Official Luthiers Forum!

Thanks everyone.

Yes Arnt, the reason for it being 'special' can be found in the page directory's naming. Hint hint... <g>

JJ, finish is my usual. Dyes used are LMI metal acid, MEK dyes, base colors mixed in tung oil and applied directly to the maple by hand.

Wow Mario that is one gorgeous guitar Dude.

I love the burst and the dark maple sides and back. The snakewood gives it just the right amount of sparkle while all the other components make it warm and inviting.

So....10 years hey, way to go. So is this guitar for yourself to keep? Your own milestone!

Love it

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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

That maple stain treatment is soooo cool. And that top purfling, sir...would you ever consider a tutorial on how to pull off that little feat of magic?

Great photos...new camera? Looking forward to the new website. Because of the quality of the photos, I found myself looking at all the little details. In particular, I love the details surrounding the construction of the sound port.

I hope that Joe White is paying attention...I have a feeling he's going to be getting just a few requests to warm up curly maple!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Mario,

That's a beautiful piece. Great woods, great colors and great workmanship all the way around.
I hope having it around helps to relieve some grumpiness. (Just kidding!)

I'm glad you shared that guitar with us. I, for one, always welcome those kinds of pieces that
really inspire and challenge me to grow and be more and more creative as I build. Thanks for the
inspiration.

Regards,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars

# 100 sure is a fine looking instrument! I hope I can attain to such beauty someday...

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"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."

I'm a duffus.

#100, very nice

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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

I hope having it around helps to relieve some grumpiness.

Nope. It'll make me even grumpier when I ship it off in a week or so. The fact that it plays and sounds better than it looks will make that even tougher to do. this is also the first 12 fret OM/D that I've made, and boy howdy, do I want one for myself(there's no money past the 7th fret, according to Norman Blake, anyhow)!

The shoemaker's always barefoot.....

Rod, I'm at the 12 year mark for building(mandolins came first, then guitars), 18 for repairs. This is the 100th guitar. Maybe I'll get to keep the 100th mandolin....

If the wind dies down today(still blowing hard from the north), I'll be able to add full-on upright shots. Had t actually photograph it laying down on a makeshift table yesterday, on sticky foam, to keep it from being blow away. Guitar's been done since last Monday, but the weather's not cooperated for the picture taking. Indoors with flash or big lighting didn't cut it at all.

JJ, yeah, the little camera that was so out of focus in most of my web site photos is long retired. I now have a Canon XTi Rebel DSLR for the new pics. The whole site will be fresh. Joe and I swap ideas and tips all the time; he's well up to speed and has a great eye for color.

Fantastic job!

A note about the inlays; Our client wanted a maple leaf theme.
After introductions, I found he and his wife had 3 children, and asked if he would like to incorporate that into the theme.

So.... 3 leaves falling down the neck to join the "parents" @ the 12th fret, effectively making it a family project. Just some simple symbolism to make the art a bit more personal, with a family tie.

Thanks for looking and thank you, Mario, for a great guitar!

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Paul Bordeaux
http://www.bordeauxinlay.com

That is one seriously beautiful and classy guitar! I wish it was sitting in my lap right now. Makes my mouth water!

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Fantastic work from a master luthier. Here's to your next 100!

Very, very nice. The inlay's sorta kinda similar to one I've got drawn out on paper, to be put onto the next guitar I build for myself. Inspiring stuff!

Awsome. Awsome, Awsome. Your quality and work is what I strive to get to, but .......although I can daydream. Great work Mario.

Really nice looking!
Unusual combo of woods with a burst, looks nice!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

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

Beautiful, Mario. Wish I could play it.

Thanks for sharing.

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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

Genial!








(Using the patented Mario phrase book for length and style)

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Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
http://redrivercanoe.ca/

Congrats on the milestone and what a guitar to celebrate it with. Plays and sounds better than it looks....... hard to believe. Good on ya' and thanks for letting us have a look. If you're ever feeling bored, I for one would really appreciate a little insight into how you did the pyramid bridge(nice one). Great photos too.
Cheers,
Danny

I always like it when color is applied directly to the wood. The result is much richer. This guitar is beautiful. The colors are perfect.

Well that certainly raises the bar. A beautiful instrument. All the elements fit, very nice work Mario.
Now I'm going out to my workshop and stare at some sawdust...

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Bruce Herrmann
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

Yup, that IS quite a good looking guitar Mario! But I thought you didn't like pretty tops! That one is indeed KILLER! Great work and Congrats on the milestone. Thanks for posting some of your work Mario.

Shane

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Canada

Compliments from an amateur.
Nice work Mario!

Vince

Beautiful work!

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Anthony J. Lembo
Lembo Custom Guitars - www.Lemboguitars.com

Great work Mario. Really a beautiful guitar and fretboard. In the words of Wayne and Garth, "I'm not worthy".

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

Mario,
I love maple, and I love what you've done with it.
Great choice on those purfs, too.
Mmm-mmm!

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Sweet #100!

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Horton, MI

My God Mario, your guitar is breath taking!

I could look at that all day. It makes me feel like Gollum in the Lord of the Rings!

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"After forty-nine years of violin building, I have decided that the search for a varnish is similar to the fox hunt. The fun is in the hunt."
Jack Batts Maker and Repairer of Fine Violins