Official Luthiers Forum!

Hey guys, I'm looking to put on my armor and subject myself to some candid criticism from people who know enough to offer it. If there are other people in So Cal who, like me, are still developing their skills and want some candid critiques from other builders, perhaps we could arrange a "So Cal Put on Your Armor Get Together."

Let's face it, it's hard to improve unless you know what you need to improve. In the beginning, that was easy. I made huge and obvious blunders. Binding gaps, unrepaired sand-throughs, excessively high action.

After I worked past those issues, I had to look a little harder to identify areas for improvement. I started studying the details of the great work that gets posted here and elsewhere. I went to Healdsburg last year and checked out some very fine work by many of you! Looking at the cool details all of you incorporate in your work inspired me to start mitering my purflings, making wood rosettes, making heel caps that continue the body's purfling lines around the heel, and working on numerous other details that really impressed me and that have really improved my instruments.

Player feedback is great, and I seek it out at every opportunity, but there's a lot of things that a player may not know enough to suggest. I'd love to get some brutal feedback from other builders.

So is anyone interested in a Southern California "Put on Your Armor" get together? It doesn't need to be tomorrow. It might even be prudent to give interested people a few months to finish their latest build, so that they can bring work that most reflects the current state of their skills. Any takers?

Sounds great.... I am in....assuming I am not working

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

I'm in. not much to contribute- still on numero uno- but will appreciate the comraderie.

Dean

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Dean

Kelby,

I would certainly think about coming by as long as I am in town and don’t have a poker tournament. It would be interesting to see what others are doing and to meet a few OLFers. Unfortunately, I have few woodworking skills and even less tools and space but that hasn’t stopped me yet. However, if you want to add a Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament to the get-together then I can bring a poker table, cards, and chips.

Philip

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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.

Hi Kelby....
I'm all in..
Let's plan and do it!!!

walter

Hi Kelby,

count me in too.

Jim J

Sounds good. When and Where?

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

Gawd, I thought we were mixing woodworking and SCA heavy fighting. Got me on that one.

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Aoibeann

Sounds like we have critical mass!

As far where: I'm open, but I would be happy to play host here in beautiful Tustin, California. Orange County, for those who aren't familiar. It's nothing too fancy, but I have a great BBQ out back and all are welcome.

If that's not central enough, though, I don't mind driving to anyplace else that's more convenient.

As far as when: How much time would people like to finish their current build(s)? Should we shoot toward the end of the year, or are people more anxious than that? I'm pretty flexible.

A get together sounds good to me. Tustins good with me. I'll bring the steaks!! Between Thanksgiving and Christmas would work for me

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

I'll agree with Joe. I'm a few hours north but the time and place sounds do-able. Keep us updated.