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That is really something special! The inlay,rossette and all the abalone work is wonderful, and I really like your bridge design. Is that a maple binding, it brings everything together nicely. I wish I could see his face when you present the guitar to him. Clinton

shane has some nice tops for sure! Nice looker you got there Mark!

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Hey Anthony,

Mark bought a bunch of sets that were a mix of 'AA' low 'AAA' a while back. They were all well quartered and very stiff but didn't quite make the 'AAA' grade because they had a bit too much "Character". Builders like Mark (and myself) don't mind that. That set looks pretty nice! The silk is evidence of how well quartered the wood is, the quality of cut, more than the grade of the wood, typically...

Anyway, Mark did a fabulous job of displying the woods asthetic properties. I would LOVE to hear that guitar!

Shane

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Canada

Reall Nice Job Mark.

Awesome guitar Mark

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Hey Mark, really nice. The guitar is clean, and the inlay is one of the nicest I've seen.
And that cherry! Man, that must have been one big tree.

Thanks for sharing,

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Mark,
Very nice guitar! Your buddy is going to love it! What a cool thing to do btw- love that bridge!

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Really nice work all the way around! I especially like the bridge design.

Wow if thats AA low AAA -- !!!

Mark, you can be proud of this one, it looks perfect all the way around and i just can't wait to hear about your friend's reaction. Great Lutz tops, awesome rosette, binding and bridge design! Can i be you fwend ?
I bought Lutz spruce like yours from Shane too, i can wait to post pics of my next 2 builds, it's really beautiful on a completed guitar! Shane, you can be proud too buddy!

Serge

Mark,

That's a great look'in guitar and a really wonderful thing to do for a friend. It shall remain as a tangible link between you both for many years to come. But if for some strange reason he does not like it, I would be willing to have a bit of cosmetic surgery done and wear a wig if you will be my buddy.

Love Kim larkim38767.1894675926

   That's really awesome that he doesn't know about it... He is going to trip, big time!

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

Great looking guitar Mark! I think the inlay if awesome!

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Thanks for the good thoughts and nice comments everyone. I gave John the guitar today, it was a very rewarding thing really. He freaked right out, and loved it a lot...He told me that he really never had any idea, and that I made him look too good on the inlay! <G>
Here is a pic of the happy guy.

I took him to the computer, and we logged on here where he read all of your posts. He didn't really know there was a place like this, and when he read the things you all said- other builders from all over the world, well he was actually pretty moved! And he told me to say thanks for your thoughts.
And here is the last one, as you can see we were both very happy!

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Mark Swanson
Swanson Guitars
http://www.MarkSwansonMusic.com

Just RIGHT WELL DONE!!! Mark.

That really is a true meaning of friendship.

Shane

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Canada

Those sure are two happy guys...each for a different reason yet both for the same reason.

Great looking guitar, Mark...as well as a great example of true friendship and generosity.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Mark, that photo of John and yourself speaks volumes, well done.

Thanks for sharing, Mark, it has been a nice episode of your life to let us in on. It also tells us a lot about who you are.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Thanks Mark for those great moments of true friendship, and i insist, can i be you fwend ?

Serge

This story needs to be sent to Reader`s digest, doesn`t it? Touching and a happy ending. Congratulations on making a friendship even stronger than it was before!

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Give me 50 cents worth of regular.
Check my oil too, if you don`t mind,,,

Mark thanks for sharing this tale of two friends. My best friend of ten years moved away. I miss him every day. Great job on the guitar, it is excellent in every way.

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Great guitar and great story. Thnaks for including us in it.