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Your 2008 Guitar Building Goals
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Author:  Hesh [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 5:39 am ]
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At the close of every year I make goals for myself and try to organize my own thoughts as to what I would hope to accomplish in the following year.  Although losing 10 pounds is always on the list.... this thread is about guitar building goals.

For me I would like to improve my processes, add more jigs for alignment and set-up, and make my guitars more "producible."

In addition I would really, really like to learn more about final set-up, dressing frets, action, relief and how it all relates to specific playing styles.

And of course I would like to increase my output too.

What are your building goals for 2008?
Author:  Sam Price [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 5:52 am ]
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Well, I'll have more time as the littlun' is starting school *sobs*, so I'll dedicate more time to building guitars.

I'd like to make a few more guitars to exhibit at a craft fair one day, and may have plans to join my County's Guild of Craftsmen...who knows what'll happen, I certainly don't know the future.

Apart from increasing my stash, which is always a pleasant experience, I'll be wanting to keep building them, paying great attention to detail, fit and finish, playability, and if it only results in one guitar a year because of that, then so be it.

Author:  Michael Dale Payne [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:00 am ]
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Increasing my output is one of mine as well.

A shop revamp is on my near horizon.

Find time to build some show guitars. It seams that every time I have some slack time to do a few, Boom income new clients and the booked time is full again.

Author:  drfuzz [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:02 am ]
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Well.. I am hoping next year is the year I finally get the garage shop working again It has been one thing after another, but it is finally getting close.

Then, build another guitar - or even 2

I also plan to develop my setup/fretwork skills on my collection of lower-end electric guitars.

One of these days I plan to draw up my little late-30's Holzapfel 00 size guitar, but that is not likely to happen anytime soon.
Author:  Alan Carruth [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:20 am ]
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Maybe this will be the year I get the dust collector up and running. And the downdraft sanding table.

I, too, hope to get a little ahead of things, so that I can take some time to do a little R&D without stealing it from paying customers.

It would really be nice to get the other two 'seasons' done. And, yes, there are some jigs and fixtures that would be good to make. I also keep thinking about 'other' instruments I'd like to make, as well as a couple of 'odd' guitars: I've got a couple of ideas for harp guitars that would be fun to try out. I've got a coulpe of articles that need to be written, as well as some other writing that I want to do.

As always, when I start thinking on these lines, I realize that the true tragedy of humanity is that it's so easy to think of things to do, and it takes so long to actually do them. Ah well; job security.
Author:  Anthony Z [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:20 am ]
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My 2008 goal is to hound Hesh (as the deserving dog he is) to produce more guitars and realize their commercial value. [note: no emoticons]

For me, finish the Quilted Archtop, Single O for my daughter....stretch objective get a couple of OM's started.

Oh yeah and play more guitar!

Author:  LanceK [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:33 am ]
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I would like to fine tune my "processes". Get more jigging and tooling up and running.
Get a down draft table, the big Grizzly one. And attend both the Miami and Montreal shows.

Also, I would like to get my oldest girl Leanna started on her first guitar, she will be 10.

As for building goals, I want to try hard to stay on top of a projected time frame and
complete the guitars for my customers that are expecting there guitars in 2008.
The above tooling and jigging goals should help me do that.

Lastly I want to keep all 10 fingers, my wife and day job. Not necessarily in that order
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:34 am ]
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For me, it is finish #1 and get going on 2 & 3.
Author:  charliewood [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:39 am ]
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My objectives are the same as they have been
(dragging on for ever now)
Aside from "nearly" having collected all necessary tools to build a decent guitar,
nearly built the all the necessary jigs and molds,
and having set up a decent shop for the purpose.. (which is decent I suppose)
Happily, I have as many tools and materials as I need to get started at least, and the other tools will be able to be acquired as the build process progresses,,,,

*I would like to "carefully build" one acoustic, one archtop, and one electric,,, to see which guitar I like building most
*If I have any extra time I will build as many more guitars, mandos, ukes, basses, as possible,,,
*Id like to start doing some setup and repair
(which I have done some in the past) in order to supplement my income stream,,,
*Id like to be able to contribute some photodocs to the OLF and other forums as I progress through my builds...
*and Id like to collect alot more wood!
Cheers
Charlie
If Im overzealous on my goals - ill try and get as much as possible of that list done...
Author:  blindreality [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:40 am ]
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I would like to finish number 1 or at least get the body closed...
Author:  Burton LeGeyt [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:41 am ]
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My goals for this year is to stick to my schedule and be very dilligent about not going over time on the builds. Also to keep up on my to build jig list and get my deflection jigs all up and running so this years guitars get into the "database". I want to explore the upper bout and work more with my transverse bridge brace and also keep the volume strong all the way up the neck without losing the overtones. And obviously feel more confident with the small details. Oh, and figure out the bevel cutaway. Lots to do! But mostly to be able to put my ideas about guitars aside when building for someone else so the guitar they get is what they want and not just what I wanted to make.
Author:  Dave Rickard [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:43 am ]
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I'm going to try to enjoy what I'm doing.
Author:  charliewood [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:44 am ]
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[QUOTE=Anthony Z] My 2008 goal is to hound Hesh (as the deserving dog he is) to produce more guitars and realize their commercial value. [note: no emoticons]

For me, finish the Quilted Archtop, Single O for my daughter....stretch objective get a couple of OM's started.

Oh yeah and play more guitar!

[/QUOTE]

Oh yeah and I agree with Anthony on this one -
That "Awww shucks" stuff aside Hesh - you are building Capital A Amazing instruments!!
Mabye its time for a career change?
or mabye even part time.... leisurely - just like you like it...
Cheers
Charlie
Author:  James Orr [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:55 am ]
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I've enjoyed considering a number of design things in the past few
months. "This is the type of guitar I would like to create. This is it's
sound, and this is its look." I'd like to complete two acoustics that get as
close as possible.
Author:  Robbie O'Brien [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 7:45 am ]
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Here is a little tip I learned from Kent Everett years ago and it has help me over the years. Perhaps as we begin the new year others will find it useful.

Make a chart by putting building steps on the left of the page. For example, side bending, gluing in blocks, installing kerfing, radiusing the rims, fretwork, neck shaping, finish etc. Then across the top of the page put the guitar number you are working on. When you are finished building that guitar use green, yellow or red markers to grade each step of the build process. For example: On guitar number X the side bending went well so I would put a green dot by this step. The fret work was average so put a yellow dot. The finish needs improvement so put a red dot. You can grade a half dozen guitars or so on a page. At a quick glance you can see which steps need improvement and which are consistently okay.   
Author:  burbank [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 8:25 am ]
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Wha???? 2008??!?!?!?!? Already???

Robbie,

That's a great tip, grading our guitars.


Here's last year's

I did OK. The guitars I wanted to build are done, pretty much, though a Terz I wanted to get done by spring is done except finish on the neck. Prolly be done before the year's end. My health issues sure did slow me down.

Here's my list for 2008. Build a dread for my daughter's annual school fundraiser, another on commission for a guy at our church.

Build a shop guitar for experiments.

Build a short guitar for me, perhaps like a 000-28 Norman Blake, or 12-fret L-00.

Enroll in Ervin's class for Feb 2009, or earlier if he offers it.

Author:  Dave Rector [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 8:31 am ]
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My goal for 2008 is to get the shop better organized. I'd like to build some cabinets, install central dust collection and build some more jigs to make my accuracy a little more consistant.

I might even sweep the floor if I have enough time.
Author:  David Myka [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 8:42 am ]
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This year is when I start to focus more on building acoustics and archtops (and hybrids too, of course). I have not had much time to devote to my own ideas due to current commissioned projects so my goal is to take fewer direct orders and work on the new designs I have been sketching out in my head over the years. So keeping more time for my own artistic pursuits is what I have in mind for 2008.

~David
Author:  KenH [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 8:45 am ]
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fit and finish are my weaknesses, but I am improving with every build. I would also like to be able to take some time to build better jigs and fixtures and to better organize my shop.
Author:  crich [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:01 am ]
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To build a guitar that I can play in public? Actually I'm happy with the sound, but the fit and finish,well.. Clinton
Author:  Colin S [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:39 am ]
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Just three instruments for 2008, one Spanish, one steel string and finish the archlute (no that'll probably be 2009!). My main goal is to play a lot more:-

1. Record the complete Dowland lute repertoire.

2. To learn a new Tarrega piece a month.

3. Play bottle neck better.

4. Visit the Shetland Isles to study the music.

To me it's about the music, building the instruments is a means to an end.

Colin
Author:  Mattia Valente [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:56 am ]
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1) Organise that pesky shop, so it stops devolving into chaos as soon as anything needs doing

2) Build a few more jigs and fixtures to help with 1

3) Finish 6 guitars (not going to happen before the end of this year), hopefully start and finish 2 more.
Author:  Lab1 [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:02 am ]
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I plan to build a new shop ......To build better instruments based on the mistakes I made in 2007..Build as many instruments as I possibly can. To enjoy the the process,,,not make  any commitments on when  is to be finished....It's finished, when it's finished . I plan on giving one to some charitable organization....God gave me the wonderful gift of being able to work with wood and I would like to give something back....Larry
Author:  Bruce Dickey [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:15 am ]
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Finish this row, to which another five are in it now. Old pic. Yep, out with the old and in with the new is my moniker for 2008.

Plus, I'd really like to get the floors swept...
Author:  Colin S [ Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:20 am ]
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Bruce you seem to be addicted to bending sides. Is it your favourite part of the process?

Colin
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