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Four Guitars Finished
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Author:  bob_connor [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 3:56 am ]
Post subject:  Four Guitars Finished
We're showing some instruments at an exhibition at a music festival next weekend. Not quite Healdsburg but it's about the closest we've got down here.

So we've been flat out for the past couple of months getting these four ready.

The first one is a dread out of Red Spruce and Native Olive (Notelaea ligustrina), Blackwood bindings.

The Native Olive is another Tasmanian Timber, harder to get than Tiger Myrtle and one of the densest timbers found in Tassie. This set came from Tim Spittle.

It has a great tap tone similar to the rosewood family but probably taps with motre bottom end than any other timber I've bashed.

This was strung up this morning. It's got heaps of bottom end, plenty of mid range punch and the tops are fat and clear. It's already very loud so I think it's going to end up a really nice instrument once it opens up.
Author:  bob_connor [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 4:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Guitars Finished
The next one is is an O model out of Blackwood and King William Pine (King billy) which is a distant relative of Redwood. Also a Tasmanian timber and probably one of a handful of Australian timbers that are suitable for soundboards.

The King Billy is between Cedar and Engelmann in hardness, is very light seems and seems to share their characteristics of sounding "opened up" from the start.

It is not particularly stiff across or along the grain so I reckon it's suitable for smaller instruments like this using lighter gauge strings.

It is also one of the nicest smelling woods you can get.

It's got plenty of bottom for a small guitar and nicely balanced across all the strings but not as much mid punch and not as strong in the top end of another O model that follows further down the thread.

But it is a very sweet sounding guitar and surprisingly loud for it's size.

Continued in the next post due to the pic uploading thing
Author:  bob_connor [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 4:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Guitars Finished
This one is a Blackwood/Lutz 12 string I built for myself.

Strung it up yesterday morning and played a four hour gig with it last night. I didn't have to tune it all night which left me stunned but quite pleased.

It's got a K & K Powermix system in it which is simply awsome.
Author:  bob_connor [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 4:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Guitars Finished
The last one is a Ziricote/Euro O model - raw materials courtesy of The Zootman.

It's ballsier than the Blackwood one as you would expect. More mids and brighter highs.

Madrose fingerboard and bridge with Curly Blackwood bindings.

Thanks for looking. Both Dave and I are fairly knackered with the rush to get these finished so I'm looking forward to doing final setups on these later in the week and then enjoying the festival.

Cheers

Bob
Author:  Dave Fifield [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 5:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Guitars Finished
Wow! Stunning set of guitars Bob! [:Y:] [:Y:] [clap] [clap] [clap]

Good luck with the exhibition/festival next week!!

G'day,
Dave F.
Author:  Colin S [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 6:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Guitars Finished
Bob, they are simply superb, your using some of your domestic timbers to their best advantage. Your one of my favourite builders and these are up to your usual high standard (OK one's a dreadnaught, but I'll forgive you that). I know you'll wow them at the festival with instuments of this quality.

Colin
Author:  Vincent Simokovich [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 6:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Guitars Finished
Fantastic work Bob. I love the aussie hardwoods. That 12 string is gorgeous, and I love that laminated neck.

Vince
Author:  MaxBishop [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Guitars Finished
Bob,

Absolutely stunning guitars! My next project will be Tassie Blackwood. I just love the way it looks on yours. Of course the Ziricote ain't so bad either ;)

What's the finish? Did you use Ubeaut Hard Shellac? If so, did you get the crazing issues resolved?

Congrats on your great work!

Max
Author:  Hesh [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Guitars Finished
Bob my friend this was a real Sunday morning treat for me to read about and see your latest 4 gorgeous guitars. [:Y:]

If I were attending this show I would be sure to be spending a lot of time at your booth and trying them all out.

The Native Olive guitar fascinates me since I have some of this very fine tonewood from Tim and look forward to building with it too.

And your finishes look perfect in all respects.

Over several years now on this forum I have watched with great interest as many builders develop and find their way in this business. I think it's very safe to say that you and Dave have arrived and whom ever buys these beautiful guitars is going to be a very lucky person indeed.

Way-to-go M8!!! [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap]
Author:  Dave White [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Guitars Finished
Bob and Dave,

That's a fabulous portfolio - four different but equally stunning guitars. Now you've done the hard work just remember to enjoy the show - you'll have a fabulous time.

I really like the Euro/Ziricote O guitar. Small can be very, very beautiful!!
Author:  ChuckH [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Guitars Finished
Unbelievable Bob.........you made these guitars? They look like something the Angels created in Heaven.
Stunning...absolutely Beautiful.

I really love looking at the guitars you post. Thanks for sharing these photos with us.
Author:  Bill Greene [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Guitars Finished
Unbelieveable, really. Those are amazing. wow7-eyes
Author:  Anthony Z [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Guitars Finished
What Colin said!

Wow, talk about sensory over load! They are all equally stunning. I wish you would have doled them out in 4 seperate threads. :) Do enjoy your show, those guitars will sure give you a head start in that regard.
Author:  Dave Anderson [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Guitars Finished
Hey Bob and Dave ,
Very beautiful work guys ! I've been waiting to see the native Olive guitar under finish and
it does not disappoint. And the Ziricote is just amazing too. As Hesh said ,You guys have definitely arrived!!
They are all Great Looking guitars and Good Luck at the show. WOW ! [:Y:]
Author:  KenH [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Guitars Finished
beautiful guitars Bob! Building several at a time can keep one busy too :)
Author:  LanceK [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Guitars Finished
Great stuff Bob!
I love the 0 the best! The neck on that 12 string is stunning!

[clap]
Author:  Rich Schnee [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Guitars Finished
Bob, they are Gorgeous.
Author:  DannyV [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Guitars Finished
Wow! Are those beauties. [:Y:] [:Y:] Everything is nice about them right down to the pick guards.

Thanks,
Danny
Author:  burbank [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Guitars Finished
Wow wow wow and wow. Knockout guitars, Bob! I really like that 0 too. Great zoot, nice details.
Author:  joe white(old) [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 11:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Guitars Finished
Bob, Can you go into more deatail on the 12 string? I'm a 12 string nut and that guitar (actually all of them!) is gorgeous!!!
I would like to see more of the neck and peg head too! [clap] [:Y:]
Author:  John How [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 11:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Guitars Finished
Hot dang Bob, thise are somevery nice guitars. I really like that olivewood but my favorite picture you posted is that very cool Ziricote heatstock You used the figure to great effect.
Great job, you should be very proud. I hope you sell some guitars at the show and make lots of new musical friends.
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 11:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Guitars Finished
Incredible, Bob! What a great exhibition of fine workmanship and beautiful use of materials. The neck on the 12 string just blows me away. What a stunning guitar. I predict you will steal the show! [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap]
Author:  bob_connor [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 3:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Guitars Finished
Thank you all very much for your kind comments. I'm a bit overwhelmed really :oops:

Colin - there's still a lot of timbers hidden away down here that no-one has used. We have a couple of boxes closed up from Black-heart Sassafras. Similar weight and density to Mahogany and I'm thinking that it this point that it may have similar sound characteristics to Mahogany.

Max - these ones were finished with Mirotone pre-catalysed laquer. The new Hard Shellac formula is now available but I need time to test it first.

Hesh - I think having the pressure of getting these together for the festival where lots of people will be scrutinising them has lifted the bar a bit. And we're stoked with the finish from the Mirotone. Very easy to work with and ends up with a superior finish to the Hard Shellac.
You can also sand it after a day and it's fully cured in a week.

The Native Olive has proved to be all that we thought it would be and certainly justifies the hassle you have to go through sanding it.

Joe - This is the only other pic I have of the Peghead.
The fingerboard, bridge and peghead overlay are Brazilian. You can't see it in the pics but I used the gold Evo fretwire from LMI which sets it all off nicely

Attachment:
IMG_4328.jpg


Waddy - there'll be plenty of fine instrument makers at the show so I'm just hoping that our instruments get a favorable reception. Ian Noyce, Jack Spira, Scott Wise, Ray Black, John McGrath and Joe Gallacher are also showing instruments and are all well respected and long serving luthiers here in Australia. Some of them have websites and are worth Googling.

Thanks again everyone.

Bob
Author:  Lillian F-W [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 5:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Guitars Finished
Bob, you and Dave have done outstanding work. You have lots to be proud of.
Author:  John Kinnaird [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 6:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Guitars Finished
Bob
Those are supurb looking guitars. Very clean lines, very nicely executed and that bloodwood binding on the blackwood guitar is an artistic twist I would never have thought of. Excellent work

John
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