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Irving Sloane Revisited
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Author:  DP LaPlante [ Sun Dec 16, 2007 6:06 am ]
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This guitar may look familiar to some of you, it was built by Irving Sloane in 1965 and is one of two that he built to illustrate his seminal book "Classic Guitar Construction" published in 1966.


A New Jersey guitar dealer friend of mine bought this from a local fellow who was from Ridgewood (where Mr. Sloane was living at the time) and a neighbor who acquired it from the author and owned it for many years. Of course I bought it as this was one of the guitars that inspired me (and thousands of others) way back when.


The most interesting thing is that even though the illustrations in the book imply this was braced in the standard Torres pattern, it actually is braced like the Bouchet illustration on page 16!


Anyone else have a special feeling for that book?  
Author:  JohnAbercrombie [ Sun Dec 16, 2007 6:22 am ]
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David-
Thanks for that little 'trip down memory lane'!
My first effort at guitar building (in '76) was a classical built straight from Sloane's book, using a 'kit' (box of rough wood and a set of tuners) from Bill Lewis in Vancouver. It was the 'bottom of the line' kit from Lewis- sapele b+s and cedar top, Sp. cedar neck, braz RW bridge and bindings. The top was really lovely- I haven't seen much stuff like that recently- at any price.
The guitar is still going strong- one of my nephews fortunately is more sentimental than I am and rescued it from the "Stuff going to the auction' pile when I moved out west about 10 yrs ago.

Cheers
John
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Sun Dec 16, 2007 7:16 am ]
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Wow, yes, David.  That was the first book that really made me have an interest in guitar construction.  I had the Wallo plan and book, but it didn't seem nearly as interesting.  Sloan put things so well, and wrote the book in a way to draw you in to the process.

How does that guitar sound?
Author:  DP LaPlante [ Sun Dec 16, 2007 7:23 am ]
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It sounds quite good Waddy. There are some things about it that lack sophistcation (the neck shaping for one) but all in all it is quite charming.


I think the thing that made Sloane's book so influential is that as an artist and graphic designer, he was able to illustrate the process with an aesthetic that was powerfully attractive to many who wanted to be involved in such an appealing activity.


 


 
Author:  Alexandru Marian [ Sun Dec 16, 2007 7:26 am ]
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Is that a rather large plantilla, or am i wrong...
Author:  DP LaPlante [ Sun Dec 16, 2007 7:34 am ]
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It is actually on the small side, but is quite rounded in the upper bout especially. It looks unlike a Hauser or other plantillas which are flatter where they join the neck and adjacent to the waist.


I know that Sloane lived in Belgium after this period and was a friend of Bouchet's. This guitar is rather reminiscent of a Bouchet in plantilla and the rossette, and as I mentioned braced in the Bouchet pattern.  
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Sun Dec 16, 2007 7:52 am ]
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19" is the length.  That doesn't seem overly large.  Probably about average.  Same as a Barbero Flamenco.
Author:  Mike Collins [ Sun Dec 16, 2007 9:08 am ]
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Dave -I love Sloanes Books!
He showed us the way guitars were build in the old style!
With traditional tools(except the side bender)
Which is very important!!
I value my collection of guitarmaking books and my Sloane ones especially! I got the first in 1977!

I have a set of his tuners that I got directly from him in 1987(We talked on the phone twice for about an hour) when he was in Millerton New York before he had to hire help to get all the tuners made!
he sent me a picture of them with his hand-written message on the back about the tuners!
I still have it !!!

Of course Waverly & he made a deal for them to produce those tuners and they are absolutly great!

Man what a great guitar to own!

Mike

Author:  DP LaPlante [ Sun Dec 16, 2007 9:21 am ]
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Another thing that I forgot to mention Mike is that in his book was the first time I ever was exposed to pictures of guitars by the great builders...................
Author:  FishtownMike [ Sun Dec 16, 2007 12:02 pm ]
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I don't have the classic guitar construction but I have his steel string construction, guitar repair and his making musical instruments all of them great books. I've been wanting to pick his classic book i'm gonna have to get it. I have sen a few old copies on ebay.
Author:  Bruce Dickey [ Sun Dec 16, 2007 1:40 pm ]
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A picture of this guitar is on page 88 or 89. Is one maple and the other one rosewood? Which is this one?

Lillian, sold me this little Sloane book in the Swap Meet. Pretty cool and retro to boot.
Author:  DP LaPlante [ Sun Dec 16, 2007 1:55 pm ]
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The pics on pg 88 and 89 are both of this guitar.
Author:  DP LaPlante [ Sun Dec 16, 2007 1:59 pm ]
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Here is another shot of the headstock for comparison purposes:
Author:  douglas ingram [ Sun Dec 16, 2007 2:43 pm ]
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Now THAT'S a find!  Especially nice because if its personal significance to you.  That, and the fact that you had the ability to secure its purchase when it became available.

I'd be interested in know more about its details, sound, etc. well, more than you've already noted.
Author:  DP LaPlante [ Sun Dec 16, 2007 3:00 pm ]
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Doug, the details are well covered in the book but what would you like to know?


Best
Author:  J.R. Hunter [ Sun Dec 16, 2007 3:42 pm ]
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What an awesome piece of history! Glad it's not in some museum but in the hands of someone who can truly appreciate it!


Thanks for sharing!


J.R.
Author:  douglas ingram [ Sun Dec 16, 2007 3:47 pm ]
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Well...the things that the book doesn't describe-things that an author can't say about their own work.  Subjective stuff.
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Sun Dec 16, 2007 3:59 pm ]
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[QUOTE=FishtownMike]I don't have the classic guitar construction but I have his steel string construction, guitar repair and his making musical instruments all of them great books. I've been wanting to pick his classic book i'm gonna have to get it. I have sen a few old copies on ebay.[/QUOTE]

Here are a bunch of used ones.  I have bought a lot of books through AbeBooks.com, and have had very good experiences.  Make sure you read the descriptions.  Most of these used book dealers are pretty specific about condition.
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Sun Dec 16, 2007 4:05 pm ]
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I just looked at the last one listed on that list I posted the link to.

The guy wants $104.95 for it.  It has no tears present, but shipping is free. I think I would buy one in very good condition with mild wear on the edges of the dust jacket for less than $10.00, even if you do have to pay shipping.
Author:  JimWomack [ Mon Dec 17, 2007 12:22 am ]
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I had both the SS and classical books years ago back in college. Now I have neither. Need to correct that. He had some clever shop-built tools and jigs illustrated in those books. I built my first, a classical in 1976 using those books. Great memories, David thanks. I hope you enjoy your latest acquisition. A piece of Lutherie history to be sure.
Author:  Mike Collins [ Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:43 am ]
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Yes Dave I agree -It was my first exposure to the guitars of the old Masters!
I cherish my old copy!
A friend of mine in highschool(that's how I was first introduced to it) build a guitar using that book and it sounds great!!!
His son still plays it!
i had to reglue the bridge a few years back-but this guy was no wood worker-but he lit the spark in me when I saw the woods and jigs -etc.!!!


I hope to see ya soon!
I've got some glue for ya!
mike
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