Official Luthiers Forum!

If you want a good laugh, have a look at this:

www.presnallguitars.com

My first attempt at building a site, just to get the word out...it may hurt more than help, i dunno... ...If I can get rid of the banner picture and replace it with something guitar-related that'll make me feel better...please, jump in and give me wisdom/critique/etc....I value the opinions here!

Larry

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

I like the site pretty good. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the handshake it doesn't seem to fit. Nice pictures.

Colby, EXACTLY! I just can't figure out how to get rid of it! I'd like to put a neck or my logo there someday! I'm thinking maybe of thumbnails of the photos, then click to enlarge...but I gotta figure that operation out too! It's intimidating with all of the great sites from guys here on the forum too...

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

By the by, where's Tiplersville?

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

Well, it's hard to explain. It's just out in the middle of nowhere. Have you heard of Corinth, MS? It takes us about 40 min to get there from Tiplersville.

Hi Larry,
Man that's not a bad looking site. It's simple, clean, and to the point. Maybe too much so right now but over time you'll be adding more text, pictures, etc. It's hard to get it all happening at once from scratch.

I assume you're using some sort of html editing program to build your site. You should be able to select the "goofy handshake" picture & delete it. If you're using a non WYSIWYG program for editing your site, you can still get rid of the picture by looking for a line in your html code that refers to "image3.jpg" and either delete it or substitute another jpeg picture in its place. It's pretty easy - just a little bit of experience & you'll be off & running.
Good Luck.

Skip

Colby, I'm about an hour north of Corinth in Collierville, TN...so, you're 40 minutes further south of there?

Skip, yes, Jimmy Caldwell mentioned finding the code which refers to the picture and changing it out with another...the problem is, last time I coded anything was back in College in BASIC!!    I'm using the builder that comes with the ipower webhosting and I think it must be less versatile than a real builder like Coldfusion or Dreamweaver....and add to that, I'm just not so bright!    Thanks for the compliments tho...I just wanna get the word out but look professional at the same time!

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

Larry,

The overall layout is pretty good and is a good solid foundation. It took me months to figure ot how to lay out my site and I'm still playing around with it. Making the first big jump and doing SOMETHING is a major achievement - like finishing your first guitar!!

It's very hard to find a simple way to get all of the information across in a logical and ordered way that makes it easy for people to use the site and get the info they need.

A few comments (just based on my personal preferences and offered as ideas).

- You need some basic info for the models pages - usual stuff, body dimensions, scale length, finish etc.

- I would have a page/label "standard features" before "options" or have the "options" coming off this page. This is the main page of your "signature" offering and the path to any upgrades/variations you want to make available.

- I think your basic starting price needs to be as upfront as possible and I would probably have it on the "home" page as well as the other logical places. I've gone through so many luthier sites in my "research" and putting my "customer" hat on it's always been frustrating if it's hard to find the starting price ranges I am looking at. I'm guilty here and will be reviewing my own web site in this light

- the tonewoods section needs some reenforcing or more of a "story". Dividing it into tops wood back/sides woods is one way with a brief view of what you think they bring tonaly and decoratively. Knowing why your standard offerings are what they are and why different options/upgrades are suggested. Perhaps having this page link from the "standard features" and "options" buttons.

Hope this helps and feel free to use/ignore some or all of it. Loke making guitars, there are no "right answers", just "what works".Dave White38634.6945949074

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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

Larry, it is a good start. The organization is good but you will probably need to add additional pictures for each model (eg rosette, headstock, backstrip, endstrip) but I'm sure you have this on your to-do list. It can be intimidating but you will work through it. I set up my department site when I was at University of Arkansas, but things have changed a lot with web creation software in 10 years (can you say easier ) Someday I will get around to my own site again...yeh, right

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

Hey, Larry   I enjoyed looking the site over. It's not flashy but I thought it was very well written.

By the way, I have a very good friend in Collierville. His wife manages the Hampton Inn there. Also, my oldest son lives in Horn Lake, MS and works in Memphis. Maybe some day when I'm visiting, we can meet.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

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

Thanks for the comments guys...yes, I agree with the content comments Dave, it's just that I don't have the literacy to make the changes, although I'm poking away at it...(I can't stay at the computer as much as I'd like, or the wife'll kill me )...Ron, I live just a couple miles from the Hampton...let me know when you're coming this way and we'll hook up!

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

Larry,

Great start!! It is far from "the earth's lamest website" Dave has offered great advise, that coupled with what you already know will make your site fabulous! Well done and good luck.

Shane

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Canada

Larry,
No way the site is lame! web sites take time. It will evolve in time and you will keep adding new ideas, etc. Great job!
Mark

Thanks Mark! I need votes of confidence! Man, I thought building a GUITAR was a challenge...websites are Harrrrddddd!

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

Larry, I think you have a great start for your page!

I didn't have time or smarts to figure out web design either, so I traded a guitar for a guy to do the design for me and host it for a year or so.

I did notice that you have a typo in your luthier section. You need to leave the "e" off churche's.
Also, I am getting one image that won't load. It is part of your banner, may be the one you were talking about earlier in this thread.

Great job, just keep adding to it!

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Dave, yeah my edumication is in the way! (I didn't spell check it last time )...and that part of the banner's erased while I try to get an image in there so do not adjust your set! Thanks for the heads up on the typo!

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

Larry...
I hope you were not offended with my critique of your website. I really like it. I simply made a few suggestions to ADD, not to eliminate anything at all. I think you have done a great job!!
In time you will add more to it. It's a great start.
It's a canvas...keep painting.

Regards, Walter

Walter, not at all!    I hope I build a better guitar than I do a website tho! I welcome all critique and all comments good and bad! If I can just get rid of that dumb handshake and replace it with a guitar shot I'll be happy. The gallery's blank because I can't get the photos in there!! ARRRRGGGHHH!

Larry

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http://www.presnallguitars.com