be found in the Mandolin portion of the Forum entitled "OPEN SALAMONE" ... I am not a luthier but have a background as a HS Shop teacher though the only power tools used were a bandsaw and belt sander used to rough out the pieces of wood needed. Hand carving shaping and sanding did the rest.

Octave Ray