Official Luthiers Forum!

Here are a bunch of photos I finally got around to taking outside today.

This is my #2...aka Deux. It was built in Robbie O'Briens class at Red Rocks Community College this past Spring Semester.

- Size 14, 14 Fret, 24.5" Scale
- Primavera Back and Sides (in person, its got a great reflective almost curly quality)
- Sitka Top
- KTM 9 Back and Sides, French Polish Top & Neck.
- Mahogany Neck with Purpleheart and Carbon Fiber Laminates
- Snakewood Bindings, Headplate, and Fret Markers
- Planet Waves Auto Trim Gold Tuners
- K & K Western Pickup (mini)







This one shows the figure in the top fairly well:


The moon for a soundport may be a little campy/kitchy, but it has much to do with the Primavera Wood. Its harvested with the rise and fall of the moon, so its not just some random planetary/etherial thing going on.


This photo caught some of the reflective quality I was talking about with the Primavera.




A little better view of the florentine tip:




The fret markers and position dots are really tough to see in a dark club...probably too subtle. I'll go for more contrasting colors next time. Maybe even as a replacement on this one.


View from the sound port to the purpleheart laminated heel block.


Another Sound Port Shot of the Side X-Braces laminated with Purpleheart, Maple, and Carbon Fiber.


Wow, thats a lot of photos. Let me know if I need to pull some of those to take up less HD space. Sorry.

Robbies classroom instruction is absolutely fantastic, but the forum has been an incredible resource as well. Thanks to all of you who've been so sharing, giving, and kind to us newbies.

-j.

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

Very nice looking guitar J.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

J.
Very cool. I love the moon theme....headstock and soundport. Just a
beautiful guitar.
Your side supports are in an X. I have never seen that. Was that Robbies
idea?????
Here is a novice question...what is Primavera. I am not familiar with it

Great guitar

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

Great work....looks great!

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

Andy,

I'm afraid I have to take the blame for the side X-s. They're part of a theory I'm tossing around about stiffening up the sides without adding much weight.
I imagine the top as a large billow moving air and energy to create the actual sound. I was thinking that if the sides were stiffer, they would serve as better supports for the billow and allow the top to act as independantly as possible and hopefully efficiently.
It may be a crock and just something to blow a whole bunch of time and energy getting these dang things to fit right, but I think the sound is amazing. Loud as heck, too.
It might not have anything whatsoever to do with the side X-braces, but maybe it does. My sides aren't much more than 2mm thick, so I would imagine anything helps.

Primavera is an open pore lighter wood also known as White Mahogony. Looks very similar to mahogany, although it is in a different family. I picked some up from Mitch at Tropical Exotic Hardwoods in Carlsbad. One of the very reasonably priced woods in there. He's got a ton on back and side sets in there, plus I picked up a large board and resawed some myself. I really like the way it works and finishes.

-j.j.Brown38935.8054398148

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

Wow, J.,

Nice one! Or should I say two?

Love the primavera and the port. Good work!

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now known around here as Pat Foster
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Very nice guitar!I like the looks of the Primavera!

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

J, your Deux looks fantastic, love the soundport, the rosette, the headstock and that primavera!

Gorgeous guitar!

Beautiful guitar. Nice work
Jeff

Congratulations J on another job well done! The pictures are really nice. The ideas and creativity you bring to the class are refreshing and inspiring. Folks, this is one of the best sounding guitars I have ever heard...and I have heard a few.

Thanks J.
I have been buying my cocobolo from Mitch. He is only a 15 minute drive
from my house!!!

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

A beautiful guitar! I love alternative woods, and that Primavera is striking. Nice job.

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Oh My, nice, J. Brown! Thanks for the pics...

Nice work, J.! Deux deux that voodeux that you deux so well!

Totally sweetical, J!!! Great choice of woods, great design, and I can't wait
to hear it. I love the pics through the moon too.

I don't think anyone can tell from the pictures either, but J did a really
cool bevel around the headstock. Maybe you can give us a closeup j???

Mike

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Mike

"The Dude abides. I don't know about you but I take comfort in that. It's good knowin' he's out there. The Dude. Takin' 'er easy for all us sinners. Shoosh." The Stranger

Very nice. Thanks for posting the pictures.

Outstanding J

I'm a big fan of cut-aways and oooooh that snakewood!

Very cool!

Thanks for all the pics.

Deux...hmmm that's French......

Serge, do we have another Frenchman/Francophone?

J, Maybe you need to give Deux to Serge. He speaks Deux's "language"

Jeanne, we have 2 Alain and a Laurent who are speaking better French than mine, not counting Shawn who speaks it also and Billy Dean Thomas who knows a few words!

But i'd take it anytime, it would be my deuxieme gift!

Thanks for correcting me Serge

Jeanne, nothing to be shy about, my French is rather slang when i talk so i should be the one putting this face

J'apprecie votre interet pour ma langue maternelle cependant! Vous etes tres gentille!

Nice looking guitar J!

Serge, don't forget Mario, I believe he is a francophone too.

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice

It's all good! Nice photos too! I like the shape, cutaway, and detail inside the box too!

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

Thanks for the kind words, everyone Its an honor to be a part of such an incredible group.

-j.

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

Nice guitar, good job. The cutaway looks sharp!

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin