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Another kid leaves home. Classical #3
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Author:  Jim Kirby [ Sat Feb 09, 2008 10:49 am ]
Post subject:  Another kid leaves home. Classical #3
Here is classical/flamenco #3. I hesitate over which to call it. I think I left it braced a little too heavily for a flamenco, and it has a more classical sound to it. On the other hand, I hear that this design (Reyes) tends to a more classical sound anyway - wish I had started with the Barbero design instead. This one is going to a close friend who I've known for many years.

Anyway - Guitar built following the GAL Reyes/Blackshear design
Englemann top (had so long I can't remember where it came from)
Yellow cedar back and sides (Kevin Hall)
Cedro neck, ebony fretboard, ebony bindings
BRW bridge and headplate, Gotoh premium tuners (customer request), La Bella 2001 Hard tension strings.

The discoloration on the headplate at the very end is ??? - the wood just took the finish that way for some reason. It was much more uniform in color in the white. The flash does accentuate the difference much more than you see in person, though.

My French Polishing still leaves a lot to be desired. I had more success with getting a level final surface by spiriting off, but there are many cooties around the bridge and fretboard edge and at other corners still. [uncle]

Thanks for looking. Comments always welcome! Now I need to get back to the shop and finish one that I can keep for myself! :lol:

Jim

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Author:  Dave Anderson [ Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another kid leaves home. Classical #3
Very sharp looking guitar Jim! I really like the yellow cedar look
with the ebony bindings. [clap] [clap] [:Y:]
And the back strip...............Cool 8-)
Author:  Marc [ Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another kid leaves home. Classical #3
Beautiful guitar Jim, great work, very nice, I also like the ebony bindings contrasting with the yellow. FP looks fine from your pictures. I'm sure it sounds great too.

I've french polished five classical guitars with pumice fill, not many, but for me the bottom line is --those areas (fingerboard, heel, bridge) are just more difficult and take longer. I understand the white flag.

I've received a generous amount of instruction/advice. What's worked best for me, came from Dave LaPlante who described a 4 to 6 week process with many bodying, leveling, sanding, cycles. He also provided a beautiful close-up picture of his work showing sides meeting the heel. It's in archives somewhere.
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Sat Feb 09, 2008 1:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another kid leaves home. Classical #3
Very handsome guitar, Jim. [clap]
You must be proud!

Steve
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Sat Feb 09, 2008 1:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another kid leaves home. Classical #3
Nice, Jim! That looks outstanding. Beautiful work. I bet your friend will be very happy. [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap]
Author:  Sam W [ Sat Feb 09, 2008 3:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another kid leaves home. Classical #3
Nice looking guitar.

I have trouble getting a level surface when french polishing as well (can't see that in your picture though-it looks good). I hope to get that improved on my next one.

Your friend will enjoy this guitar!
Author:  ChuckH [ Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another kid leaves home. Classical #3
Wow Jim, that is really one nice looking guitar. I love the headstock.
Author:  KenH [ Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another kid leaves home. Classical #3
Beautiful Guitar Jim!

I will be starting a Barbero flamenco in the next couple of weeks and I would love to hear what yours sounds like if you could afford a sound clip.

Well done!! [:Y:]
Author:  John Kinnaird [ Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another kid leaves home. Classical #3
Very nice Jim
I especially like that detail the way the back covers the heel
Author:  Jim Kirby [ Sat Feb 09, 2008 10:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another kid leaves home. Classical #3
Thanks everyone - I'd like to take it outside for better photographs, but it was too cold for a change.

Ken - you don't want to hear me play it - that wouldn't indicate anything useful. :cry: :cry: :cry:
I do despair more than a little of being able to effectively test my classical guitars to a level that is meaningful. I need to start from scratch as a player at age 55.

Jim
Author:  KHageman [ Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another kid leaves home. Classical #3
Jim,

Nice job. Keep up the good work!

Ken Hageman
Author:  Jim Kirby [ Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another kid leaves home. Classical #3
Hi Ken - Long time no see.
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Sun Feb 10, 2008 12:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another kid leaves home. Classical #3
Not too late, Jim. May not be great, but you can learn enough to give em a good test. :D
Author:  Jim Kirby [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another kid leaves home. Classical #3
The new owner picked it up today. He brought his "real" guitar along, and I was thrilled - it was the first time I've had a chance to hear one of my guitars side by side with a guitar from a recognized builder.
The other guitar is a Raya Pardo (Granada builder), I'm guessing about 6 years old. Looks to be very Torres like in plan, but I have no clue what the bracing looks like.

My guitar didn't sound bad! It was about as well balanced, maybe a tad heavy (boomier) in the bass. The trebles sounded decent - I've always been afraid that mine would have a weaker, muddier attack or some other ailment that would befall a guitar from an inexperienced hand, but they really weren't all that bad.
The main difference was in the bass. The Raya Pardo was very woody on the bass strings, projecting as much in the harmonics there as it does in the treble. The tone on the lower strings on mine was much more dominated by the fundamental, sounding both, in a way, more rounded and fuller, but then somewhat flatter and less zingy too. Not so much bad, but noticeably different.

Overall, I was encouraged. Still need to get my French Polishing out of the gutter, though.
Author:  Hesh [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another kid leaves home. Classical #3
Nice job Jim buddy and being able to see the new owner enjoy it is a fantastic experience. Very nice guitar!!!! [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap]
Author:  Gary L [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another kid leaves home. Classical #3
Congratulations on another nice one, Jim! That looks like it would be so much fun to play.

I have a '98 Raya Pardo which I'll never give up because of its soulful character an old world charm. The bracing has the typical Granada Marin-Bouchet pattern and is as minimalistic as you can get: a bridge strap like a Rodriguez with five fans and that's all. The beauty is in the simplicity.
Author:  Jim Kirby [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another kid leaves home. Classical #3
Gary - Thanks for that info. The two guitars I had finished before this one were after the Rodriguez design - a comparatively huge guitar, so I was surprised to hear the reference in describing the Raya Pardo.

Another Reyes-style is on the bench, and then its off into the world of Senor Romanillos.
Author:  MSpencer [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another kid leaves home. Classical #3
Very Nice!

Mike
White Oak, Texas
Author:  David LaPlante [ Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another kid leaves home. Classical #3
Lovely design contrast between the Ivory colored top/back/sides and dark bindings and trim................nice heel detail (very Spanish!) and heel shaping (VERY important...)
Don't beat yourself up about the FP.....it's a constant struggle to get it right and once you do, you'll ding it anyway before your customer receives it and dings it too......over time it shrinks and sinks in a bit and ceases to look like varnish or lacquer and thus invite comparison..........the overall aesthetic of FP is unbeatable........Nice Job............keep at it!!
Best
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