Official Luthiers Forum!

I just ordered a set of OLF SJ plans and I don't know much about it.
I have been building a lot of OM/000 guitars.
What are its best features? How is it different? Tone diffs??? etc etc
I would love some picts etc
This body size seems to be EXTREMELY popular on this forum

Andy

BTW John (Blues Creek) I assume you have a mold and bending form to
match this plan?????

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

The shape is basicly a condensed jumbo shape, It is loader than the typical OM. Very similar in voice to a Grand Concert. Tone depends a lot on wood and bracing. My bracing i.e. the bracing on the drawing is lighter than most build to, but I find this bracing dims is plenty strong enough and makes this box really resonant.

Yep John has the mold and bending forms. be aware this will not fit the Access Stage 5 Small body case due to the 15 1/2" lower boutMichaelP38744.675462963

[QUOTE=MichaelP]be aware this will not fit the Access Stage 5 Small body case due to the 15 1/2" lower bout[/QUOTE]

BUT...Ameritage has a case designed specifically for this guitar....Check them out.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

[QUOTE=Hesh1956] I just finished my second OLF SJ and you will love this shape/size.

First off it's a bigger box hence more sound so it's a louder guitar all things being equal that is.....

The waist is a bit of a tighter curve so bending sides and binding will be a little tighter in those areas.

And Yes John has a mold and a bending form for the OLF SJ and John is where I bought my mold and form.

Personally I like holding OOO/OMs best of all and dreads least of all but the SJ is in the middle in terms of playing comfort for me.

Our own Michael Payne drew up the plans and the plans are great with all details covered. Also, the plans are not over braced like some of the other plans available from vendors.

As far as tone differences it probably has more bass but then again it's louder too and that may be why I am noticing this.[/QUOTE]

Hesh did you use the X back or the Ladder. Yep I braced a lot lighter than most. Really makes this box sing

[QUOTE=Don Williams] [QUOTE=MichaelP]be aware this will not fit the Access Stage 5 Small body case due to the 15 1/2" lower bout[/QUOTE]

BUT...Ameritage has a case designed specifically for this guitar....Check them out.[/QUOTE]

Yea but Access will soon have SJ caces ready to go!

Have we had this conversation before?

yes...we've had this convo before...but remember....you get what you pay for....Ameritage is second only to Calton cases. And, the dealer cost makes them very affordable.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

I agree that if after the best possible first Claton then Ameritage. But these are a great value. If you have not seen one up close and personal it hard to amagin. They beat the heck out of TKLMichaelP38744.7299652778

I developed the x on my OMs I get a bit more complex tone I believe More bass with out a loss of sustain. I have on my last two SJs added two braces between the x arms on the back (one each side now a star instead of x). I did not have any probles before but because of the big round lower bout I though it would be a good idea. It did bring the bass down just a little but bass has never been an issue with the SJMichaelP38744.6999537037

I've had the ameritage cases (nice cases protection wise), as well as the
Access. The Access case is a much better bang for the buck (protection
wise the Ameritage case wins, but looks wise it gets dogged by the
access, and TKL to my preference). I don't like the exterior of the
Ameritage cases, nor do I like the furry interior (I prefer the velvet like,
but ameritage may offer this..I just have not seen it), plus the ameritage
cases are really heavy to lug around. That said they do offer a lot of
protection and I suppose that is that a case is all about, but they lack in
the looks category to me, as well as not many people need that level or
protection, when they can get something more than sufficient for much
less money. But that's just my preference. And yes the Access Cases do
stomp the TKL cases.

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

What's the lower bout width on the SJ? 15.5"?

[QUOTE=Mattia Valente] What's the lower bout width on the SJ? 15.5"?[/QUOTE]

yep

John How is going send me dims on the OLF Thank You guitar. Soon As I get them I will get started. It is a over size parlot I believe.MichaelP38744.7221990741

[QUOTE=Don Williams] yes...we've had this convo before...but remember....you get what you pay for....Ameritage is second only to Calton cases. And, the dealer cost makes them very affordable.[/QUOTE]

I agree Ameritage are unbelievable cases.

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

[QUOTE=John Mayes] I've had the ameritage cases (nice cases protection wise), as well as the
Access. The Access case is a much better bang for the buck (protection
wise the Ameritage case wins, but looks wise it gets dogged by the
access, and TKL to my preference). I don't like the exterior of the
Ameritage cases, nor do I like the furry interior (I prefer the velvet like,
but ameritage may offer this..I just have not seen it), plus the ameritage
cases are really heavy to lug around. That said they do offer a lot of
protection and I suppose that is that a case is all about, but they lack in
the looks category to me, as well as not many people need that level or
protection, when they can get something more than sufficient for much
less money. But that's just my preference. And yes the Access Cases do
stomp the TKL cases.[/QUOTE]

Funny, but I've seen just about every case that's made except the Access, but I like the looks of the Ameritage better than any of them. I've seen the high end Cedar Creek, all levels of TKL, etc etc, but I like the Ameritage best. Yes, I would prefer a real velvet inside, but what typically comes with TKL and Cedar Creek is a cheap crushed velvet, not a good one. Personal preference I suppose, but I'll stick with Ameritage. Heavier? Yes. That come with being more solidly built.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

I like the looks of this guitar and it does appear to be popular with OLF members. Do you think this would be a good first guitar? I guess I will try to bend on a pipe and most likely use the simplest of tools. Top wood will probably be Lutz from Shane and I’ve become partial to Bubinga for B/S. I kind of like flamed maple too but I really don’t know anything about bending these woods or if weight is a factor. Even quilted mahogany is not out of the question. Maybe you guys have an idea of wood for B/S that might be manageable for a first timer with a pipe. I will use EIR if I need to but the guitar is for my father and all his guitars are EIR. Thanks for any advice.   

Philip

_________________
aka konacat

If you think my playing is bad you should hear me sing!
Practice breeds confidence and confidence breeds competence. Unfortunately, I'm stuck in practice.

Philip the SJ is a very nice body style and I'm sure your dad will like it. All the woods you mention are very good tonewoods however for your first build and bending on a hot pipe I think I would go with something a bit more user friendly I'm not saying you can't do it as I have no idea of your level of skill. Bending on a pipe requires a certain amount of finnese and practice. IRW, walnut, cherry, sycamore would be better choices for a first attempt IMHO.

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Philip, BobC is right, and if you new to lutherie, i would recommend you either take the time to build yourself a bender(3-200watts bulbs or heat blanket) or buy one from John Hall at blues creek guitars, it'll make the bending part a lot easier and safer. You could keep the pipe for smaller bending ie ukes or mandos I received lutz spruce from Shane Neifer lately and it's just bayoutifull! For the tonewoods, i too ordered EIR and was advised here in the same way! Wwhatever you do, stay safe, good luck and please share pics aweright?

Regards

Serge

Walnut is fairly inexpensive (well not the insanely figured stuff... but regular q/s stock is) and it bends like plastic. I think that is a good wood to start with.

Besides it looks and sounds great.   

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

Thanks for the thoughts. I'm still in the planning stages but am always grateful for the information and support of you guys and all the other OLF members.

Philip

_________________
aka konacat

If you think my playing is bad you should hear me sing!
Practice breeds confidence and confidence breeds competence. Unfortunately, I'm stuck in practice.