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My guitar spent a week with a friend, who has a degree in Guitar Performance, and who plays locally. His name is Johnnie May. Johnnie tried the guitar out last Sunday, and wanted to spend some more time with it. I, being the easy guy that I am, said "Why don't you just keep it for the week." He said great, so he did. During the week, he played it, and had all of his students play it, and asked them what they thought. The bad thing is that no-one said anything negative. They all seemed to like it, according to Johnnie. He also told me he'd like to have one of my guitars when I'm comfortable with the process, and have proved to myself that I can make others that sound as good or better. He seems very comfortable about waiting. He has a good guitar, and likes it, but feels it is a little too mellow. Anyway, when I told him he could keep it for the week, I asked him to make me a recording. He said great. When I went to get it this afternoon, I asked if he had done the recording. He said he had forgotten, but could do it then. What we have here is a one take recording, using a Sony Digital Recorder with a built in mic. I did normalize the recording, as it was a little weak. It is normalized at 75%.

I think this piece is just beautiful, and am really glad he chose it. He said it's one of his favorites. It is a Barrios piece called: "Una Limosna por el Amor de Dios", or in English,

"An Alm for the Love of God".

Johnnie said to tell you all it was a rough version. He did it cold, without any real warm-up. Personally, I thought it was pretty good. I hope you enjoy the clip.

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Waddy

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Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I have to say that was absolutely one of the most enjoyable 3 minutes and 20 seconds I have ever spent online!
Your guitar has a beautiful sound Waddy. Excellent!!

Dave F.

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Cambrian Guitars

"There goes Mister Tic-Tac out the back with some bric-brac from the knick-knack rack"

Waddy I agree with Dave and I really enjoyed the tune, playing, and your guitar. That was enough to sooth the savage Hesh. Very well done!

Waddy, the sound is really very impressive. Sounds like a professional recording. You have a winner guitar and give Johnnie my compliments on his playing.

Waddy, that's very nice, as I've told you before you should be very proud of your achievement with this guitar.

Colin

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

Waddy,

You must be extremely proud - and you should be! Your guitar sounds terrific!

Congratulations,
Max

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Max Bishop
Brighton, Michigan

Thanks folks! I'm just glad to be able to share a clip that gives a better feel for the separation and range that the guitar has. It continues to improve. I just hope I can duplicate the effort.

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Waddy

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Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Sounds great Waddy, congrats!

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Build log

Sounds great Waddy! Nice and clear with just enough throatiness to her. She'd got some of that "growl" that players of Spanish guitars are always looking for. Congratulations!

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Instagram: @jfrenchluthier
Web: https://www.jfrenchguitars.com/

Thanks Alex and Joshua! I had lots of help from the folks here at OLF, and consider myself to have gotten a lucky hit. It happens sometimes.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Waddy,

Fabulous!! Great playing by your friend and your guitar is sounding really sweet. As Chuck once said "Johhny be good!!" I'd try to get him to record something with the guitar for you every month if I were you and then we can hear it's growing voice over time here on the OLF.

The thing about "lucky hits" is that as you make each new instrument you keep hitting them. When the modesty wears off and you let reality kick in you will realise the skill you have and what you can achieve. Of course knowing you, you will be setting the aims higher each time. Onwards and upwards.

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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

Thanks, Dave. He did say to bring it back when I get the finish completed. Maybe I'll get him to do another clip. He has one piece that he plays, that is really great, uses the whole fingerboard, and has lots of separate melody lines running together. I was hoping he'd do that one, but this one is pretty good too. On the building, just have to get past the next few, and prove I can do it.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Waddy - What a great sounding instrument! The sustain is great, the separation is great! The triplets on the high string were clear and the bass note reverberated so well. I liked the term 'growled.' Am I using too many superlatives? Each string seams to have its place in the range. I.e., it blends together the tonal range very well. I really enjoyed listening to that piece. Thanks for sharing with us.

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Steve Walden
Aspiring Builder,
Bartlesville, OK

Woah! Steve...Thanks! I'm not sure it's as good as all that, but suffice it to say that I am a very happy camper. My friend could make any guitar sound good, though.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Rad Waddy, simply ich. Well, well, well done.

Waddy, that is a really really nice guitar. The sound is great and your friend Johnnie is an excellent player. I would be extremely proud of yourself, that is an amazing guitar, especially for the first one.

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-Rob Eckert
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Thanks, so much, Flori and Rob.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Late as always, but I must say, fantastic sound! Your next will be even better, I bet.

Waddy, Congrats ! Man that was sweet!

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Waddy,
I have saved the file for future listening. It is absolutely breathtaking! I am *SO* proud of your accomplishment in building this guitar. All of the hard work to keep us all updated in the process has been extremely appreciated too!

Thank you for sharing this with us!

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Reguards,

Ken H

Thank you all, it has been a fun project. More guitars to come.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Wonderful sounding guitar, Waddy!

Thanks, Gary.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars