Official Luthiers Forum!

I showed Hesh the bridge on my old L-00 and he asked for more so here
she is. All black and white. It's hard to tell how old she is exactly but the
consensus I've come to accept is 1932-1934. She's light as a feather and
sound like a million bucks. I think it took 15 seconds to go from D chord
to wrap it up for me!!!

I included a shot of the back braces to give you an idea about just
how light these guitars are braced. I measured all the braces at some
point but I can't seem to find where numbers are right now. I think the X
brace clocked in at aprox. 7mm wide by 15mm tall and they are tapered
almost to a sharp point on top.   


This one also has a floating fingerboard extension, almost like a
mandolin. It makes the bridge a bit taller that what you would expect for
a flat top guitar and it took a little while from my right had to get used to
the strings being higher off the body.

Take a look:






Enjoy!

LouisLouis405239030.5373611111

_________________
- Louis Freilicher

Oh No! Not another learning experience!

Here are those braces again!








Louis

_________________
- Louis Freilicher

Oh No! Not another learning experience!

Nice.

Got to love the good old days when large glue runs were acceptable eh?

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I notice the solid linings and the cloth strips on the sides...and the glue run.

_________________
Mark Swanson
Swanson Guitars
http://www.MarkSwansonMusic.com

Louis, is the bridge laquered like the rest of the gitar or is it ebony? That is a nice looking guitar there.

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice

Does anyone out there do that floating fret board? CLinton

I also am interested in the floating fret board idea.

Thanks all! She’s a great guitar, glue drips and all. I don't think they are
"all original" because the most of the neck reset is sloppy.

Joe, the bridge is ebonized rosewood. The finish looks different than the
black lacquer on the guitar, but it is shinier than just a stained bridge
would be.

Hesh, I can't wait to see more of your L-00, soon I hope!


Cheers,

Louis

_________________
- Louis Freilicher

Oh No! Not another learning experience!

Charles Fox makes his new "Ergo" model with a floating fretboard. I think you can see it at ergo.com. That guitar uses a soundboard consisting of two spruce plates, .030" thick, with a honeycomb center of synthetic stuff. These are all glued together and pressed into a 12' radius mold to give more strength.

That allows him to use only two transverse braces under the top, one above and one below the soundhole. These are drilled with holes every inch or so to lighten them up. The rest of the top is unbraced inside. I played one and found perfect balance until the high E came along, and it was noticeably quieter. I pointed this out, suggesting that his bridge was the cause. He said he'd just put a 13 on it. Hmmm. But I don't blame him for not wanting to flow the bridge--it was a laminate with red in the middle, and the cool lines would change with resurfacing. Yours for only $15,000.

I, too, like the idea of a floating fretboard, or at least one that is part of the neck, like Taylor's, for ease in neck angle adjustment. Mike Doolan and Harry Fleishmann have their adjustable neck designs written up in the summer, 2006 issue of "American Lutherie". It looks like a lot of work, but might just be worth it.

Scott

Thanks Louis, very nice indeed!

Hesh, when you come to the next MGL meeting I bet that you could ask Eldon Whitford to bring along his L-00 which used to be Norman Blake's guitar, and he also has a Gibson Century which is a high-end version and it has the same elevated fingerboard. I know how to get in touch with him if you don't....

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Mark Swanson
Swanson Guitars
http://www.MarkSwansonMusic.com