Official Luthiers Forum!

Just wondering what the experts here think of this tail wedge. I used it on my proto of the L-00 that I have just about finished. I wanted to see whether I liked it without the purfling lines on either side and I also wanted to try a slightly curved design instead of my usual straight wedge. If you think it sucks please feel free to say so, as I haven't made up my mind whether I like it or not. Thanks for you input!

_________________
Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

i have seen and admired the curved style wedges by several makers. personally, i like it to be in dissimilar wood and include the lines but that is purely a matter of personal taste.

yours is well executed, and the glue line almost gives the impression of a thin added line as the eye registers the difference between the grain direction.

Dave, I agree with Michael that it looks very well done, but I, too, prefer more contrast. I'm sure there are just as many people who like it this way as the other, though. It's very subjective.

Ron

_________________
OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Thanks for the comments guys! So, no one really misses the purf lines then? Seems the comments lean more to the wedge having more contrast with the side wood.

What I was really trying to do on this one was find a way to do it all with a router so it is quick and easy, with little chance for me to hose it up.

Geeze, that pic really shows those sanding scratches doesn't it? Guess I need to go over that one again.

_________________
Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

I like it, but I believe symetry in the shape would make it even stronger.
I'm not sure about the purfling. I believe symetry and a purfling that
matches your binding would really sell it.

It's hard with this darker wood. I really like what you're doing with the
contrasting direction of grane and the curves. I what would really sell it
for me would be the symetrical design I mentioned, with a black purfling
just to help define it even more. But I don't like the black purfling with an
unmatching binding.

I'm a moderate

I like it for it's subtleness Dave, it is elegant and attractive to the eye IMO.

I'm with Serge...I think it's elegant.

_________________
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

Thanks Serge and Bill!

James, I'm not quite sure what you mean by symmetry? Do you mean because the grain is different across the piece of wood used for the wedge? The shape is symmetrical, at least as much as I can get it.

This is exactly why I came here for comments! Always get honest opinions from the OLFers.

_________________
Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

I think it blows!   

   Actually, it's not bad it just needs a little more, IMO! The mind likes contrast which can mean all kinds of things. I really like the stab at doing something different, I admire that a lot, and also posting for us to see because we all learn.

     I may have some suggestions, you considering the understated nature of the wood combinations this frees up the shape for some really radical contours or maybe a black/wood/black purfling. One, perhaps, could sweep with a 3" or 4" radius way out from centerline. One could do the wedge cut on a chevron with a center splice, or even a small checkerboard.

     It sounds to me like you're looking for simplicity but also tasteful, so maybe these suggestion wouldn't work for you but they may give somebody else ideas.

I really wanted to thank you for posting and starting a discussion, and I don't think it that's bad just a little plain. IMHO! Taste is extraordinarily subjective.

Thanks Dave!!
Billy Dean Thomas

_________________
Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

I like it.

Simple can be elegant; I've been using a piece from the sides or the back of the same guitar as the end graft for a good while. The contrast comes from the grain running at opposite the side's. No purfling most of the time, either. Puts the emphasis on good joinery instead of hiding same.

I like it very much Dave, my favourite style of tail graft always uses the same wood as the B&S just with the grain orientated perpendicular to the sides just as you have done,and as Mario has said. I don't like over-ornamented guitars anyway, and with the simple un-purfled (is that a word?) binding and side-wood end graft I think you have not only shown great style and taste but also highlighted your mastery of the material.

I would be very proud to have done it,love it!

Colin

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

I loved it at first sight and it is definitely growing on me also BTW. one more thing, it reminds me of how Russell Rose made his guitar elegant by using EIR bindings with vey thin white purfling line on his guitar that had EIR back and sides, no big contrast there but still very elegant nonetheless.

Dave, I love the curves. They are elegant without being ostentatious. I'm not sure that you need to go to a black/white contrast. I would have really liked what you are showing if there wasn't that bit of light color up in the left corner. As it is, I still like it alot.

_________________
Aoibeann

Dave, I like the contrasting grain direction, too. I mean symetical
vertically, not horizontally.

I too like it. I think it would also look good if the tail wedge matched the wood of the bindings.

_________________
Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice

Thanks again to all for all the comments!

Mario/Colin, I think you both have described what I was trying to achieve. I just wasn't sure whether I had achieved it or not. Thanks for you comments!

Billy, isn't it great how many different tastes, likes and dislikes we have here? This place rocks! I think what you describe is pretty much the exact opposite of what I like. Different strokes.....

Serge/Lillian, thanks for your comments as well! Lillian, I think you are correct. I could have done a better job of picking the piece used for the wedge. Thanks for pointing it out!

James, I'm still not sure what you mean. Are you saying it would look better if the bottom was closer in size to the top. Another words less taper in the wedge?

Joe, I also have one planned that will be a match to the binding material. Thanks!Dave Rector38978.6443402778

_________________
Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

I vote yes. It looks very nice to me.

_________________
Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

I like it also Dave, It's done very well and contrasts enough for my eye.

_________________
Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

I like the curve in it. I just mean I think it would be a bit stronger if the
top and bottom of it were mirror images of each other.

Dave,
   That's a beautiful thing. One if the most striking things to me when it
comes to wood is its uncanny ability to work with itself no matter what
combination is used.

   I love all levels of contrast between adjacent wood components from
none to hard and absolute. I lke your use of closely colored wood pieces
in that photo.

   I also like the fluted design of the wedge itself. Very tasteful and
skillfully executed. Nice work.

Regards,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars

[quote]Billy, isn't it great how many different tastes, likes and dislikes we have here? [/quote]

No! It blows - everybody should think like me!!! !

    I love it! There're all kind of things that a man can do and somebody will hate it, and somebody else will love it! I just go by the adage, "when it comes to the total truth we're all wrong........ except ME!!!!"

I'm JOKING!! I'm JOKING!! Don't hate me because I'm funny!

I'll be here all week, Thank you!

I would really like to see more pix of your guitarra!
For the whole ensemble!

THanks for being so cool Dave!
Billy Dean Thomas

Billy T38978.0173726852

_________________
Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Dave, I really like it too. I've been wanting to do something similar but haven't got to it.
Nicely done.

_________________
Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Thanks again guys! I really do value all the feedback I get here.

James, I think I understand what you are saying now. You are talking about the top and bottom being more equal in size with the curve more in the middle, right?
I've seem them done that way and I like the top to bottom taper better. Just one of those personal preference things.

Billy, you're on my list.....






Just kidding.

_________________
Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

[QUOTE=Kevin Gallagher] One if the most striking things to me when it comes to wood is its uncanny ability to work with itself no matter what
combination is used.

I love all levels of contrast between adjacent wood components from none to hard and absolute. [/QUOTE]

Kevin, thanks for your comments! I think your words pretty well sum up the way I feel about working with wood too.

_________________
Dave Rector
Rector Guitars