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Back from a 4 week hitch on a rig off the coast of New Zealand and have been busy in the workshop trying to get the classical finished. Finished off the FP body coats and got the bridge glued on and set up the instrument. Not one buzz or rattle....I cant believe it. The instrument is based on one of Torres guitars and has IRW sides and back and a Sitka spruce top. Neck is Spanish Cedar and rosette is a stock standard ready made one from Stewmac.

The sound.....fairly balanced with a slight bias towards bass, Volume and sustain are surprisingly good for an instrument of it size and neck mass.

In case anyone is wondering about the serious look on my face...Im waiting for the bridge to pop off and go flying past my ear.




kiwigeo39047.2708564815

Martin, nice, very nice. which Torres guitar is this based on? I've just started a guitar based on FE19. There must be something about geologists and Torres!

Can you post a sound clip?

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Martin - very nice! Now you'll have to learn how to hold it

(Actually, I was surprised how comfortable the left leg position is once you get used to it. It gives you a lot more access to the really wide fretboard.)

Jim

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Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

Very Nice!

Hey Martin, way to go my friend, she looks beautiful and elegant, great craftmanship!

NICE SHIRT !!!

Very cool!! Well done!

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Great job!

She looks fantastic in all respects! Keep up the great work!

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

[QUOTE=jtkirby] Martin - very nice! Now you'll have to learn how to hold it

(Actually, I was surprised how comfortable the left leg position is once you get used to it. It gives you a lot more access to the really wide fretboard.)

Jim [/QUOTE]

Jim, you must be a teacher! Im holding the thing a bit precariously because the shellac is not rock hard and Ive also got a few issues with my back at present...sitting is not good for it.

Thanks for the positive comments guys.

Cheers Martin

[QUOTE=Colin S] Which Torres guitar is this based on? I've just started a guitar based on FE19. There must be something about geologists and Torres!

[/QUOTE]

Colin, the design came out of Courtnal's book. I'll have to haul it out and check which Torres model it is.

Cheers Martin

Martin, do yourself a favour. If you haven't already got a copy go out and buy Romanillos' book on Torres. It'll be the best money you ever spent.


Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Martin,
Congrantulations.
Looks really nice. How do you like sitka for a classical top?

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

[QUOTE=Colin S] Martin, do yourself a favour. If you haven't already got a copy go out and buy Romanillos' book on Torres. It'll be the best money you ever spent.

Colin
[/QUOTE]

Colin, Romanillos' book was added to my library a long time ago. Yes, it is an excellent book and the story of Torres life is a fascinating one.

[QUOTE=Jim_W] How do you like sitka for a classical top?[/QUOTE]

Sitka an easy wood to work with and the tone is good. My next instrument will be of similar design but using Englemann for the top, just for comparison. Ive got a pile of red cedar that needs to get used so I guess classical No 3 will have a cedar top.

[QUOTE=kiwigeo] [QUOTE=jtkirby] Martin - very nice! Now you'll have to learn how to hold it

(Actually, I was surprised how comfortable the left leg position is once you get used to it. It gives you a lot more access to the really wide fretboard.)

Jim [/QUOTE]

Jim, you must be a teacher! Im holding the thing a bit precariously because the shellac is not rock hard and Ive also got a few issues with my back at present...sitting is not good for it.

Thanks for the positive comments guys.

Cheers Martin[/QUOTE]

Ouch, back problems are a bear. I didn't set foot in the shop for 6 months in 2005 because of mine. Hope you are on the mend.

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Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

Nice looking instrument Martin . Beautiful rosette too.

Very nice work .

Hey ! ,, That's my T-shirt

Regards

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CRAIG LAWRENCE of AUSTRALIA
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Congrats...looks good...

So have you been bitten by the Torres Classical bug...once infected it will be hard to think of building a steel string or at least that is what happened to me

If you want to see posture...check out how some flamenco players sit...

Noice! Isn't the string stretching a pain though?...WarrenG39048.4650462963

[QUOTE=WarrenG] Noice! Isn't the string stretching a pain though?...[/QUOTE]

Better the string stretching rather than the guitar!! A nervous moment when you first string up to full tension....note how Im seated well out of line of fire for the bridge should it come free!

Hey Martin,

She looks fine, you must be well pleased, fancy being one of the few who can not only own a hand built instrument, but can also build one in what ever style takes their fancy. What a cool craft this is

Well Done M8, whats next???

Cheers

Kim

Whats next?

1. Get the neck on a steel string..first time doing a dovetail M and T joint. Its proving a challenge...have written off one neck already.

2. Work on 12 string to match instrument above.

3. Planning for a 10 string classical.

Cheers Martin

Martin, Congrats looks fantastic. I'm too intimidated to even attempt a classical. Beautiful and elegant, nice work.

Martin, that's a fine looking instrument!
I'm interested in your next two builds, and what your impressions of the differences are between the different tops. It takes a brave man to put Sitka on a classical.
I'd like your thoughts on how it compares with the Engelmann. Can you have that done in a couple of weeks?

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com