Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi all from downunder

Hope you'll make an Aussie welcome.
I've been building (professionally) since '94 when I retired from teaching, built a w/shop and started out in ernest.
I built my first guitar way back in 1957 at the age of 18 when I was then an apprentice Patternmaker...a LP 'Goldtop' copy.
At the time, I was an aspiring Jazz guitarist, studying under Bruce Clark who went to the States and came back sporting a brand new Gibson 'goltop' LP. This was the first of its kind in australia that I know of and as I could never have afforded such an instrument myself, he allowed me to reproduce what I believe must have been the very first LP copy in this country.
On its completion, I was introduced to Bill May ('Maton Guitars'), who built the s/coil P/ups & elecs for it. (wish I still had that guitar now).

I then built another for a friend in a vintage sunburst finish which was stolen shortly afterwards and never resurfaced again!

I pursued my normal career in Pattermaking, later as a Technical Illustrator and eventually undertook training as a Trade Teacher in Woodwork and Graphic Communication.

I retired in '94 and resumed building guitars in ernest from home.
After several years working at building up some sort of 'credibility' in the world of luthiery, my work gradually became known here.

Since then, I've built approx 98 - 100 guitars and basses for clients spread around the country, many of whom are professional guitarists who now own several of my instruments.

I specialize in 'custom' necks, repairs, modifications and refinishes
and have my own range of limited production 'solids' here under my name - 'Rhodes' custom Guitars...hence my screenname 'rcg'.

I was commissioned to build my first (and only) 'Archtop' based on a Gretsch 'White Falcon' which was built in the 'Benedetto' tradition with handcarved top and back plates. I do not plan to build any more of these owing to the labour intensive nature the construction and time/costs involved.

I've attached a pic. of it (colour was not my choice) and another custom commission recently completed.

Welcome! Nice guitars, too! This is a great place, lots of good folks and info to be shared!

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Brad Tucker

Welcome, rcg!
Nice looking guitars, and a fine looking shop!
Hope you soon feel at home here.

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Hey RCG (name would be good here M8)

From one Aussie to another, welcome to the OLF .

We have quite a few from AU here but tis always nice to add another. Your guitars look very noice indeed Mr Rhodes and I will be scouring the flea markets and second hand pages looking for that lost gold top with the Bill May electrics, that axe would be worth a quid or two now days

Cheers

Kim

Howdy Barry(?),

Lots of bluddy Aussies here mate! Nice guitars,

Sebastiaan

Thx for the welcome guys

Am just starting to feel my way around this forum...posted a 2nd shot showing the back of the Archtop, but accidenally put it in the wrong damned section... (I think its in the main general section)

Perhaps a Mod can locate it and move it to here where it belongs?

If so, I'd really appreciate it

Yep sebastiaan, thats my name orright

Hi Barry and welcome to the OLF M8

Your guitars look killer - very nice work!

Aha!

I finally located the post showing the back of the Archtop that should have been added after the other photos.
It can be seen here --> viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=18175