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Well I just finished up the First guitar built using some of the Lutz Spruce I got from Shane at High Mountain Tonewood and I am very Impressed. The guitar goes out tommorrow (Customer Is driving all the way up from Minniapolis to get it) but the sound and the beuty of this wood is really something. Sound wise I can't believe how great it is. This is probably the best sounding guitar I have ever built, loud, rich open tone and it looks beutiful too. I didn't try this wood befor because of all the hype built up by someone else selling it but I am going to start recomending this stuff to customers. Here are a couple of picks of the guitar.

Sorry the picture didn't turn out well. Lost quality when I tried to reduce them to post here.

Wow, Richard, that's a fine looking guitar! I can just see the "soft curl" that Shane was speaking about. Do you have enough of his tops to know if this is pretty consistant top to top?

Again, very nice guitar.

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

I bought 12 tops I think, and it seems to be quite consistant. THis just might be the best wood I've found for the money yet.

Very Nice Richard. Shane's Spruce is Great. I have a billet I got from him and I just started cutting into it today. It's very beautiful Spruce. Great Tap Tone too.
Again, that is a stunning guitar.

Richard, that's one lovely looking guitar! Shane's wood is to your liking -- but it still takes someone with your skill to really make it sing!! I hope with your new job you still find time use your remaining stash of tops!

Wow Richard that is some nice looking guitar, a real stunner! I agree with Anthony, the wood isn't much without the skills to bring it alive. By the looks of your work those skills are most definately there. Thanks for the kind words about the wood and for sharing your astonishing work work with us. I really hope things work out well for you over the next while!

Shane

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Canada

Great looking guitar, Richard!

Dang, now you're forcing me to get some of that Lutz spruce too.

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Richard,Great job! I love the shape of that cutaway!
More reason for us to gobble up some of that Lutz.

Shane, better start looking for that next great tree.

must..resist..urge..to...buy...more...spruce...

*sigh*

It won't last, this. I can feel it.

She's a beauty, Richard!

Very nice Richard!

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Beautiful work, Richard.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

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

Shane:
I have some of your Lutz tops and will be building with it within the next few weeks. I can't remember what the wood is a hybrid of. Will you please refresh my memory? I can see some Sitka-ish in it but is it crossed with White, Engleman or both?

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

Great looking Richard...I think the customer will love the look (that always seems to be first impression) but then will be bowled over by the sound.

Most guitars look roughly the same fro a distance and then as you get closer the looks and level of craftsmanship come next but the sound is what really hooks them.

I won some of Shane's Lutz tops in the auction at this years A.S.I.A. Symposium and have been really impressed with it as well.

Richard, great looking guitar!

I was happy to see the pics, I have 3 of Shanes tops waiting for me in the shop. As soon as I get caught up with other stuff I'm gonna have to build something using them.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Hi Tim,

In the area where I harvest Lutz is a hybrid between Sitka and White spruce below 3500 feet elevation. At higher elevations it will be a hybrid of all three. I harvest between 900 and 1300 feet so the hybrid you have is Sitka/White.

Shane

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Canada

I ordered 5 tops from shane as well. I'm really looking forward to using it. I'll be using it for one guitar I'm taking to Montreal next year. I'll be sure to give my report on my impressions when I get it!

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

[QUOTE=John Mayes] I ordered 5 tops from shane as well. I'm really looking forward to using it. I'll be using it for one guitar I'm taking to Montreal next year. I'll be sure to give my report on my impressions when I get it![/QUOTE]
Me too ;)

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

Well Collen Buckman from Minniapolis picked up the guitar today and she really loved it, she almost started crying. Everyone who has heard and played it have been blown away by the sound, full and rich. I really appreciate everyone's kind words and yes I will continue to build this year in the free time I find. Exciting new job and a lot of work but I'll still be able to find free time. This week I spent two days tracking down the kids of a couple who were on the run from the Hells angles and hoping from house to house to keep ahead of them. Kind of neat getting to go into houses acompanied by police in flack jackets. I hadn't realised that the cops need a warant to go into houses but if we ask them to go in with us for protection no warant is needed. Lots of arrest s made that day. I do miss the tranquill life of lutherie

Congratulations on fine build and on one happy customer Richard! Accaldes are well deserved!

Shane

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Canada

[QUOTE=Tim McKnight] [QUOTE=John Mayes] I ordered 5 tops from shane as well. I'm really looking forward to using it. I'll be using it for one guitar I'm taking to Montreal next year. I'll be sure to give my report on my impressions when I get it![/QUOTE]
Me too ;)[/QUOTE]


Ok... I am going to publically show my ignorance.

What's in Montreal?

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Nice cutaway.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

[QUOTE=Brock Poling] [QUOTE=Tim McKnight] [QUOTE=John Mayes] I ordered 5 tops from shane as well. I'm really looking forward to using it. I'll be using it for one guitar I'm taking to Montreal next year. I'll be sure to give my report on my impressions when I get it![/QUOTE]
Me too ;)[/QUOTE]


Ok... I am going to publically show my ignorance.

What's in Montreal?[/QUOTE]

Montreal Musician and Musical Instrument Show.
Ive been invited as well, I spoke with Arno Ziegler on Friday, not sure I can make it, but I am considering it.

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Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Richard,

Well, I'll add to the chorus -- that's a mighty fine looking guitar. I gotta ask, though -- is the body one of your own designs? It is really sweet looking.

I too am a big fan of Lutz. Tell ya what, it works fantastic for classicals, too. Who needs Euro when you got Lutz to build with?

Best,

Michael

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Live to Play, Play to Live

Thanks michael, I acually think I might like this better than red spruce even. Time will tell. The body is my version of the Gibson J-185. Same basic shape and bracing but just a little smaller. I call it my small jumbo or SJ model. Dimensions: Body Length 20-1/8” upper Width 11-1/2” Lower Width 16” waist 9" Max. Depth 4-3/4”.