Official Luthiers Forum!

[QUOTE=Sam Price] [QUOTE=BarryDaniels] Personally, I would rather see simple designs well executed on a first instrument.[/QUOTE]

Guess I'll stick to my day job, then....[/QUOTE]

Sorry to poke a hole in your ballon, Sam. But I am seeing too many first instruments with flawed execution of new designs. I think it is better to hone the chops before trying something original. But that's just me. I know I am in the minority around here.

I appreciate your honesty.

[quote]The finish ain't very heavy, and I think I'd go for tone over finish anyday. I have played hundreds of guitars, and this little instrument really kicks serious bottom. [/quote]

    I've heard that finish impedes sound from a guitar quite often... don't know if that's true, but there are a lot of people asking for less and less finish.

     Your's is another anecdotal, pointing in that direction, so there may very well be something to it. Could be you just built a good one!

Hope you get a better job so you can build more!


Billy Dean

_________________
Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

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

[QUOTE=Billy T] [quote]The finish ain't very heavy, and I think I'd go for tone over finish anyday. I have played hundreds of guitars, and this little instrument really kicks serious bottom. [/quote]

    I've heard that finish impedes sound from a guitar quite often... don't know if that's true, but there are a lot of people asking for less and less finish.

     Your's is another anecdotal, pointing in that direction, so there may very well be something to it. Could be you just built a good one!

Hope you get a better job so you can build more!


Billy Dean
[/QUOTE]

Cheers.

I have the baby strung up in lights, and the volume and projection is amazing to hear for a guitarist for eighteen years who has hung around in many guitar stores in the UK....rather than my skill, I would give credence to Stewmac for their quality woods.

The tonewood set and the top seemed to have a lively tap tone even before bracing. I am loathe to "pore fill" and put many layers of finish on incase I compromise the tone.

It she still sounds like this in a years time (providing she doesn't fall apart ), I think my GAS will be cured forever!!!

Hey Sam, something happened to the pictures...they aren't coming up. I didn't get to see it! I was really looking forward to it too!

_________________
"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Don: I just got them! Did you try reloading or restarting your browser?

_________________
Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

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

All I get is this:

_________________
"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

[QUOTE=BarryDaniels] Personally, I would rather see simple designs well executed on a first instrument.[/QUOTE]

Barry,

So what don't you like about Sam's rosette? It looks pretty dang fine to me and is the major part of the Stew-Mac kit that she changed with her "originality". Her other "chops" are going to improve immensely the more she builds like the rest of us, but for a first rosette that is going to be a mighty hard act for her to follow - but I'm sure she will.

Sam,

Would you be prepared to make one of those rosettes for me to put in one of my builds?

_________________
Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

Sam,

Other than that slight fingerboard taper error at the nut, your first looks really quite good! I like the soft glow of the finish, and your side purfling looks nicely executed. Overall, a fine job!

Sam,

Earlier today I think I overreacted to reading through the
thousandth complimentary posting on this forum and shot from the
hip with my snide comment. I want to apologize to you and
everyone else here. I will try to give more useful or helpful
comments in the future.

Barry

/\ no probs, Barry I'm a big fan of constructive criticism, however I must admit your comments stung a bit.

I think I would have deserved some tough comments if it was my 3rd or fourth guitar, though!!! Something along the line of.."I guess you ought to get into macrame, next time!!!"

I think I did a jolly good job despite the fact I'm a busy parent of three young kids (ages 3, 5, 7), with a part time job three full days a week and extensive housekeeping duties and other obligations ( )...sometimes I would be seen standing at the cooker with a wooden spoon in one hand and a sanding block in the other, so determined I was to get the job done..

Trust me, I have learned a lot, and feel better equipped for number 2.

Luckily my husband would help with the kids' homework....

Carlton, yeah, the fingerboard taper thanks for pointing that out!!!

...I wanted to keep within the plans, so that was a fight between me and the instructions, and the instructions won!! I was endeavouring to create a 44mm nut and a thinner fretboard, but decided to stick with the plans. That's the only "change of mind" you'll see...

The binding and purfling was done without a laminate router, just with a sharp chisel and and Ibex purfling cutter. I endeavour to continue building without powertools, so it'll prolly take 10+ guitars before they become somwhat commission-worthy!!!!



Sam Price38979.5097800926

Sam
Amazing what you can do with a few sharp tools.
Very nice first! I like the way it sounds.
You and your family must be proud. Great Job!
What do you plan on building next?

Tom

_________________
http://www.moriciguitar.com

[quote]Stew-Mac kit that she changed with her "originality".[/quote]

Sam's a chick? Wow, I didn't know that! We don't get a lot of women folk around here, at least not enough!

   Barry, what I like about this forum is you have all kinds here, from the XXX, gut punching, professional that makes me feel like a drooling boob, to the noobz, just for fun and sharing with friends.

    I thought, at first, things were a little over the top with apologies and "feelings" but I see the point of it. The written word can come across exaggerated, either way. I appreciate now, the consideration and the expression.

Billy Dean Thomas

_________________
Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

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

Sam, I would be extremely proud of that guitar! It's really great for a first effort. Certainly better than mine I think. Excellent job! I can't wait to see #2 in a the coming months.

_________________
"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

[QUOTE=Sam Price] sometimes I would be seen standing at the cooker with a wooden spoon in one hand and a sanding block in the other,[/QUOTE]

I find that cornflour is a more neutral flavoured thickening agent than mahogany sawdust.........

_________________
My soundclick xx luthier blog xx luthier soundclick

[QUOTE=martinedwards] [QUOTE=Sam Price] sometimes I would be seen standing at the cooker with a wooden spoon in one hand and a sanding block in the other,[/QUOTE]

I find that cornflour is a more neutral flavoured thickening agent than mahogany sawdust......... [/QUOTE]

Maybe, but the mahogany has more fiber.

_________________
Aoibeann

[QUOTE=martinedwards]

I find that cornflour is a more neutral flavoured thickening agent than mahogany sawdust......... [/QUOTE]

Ah, but you're forgetting; only EI rosewood gives spaghetti bolognese it's true colour and texture... Sam Price38979.5214467593

[QUOTE=Don Williams] I can't wait to see #2 in a the coming months.
[/QUOTE]

If only.... There's Christmas coming up, in case anyone forgot...

I'm impressed that you hand cut the binding/purfling channels. I haven't tried it by hand.

Ron

_________________
OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

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

Sam, I'm just impressed.
Noticed it's a south-paw. My first guitar was a lefty, too.
Sound like you can play yours, whilst I had great difficulty playing mine! (It was built as a comission for a friend.) Glad it sounds so good...when they look that nice, they need to sound good to match.

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

[QUOTE=Sam Price] Carlton, yeah, the fingerboard taper thanks for pointing that out!!![/QUOTE]
Hey, you were bold enough to actually give us a closeup of some of your guitar's flaws. I admire that greatly! Nobody's first guitar, especially one with as much hand work as yours, is going to be perfect. My comment wasn't meant to downgrade your potential, so I hope you understand that. The first (and only, thusfar) neck I built was completely unusable, so you're way ahead of me!

[QUOTE=Sam Price]The binding and purfling was done without a laminate router, just with a sharp chisel and and Ibex purfling cutter.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, I remembered that you were doing this all by hand, and that's why I thought your side purfling was especially well done.

Besides, your guitar's sound has pleased you, and that's the most important thing for a first (or 50th) build.

[QUOTE=CarltonM]
Hey, you were bold enough to actually give us a closeup of some of your guitar's flaws. I admire that greatly! Nobody's first guitar, especially one with as much hand work as yours, is going to be perfect. My comment wasn't meant to downgrade your potential, so I hope you understand that. The first (and only, thusfar) neck I built was completely unusable, so you're way ahead of me!
[/QUOTE]

I deeply appreciate everyone's comments on here, as you guys are complete specialists and masters at your work.

I am just a hobbyist considering making guitars more often, and perhaps on the long road to eventually being called a Luthier.

All I know is that I now drool over luthier catalogues....a great trailer of flatsawn oak and ash wood came to the college..someone wants to build a kayak..within five minutes I got the estate worker's number and I'm going to check what they have available for ideal tonewoods...that must mean something...

[QUOTE=Sam Price] All I know is that I now drool over luthier catalogues....a great trailer of flatsawn oak and ash wood came to the college..someone wants to build a kayak..within five minutes I got the estate worker's number and I'm going to check what they have available for ideal tonewoods...that must mean something...

[/QUOTE]
Yeah, I'm with you on the lutherie supply catalogs; tool catalogs, too!

Good luck on your wood quest. Let us know what you find. Road workers cut down some oak trees recently near where I live, and I was thinking, "If I could borrow a chainsaw and find some branch-free sections, I could split those into billets and dry them for a couple of years, and then find someone with a re-saw capable bandsaw...." Well, you understand.

Sam--

The guitar is simply beautiful. I really do like the rosette. The sound clip does give a good indication of the voice of the guitar.

Bravo!

--Jim

_________________
Jim Howell
Charlotte, NC

Sam, that is a great job on the binding/purfling for your first and especially doing it all by hand. Congratulations!

Mike