Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm filming a new dvd next week. It will be "Advanced Voicing" I'll take 4
different tops and have different objectives for each one in terms of tone/
style. I'll walk through how I go about achieving the desired tone/style.
ie: one will be a small body guitar that I'll want a really open lush tone,
one will be a SJ size that I want to be able to really get after it and have a
punchy, aggressive tone, ect...

So anyone have any suggestions/requests on what you might like me to
discuss while I'm at it? As long as it is in the scope of the DVD I'll do my
best.

Ideas for future DVD's?

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Don't know if you've done this on the first DVD John (got to get it) but could you if possible explain the differences between top wood choice also when looking for different tone/style as per the example you've given.

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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

Hi John,
   On your recent voicing DVD I could easily hear the changes and improvements to tap tone as you carved the braces. Will be using your techniques on my next top, using a set of stiff mid-grade Carpathian spruce and Adirondak bracing material.

I'd be interested to hear how you'd brace and tune (or maybe 'salvage' is a better word) a top that was sanded too thin & floppy.

Differnance in effect based on various thinning i.e. x brace vs tone bars finger and so on

all good suggestions. Keep em coming.

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

John,

For a future video, I'd like to see one on Building Jigs and Molds. Afterwards, you could sell the jigs/molds you make during the filming.

CrowDuck

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Chris Nielsen
Soquel, CA.

[QUOTE=crowduck] John,

For a future video, I'd like to see one on Building Jigs and Molds.
Afterwards, you could sell the jigs/molds you make during the filming.

CrowDuck[/QUOTE]

I'ts been suggested to me a number of timess for a jigs video. Bad thing
is I don't feel like I would do it justice! I'm a pretty low tech style of
working.....but we shall see...

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Yup - different ball caps -- Pittsburgh Steelers cap would be nice

How bout a video where you experiment with the differences in square, sharp edge braces and smooth, curved braces, oh and maybe you could give us some..... oh, nevermind.

Time to head to the bomb shelter.

_________________
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

Howdy-

Do a comparison between scalloped bracing vs. parabolic bracing vs. laminated Carlson-style bracing, ect. I can't think of anything else as a suggestion on the new video. It does sound like a great video and I'm sure I'll be one of your first pre-orders.

Thanks-

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John Lewis
Wannabe builder owned by 2 crazy dachshunds

As far as hats go...what is with the Giants hat. You are in Oklahoma.
The Cardinals are much closer to you...so are the Royals...but they suck
Andy

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

[QUOTE=azimmer1] As far as hats go...what is with the Giants hat. You
are in Oklahoma.
The Cardinals are much closer to you...so are the Royals...but they suck
Andy[/QUOTE]

I'm a huge giants fan! I grew up in california. Mainly in Riverbank, which
is close to Modesto, which is about 75 miles to San Fran. I've been to
many Giants games in the old Candlestick park....

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

I would also like to see the your different views and approaches to scalloped vs. parabolic bracing. As for future videos... a jig video would be great. Finishing, (french polishing, laquer, water based, satin, and other variations) Cutaways, and possibly a video on different neck joints/settings. Thanks for all the work that went into your videos, we really appreciate it!

I hate to post twice in a row but I forgot to mention a video on electronics/pickup/mic installation. Thanks!

After what you wrote way above, how about explanations on how to build a nuke shelter in case of forum emergencies!

Serge

GO GIANTS!!!

How about a DVD on how to make a DVD

John,
A finishing DVD would be great!

[QUOTE=BlueSpirit] John,
A finishing DVD would be great![/QUOTE]

It would be but alas after years of doing my own finish (and being rather
mediocre at it) I subcontract my finish work out now. Although I have
toyed with the idea of seeing if Tony would let me come and film him
doing the finish work...good ideas....

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

[QUOTE=Addam Stark] GO GIANTS!!!

How about a DVD on how to make a DVD [/QUOTE]

If you would have seen any of my DVD's you would quickly realize that I'm
not the one to be giving that instruction! I'm a total goofball on, and off,
camera!

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

hi john,

a video on installing pickups/transducers/mics, would be very useful. not too much info around on this, and it is a lot of trial and error,

paddy

I have ordered, but not yet received, your first DVD on voicing, so I don't know what you already covered or what your approach is. But my first thought is that I'd be interested in discussion and demonstration of how the use of tap tones on the free plates relates to resonances of the assembled box and then to the sound of the finished guitar. I'm coming from a place of being very interested, open-minded, and eager to learn, but at the same time somewhat skeptical of what predictable results in the final sound of the guitar can be achieved by tapping and tuning a free plate. I'm a real "proof is in the pudding" kind of guy... I'm not so much looking for a comprehensive understanding of the physics involved (or theories thereof), but more of a demonstration of actual instruments that are "voiced" in particular ways as the plates are being thicknessed and braced, and then how they actually sound when they're strung up... and I hope to be convinced that what was done in the voicing process actually produced the results that were intended. And then, when I use your methods, I want every one of my guitars to be among the greatest ever heard!       

I'm also particularly interested in different bracing schemes, i.e. variations on X bracing and "lattice" bracing, hybrids thereof, etc. Also the question of how the use of different string gauges and different kinds of strings relates to what is done in the voicing process. Yet another area of interest for me is designing and voicing guitar tops on instruments with floating fretboards, i.e. where the neck is structurally tied in to the back and sides but not the top and the whole top is built as a vibrating plate. AND, last but not least, how one integrates various possibilities for soundhole placement, including "offset" soundholes and side ports, into the overall voicing scheme. I want to know it all and I want it NOW!      

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

Todd, you are some incredible riot!!!! Talk 'bout one who knows what he wants in life!!!

Serge

The OLF's own Robbie O'Brian has a really great DVD on finishing using all the methods you listed. It's very good.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

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

In my future I see a hollow body electric. How about a complete, start to finish on that? That's what I want, and it's almost MY birthday.

Ron

_________________
OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

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