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It's been a fun journey and I find that my first guitar is complete. I took an opportunity given to me by a timely business downturn and layoff to build a guitar. I sent for the Small Jumbo plans, a nice set of East Indian Rosewood with Sitka top from LMI and I was off to the shop. The build progressed well with more time spent making fixtures and revisting steps to correct errors (I'm much better at binding now). Then, I got a new job and progress slowed. I had a couple of false starts with the finish, but eventually found Robbie O'Brien's video and came to really enjoy French Polishing. I need to go back and do the final polish, but overall I'm pleased with the appearance.

I added the K&K Pure Western Mini's and the guitar saw its debut at the Easter Vigil. Overall the sound is really quite pleasant and I'm very pleased with the feel and the action. My wife commented, "I can't believe it. It looks and sounds like a real guitar ... a nice guitar at that." I concluded that was success.

Here are some shots:

 

Thanks to all of you OLF'ers. The wealth of information, assistance and motivation you provide is amazing. I know my final product is far, far better than it would have been without you.

 

-PeterO

Way to go, Peter, that is a fine looking instrument.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

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

That's a mighty fine looking guitar, especially for a first.  It is going to be hard to live up to the firsts at OLF.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Very nice. Great 1st guitar

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Great Job Peter!!
Can't wait to start another guitar...Right?
Go for it.
Keep up the good work. Thumbs up for all the great help you get here on the Forum.

Congrats, walter

Very cool.  Congratulations! 

Yeah, it sure does look like a nice guitar!

WOW!
great job for a first!!

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Good Job on number 1 !! 

WHat is in store for number 2 ?

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Reguards,

Ken H

Wow, I really like the shape of this guitar. Very Lowdenesque. Lovely.

If that's the standard for build #1 I give up now!!

Nice looking guitar and I really like that french polish finish. Was it a long process to get the finish right? Looks beautiful!! 

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Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils - Louis Hector Berlioz

Chansen / C hansen / C. Hansen / Christian Hansen - not a handle.

Christian

Peter - Very nice! Congratulations. We need a closeup of your rosette.

The OLF SJ is a nice shape. I hope I can find the time to start one this year.

How did you do your grain filling under the French polish?

Jim

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Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

I just want to echo what has been said about your beautiful guitar!
Nice sound port too!

I like it a lot Peter! Very nice job
on everything. Your first? Wow!   

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Beautiful job Peter. I really like the rosette and the bindings too!One great thing about building guitars, if you work a lot, like me, is you can chip away at it, and before you know it, it's finished! Good luck to ya! Alan.

Yeah, that's sweet! Like the others, I echo the "first guitar" theme - firsts around here are hard to measure up to.

Great work.

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

Congratulations Peter It's a great feeling to play an instrument that you made yourself. Nice job !! I hope that it sounds as nice as it looks !

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Peter

Thanks, all, for you very kind words. Here are some closeups of the spalted maple rosette. I spent a long time auditioning other rosettes, but this one really worked for me. I find now that it is quite subtle, but understated and elegant. I'm happy with it, but think a bit more pop could be fun, too.

Here are some of the rejected candidates:

[QUOTE=Hodges_Guitars]

Good Job on number 1 !! 

WHat is in store for number 2 ?

[/QUOTE]

As excited as I am to be playing number 1, I can't stop at just one. I was warned that this could be addicting, and it would seem this was accurate advice. Having always been a strummer and wishing I could be a better picker, I've decided to motivate my practicing with a guitar more attuned to fingerstyle.

Number 2 is a Redwood topped, curly Claro walnut back and sides small jumbo with gold frets and tuning machines. Aside from many mistakes to improve upon, I plan on changing the shape on the bridge and headstock, adding some Pau to the rosette, and lightening up on the braces more.

 

-PeterO

Nice job Peter and thanks fpor the pics.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

That is an excellent first guitar, way better than mine anyways. Congrats!

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

I wish my first one looked that great! I really like your rosette.

Peter,

Well, your wife was right--nice job! You even threw in a fancy sideport. Impressive! Good choice on the rosette. I kinda like your bridge as it is. It's stately and distinctive.

[QUOTE=PeterO]

As excited as I am to be playing number 1, I can't stop at just one.

-PeterO

[/QUOTE]

Nobody can make just one, Looks like a great start.

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Say what you do, Do what you say.

Beautiful job Peter. Thea debut at Easter Vigil is very fitting too. welcome to the addiction!

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice