Official Luthiers Forum!

That is one reason i'm addicted to this place, it's the quality of our people, i think i might have been guided here unknowingly(if that is a word?) to be among friends who really care! It's not just me thinking that or being too sensible, we really have a jewel of a forum, our community goes well beyond guitar making.

I really feel that i'm part of something bigger and like to think of ourselves as citizens of the world.

Dear Kevin, i don't have much to share for this project since i'm only starting out with real wood and my next 3 builds are gifts that i promised to loved ones. I'm glad and not surprised that others have jumped in already. On the other hand, you can count on my support and prayers and my sense of humor to cheer you up if you ever encounter bad days in your endeavour!

God bless you and guide your every steps

Serge

Kevin,
This is a great project. I'm so happy to be a part of it. Is this guitar going to be auctioned to raise money? I was unclear if it was to raise money or as a gift to someone you will meet on your trip. Either way is great, I'm just curious.

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

Steve,
   Upon returning from the trip, I'll donate the guitar to the radio station that is taking me along and they will, in turn, publicize the auction of the guitar.

    They will probably start making the guitar project and the subsequent auction public as I start cnstruction of it to raise awareness of its future availability to boost interest and the eagerness to bid. I'm hoping to get th attention of a couple of very wealthy players who each have several of my guitars and another on order to have them come to bid on it. The list price of the guitar with its present material list and design intentions should fall in the area of $7000.00 and it would be nice to be able to generate at least that much to support the orphanage that we're going to be working on while in Nairobi.

   There's power in the immediate availability of any custom built guitar so it should prove to be a plus. Instant gratification can be a great motivator along with the fact that the proceeds will benefit a good cause and ease the suffering of some very deserving kids.

I'm glad to have all who have contributed as part of a the group making this whole thing a reality.

Thank to all,
Kevin Gallagher

   I may have forgotten to mention that DonA has offered to supply the electronics for the guitar so that I'll be able to amplify it when possible in Africa. The addition of a pickup system will certainly boost the value of the guitar to most players looking to win the auction for it as well.

    Thanks Don for your help and generosity. It was a great surprize.

   Also a heart felt thanks to all who have offered in any way to be a part. The support it's received from the OLF has refreshed my view of and feelings about internet communities.

All the best,
Kevin Gallagher

AMEN!

God bless you Kevin!

   I thought that i had already done this, but after passing through this thread again, realized that I hadn't.

   I'd like to post a quick breakdown of the components for the African guitar and their donators.

1. African Blackwood Back/Sides - Doug Kleist
2. Italian Spruce top - Bill Greene
3. 5 Piece Laminated Neck Blank - Don Williams
4. Ebony Fingerboard abd Bridge Blanks - Bob Cefalu
5. Bubinga Bindings and Center Strip - Steve Saville
6. Gold Schaller Tuners w/Ebony Buttons - Peter Marreiros
7. K&K Pickup System - Don Atwood

   As you can see, the entire guitar is pretty much accounted for with the exception of the internal components like bracing and bride plate and the blocks and things that i have already made here and ready for the woods to arrive and be added to them. Also, you'll probably noticed quickly that every one of the people who were generous enough to donate the parts were members of the OLF...that says something to me.

   Along with the list of people who donated, I just want to say again that there were several people who offered some pretty unique and valuable pieces, but I was forced to turn them down since the parts were already donated by others. Thanks to those people as well and remember that intention is just as powerful as the act of giving. I seem to remember a guy who was willing to sacrifice his son on an alter, but never had to go through with it because a ram got tangled in a bush nearby and took his place. The intention and willingness to sacrifice was there and that's what brought about generations of blessing. That's what I immediately thought of as so many folks came forward anxious to get involved in this project.

Thanks to all again,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega GuitarsKevin Gallagher38763.4703009259

Hey Kevin,

How about some ebony bridge pins with abalobne dots and a 3/32 paua abalone rosette set? If you don't have these covered off let me know and I will send them your way. I would include a matching end pin but with the pickups you won't need that! Absolutely anything for the kids!

Peace my friend.

Shane

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Canada

Shane,
That would be great. The pins with dots and rosette will round things out nicely an really finish the aesthetic package of the guitar.

   Thanks for being a part of it and I'll be sure to add your name to the list of contributors.

   I'm anxious to get started as i begin a new hatch of guitars in my shop and run this one roght along with them for the first few weeks or so.

Thanka again,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars