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   I just received a call from a Christian radio station (The Word FM www.wordfm.org) asking if I would be willing to accompany them on a missions trip for 16 days in July to help build an orphanage in Africa. We'll be completing the construction of the Tumaini "Hope" Childrens Home in Nairobi, Kenya. It is a new housing facility for an existing AIDS orphanage there. The orphanage is home to children infected with HIV/AIDS who have been mistreated, discarded or orphaned by their families. I have loads of construction experience from growing up with several masons and general contractors in the family so I'm looking forward to being a part of the construction efforts.

My main purpose on the trip. though, will be as the worship leader playing and leading several times a day sometimes and once each evening at a service.

   The reason I post this is to see if anyone of the fine wood vendors here would like to be a part of an idea I had immediately upon learning of the project there in Kenya. I plan on building a Grand Concert style guitar that I will carry in a flight case on the trip and use for all of the worship services while there. I'd like to build it from woods that are indigenous to Africa, have photos of the guitar taken in as many situations and locations as possible while it is in Africa and have as many of the people involved in the project as possible sign a label commemorating the trip and effort to be placed inside the guitar upon our return. I will then donate the guitar to the station for an auction and they will in turn forward the proceeds of the auction to the orphanage to help to continue to support the work being done there.

   Inlay will include a profile of the continent of Africa in the fingerboard along with a scripture reference and finally the word "Tumaini" which means "Hope" in the headstock.

   I don't typically stock Bubinga or any of the other more readily used African woods, but was checking to see if any vendor would like to donate a set of back and sides for use on the guitar. A separate label inside would be sent to the wood supplier for them to sign and would designate them as the back and side wood provider for the guitar along with my signature as the builder so it would be a joint donation of time and materials. All other materials will come from my wood inventory inclusing a Carpathian Spruce top, Koa binding, either a one piece Mahogany neck blank or stock for a 5 piece laminated neck and all bracing, kerfing, purflng as well as the Ebony bridge and fingerboard. I'll also proveide a premium case for the guitar's presentation to the station upon our return from Africa. If time permits, I'd actually like to be able to ship the guitar to whoever, if anyone, provides the Bubinga for them to have a photo taken with the completed instrument to be included in the photo journal of its build progress and its travels.

   If anyone would beinterested, please contact me either by email or by PM here at the forum. If there are no takers, not a problem either. I'll hook up with a vendor and buy a nice set of the figured stuff I'm seeing floating around to use for the project.

Now, where is my passport...and when do I have to headin to start all of the shots necessary for the trip?

Thanks in advance for any interest,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars

Kevin,
I have some Bubinga on hand, and I am ecpecting 3 sets of African Blackwood to arrive from Africa in the next couple of weeks. If you have not found someone to donate by then, I would be happy to send you pics to see if you like the sets. I am a Christian and would be honored to donate to this cause.

Awesome Kevin! Just awesome!

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Kevin,
I'd like to participate in this project. I have some 60 year old straight grained and highly figured African mahogany. If you're intersted, I'd be happy to provide a set. I do have matching sides for this set too.
Let me know if you're interested.
Thanks,
Steve

Doug,
   Since you were the first responder, I think it only right to take you up on your offer to be a part of the project. I had missed your post originally and had skipped right to the bottom of the thread by mistake. I'd be honored to have you as part of it. It will be a great way to support a great cause for both of us and I'll look forward to working together with you in it.

   Feel free to pick the set that you see as the right one for the guitar and send it for me to start preparing for the build. If you wouldn't mind snapping a high res photo of you holding the wood or with it on your bench, that would be a great piece of the photo documentation of the guitar's birth. Just throw it to a CD and send it along with the wood.

   Thanks to Steve as well for your generous offer of that beautiful African Mahogany for the guitar. I'm sure it will end up in a worthy project of its own. Either wood will make a wonderful piece for the project.

All the best,
Kevin Gallagher Kevin Gallagher38763.4575578704

Can't wait to see what transpires Kevin. I've been to Nairobi, what a place. The people there were so full of love and grace, hungry for God!

I can give you a 5-piece neck blank for the guitar...african mahogany, with maple and cocobolo for a center strip, if you would like it. Or I can get some bubinga for the center strip. OR, I can make it mahogany/bubinga/mahogany/bubinga/mahogany. Your choice! I also have some Pauduk I could add to the mix if you want.Don Williams38757.4094212963

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Don,
    That would be great! Not that I want to escape from any of the work involved, but it would be fun having as many people involved in the project as possible. A five piece neck was my preference, but I was going to keep track of the time and choose according to my deadline and ability to work things in between my orders.

Whatever wood combination you come up with would be perfect for the guitar, I'm sure. Use your judgemant and I'll be thrilled to make it a part of the guitar.

Please take a photo or two of you with the wood so I can include it in the photo documentation of the build process.

Thanks for your generosity,
Kevin GallagherKevin Gallagher38757.4198726852

Kevin, do you need any fretboard and or bridge blanks? I would be happy to send you one of each, Macassar Ebony is what I have, but its very black.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Thanks Lance, but BobC has graciously offered to supply a gently figured Gaboon Ebony fingerboard to go on the guitar. He had also generously offered a great set of quilted Bubinga for the back and sides, but Doug had already committed a set to be used which I'm sure will be beautiful.

I'll be sure to keep all here posted on the guitar's progress.

Thanks again to BobC for not only supplying the fingerboard , but for being a part of a project for such a worthy cause.

Regards,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars

   I was planning to use a Carpathian top that I've had here for a while, but have been thinking of changing to Sitka for the simple fact that I'll be playing this guitar in a purely acoustic environment for the most part and will want to be able to really push it when I need to and there's never a question of Sitka's ability to perform in that type of situation. I've had some Carp tops that are very stiff and almost approach the volume and dynamic capabilities of Adirondack, but not always.

   If anyone else would like to have a part in the project by supplying the top, contact me. If not. I have several hundred tops in my shop to pull from so it's not a problem at all for me.

   Binding material is still up in the air. I'd like to use an African wood, but am not locked in on any particular species yet so there is another option for getting involved.

   Just trying to spread a blessing as far as possible. It'll feel good to know that a bunch of us were able to play a part in this thing. Members of the OLF have been the only ones to respond with action and I've poasted this at four large forum sites. You guys are the best and still remember what's underneath this whole guitar thing...the people. Thanks and my highest respect deservedly goes to you all.

I think since it's fallen that way, I'll just make it an OLF backed project and effort and will acknowledge the forum on the printed label in the guitar if that's OK with the mods and operators.

All the Best,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars

Missions like this are awesome. Very rewarding and a lot of work
I go on a medical mission every year to provide free medical care.
You will love the experience.
If you need anything done, let me know. I can donate or work on any part of
the guitar
Andy

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

I can send Don a center strip of bubinga. I can make a bubinga bridge and supply a bubinga headplate. Give me some dimensions and addresses and I can send it all out on Monday.

Instead of koa binding, I could make some bubinga binding.

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Kevin,
You are truly blessed to be able to go on this trip. May it bring many blessings to all involved. I just wish I had some wood to donate to be a part of such a wonderful thing. Best of luck on this mission and on the making of this guitar.
Regards,
Tracy

Kevin, you certainly have my blessings regarding acknowledging the OLF and its members.

That is terrific!

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I will pray for you Kevin. Anything else you might need please let me know.

Kevin:

I'm not a luthier - I've yet to build my first - but I'd love to be a part of this Christ-driven event. Count me in for a Master Grade Sitka top, which I will acquire this week from one of our fellow OLF members. Looking forward to being involved!

OK, which of you OLF'ers will be willing to join/sell/ship Kevin (or me) a Master Grade Sitka top on my behalf? Any takers? DEW???

Bill

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To Kevin and Andy,
You have my utmost respect for participating in such events that most people would want to turn the other cheek at. I'm sorry I'm not a wood supplier to be able to help you, but it looks like you have found a great way to use your talent, Kevin.
I just watched a program on tv that was doing similar work for AIDS babies, and it really touched me. Makes you look at life in a different light. Whenever I am able to donate $, I always choose charities dedicated to improving the lives of children.
Craig
CT Holden Luthiery and Supplies

Kevin, I don't have a lot of stuff at hand but would love to participate.....please allow me to buy something you may still need for this great cause and maybe we can all together help share and spread the truth!

It would be an honor to participate.....Please!

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

[QUOTE=Bill Greene] Kevin:

I'm not a luthier - I've yet to build my first - but I'd love to be a part of this Christ-driven event. Count me in for a Master Grade Sitka top, which I will acquire this week from one of our fellow OLF members. Looking forward to being involved!

OK, which of you OLF'ers will be willing to join/sell/ship Kevin (or me) a Master Grade Sitka top on my behalf? Any takers? DEW???

Bill
[/QUOTE]
Bill I sent you a PM Please get in touch with me either
PM or my e-mail bobcef at verizon dot net
Thanks

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Missions trips can really open our minds and hearts. In the past I led many with youth and am now helping the youth group from our church organize one for Cuba next year. In the mean time I collect old guitar strings from Musicians to send to Cuba. Strig that we figure are shot here are gold down there. Go with Blessings.

Kevin,
What else do you need....I have plenty and do want to help.

    Wow! This an amazing community and a great place like this is certainly made from more than just a nicely designed and smoothly run site or good information being shared by members. It's become very obvious to me in the past three days what makes the OLF a forum where there is a true sense of friendship and real community...it's the hearts of the people who make up the membership and also those of the operators and moderators. I knew before that this was the friendliest placce for guitar buyers, players, builders and lovers to gather on the web, but the true spirit of the community here has become much more evident to me through the incredible generosity in making this project much more than it was originally.

   The guitar is pretty much accounted for as far as wood components go and right down to the tuners.

Peterm has very generously offered to supply a beautiful set of gold Schallers with Ebony buttons which will dress the guitar up nicely and keep up with the fine quality of all of the woods that will be included in it. Thank you again Peter!

Bill Greene will be providing a great Italian Spruce top that will certainly be a great contributor to both tone and appearance. I've worked enough with Italian Spruce to know that the guitars that include them are some that we dream of building in our lifetime. Thanks so much to you and your wife, Bill.
   
Thanks to Tim McKnight who always jumps on an opportunity to be generous and kind for his gracious offer of a very old and valuable Sitka spruce top, but we had already locked in Bill's Spruce offer. Thanks again Tim, my friend and I'm sure that top will end up on another instrument that it is worthy of it. I would have been honored to have had it on this guitar. Not only did Tim offer this great top, butnhe had also offered a special set of Bubinga that he had set aside for his personal use or for use on a special project. Tim, thanks not only for your gracious offers, but also for offering things that were obviously valuable to you personally. That kind of selfless offer says alot about who you are and about the quality of the person behind tha great guitars that you build. Your customers are blessed to be able to have you serve them. Much success to you, brother.

I want to mention again SteveS's generous offer to supply the Bubinga binding for the body, fingerboard and headstock as well as a beautiful center strip for the back of the guitar. Any builder or player here understands the importance of beautiful bindings in roundng out the aesthetic impact of any guitar and they are greatly appreciated and will be admired by all who see the guitar, I'm sure.

BobC is providing what will be a great adornment and away from the typical with his gently figured matching Ebony fingerboard and bridge blanks. They will be beautiful and the fingerboard will provide a great backdrop for the inlay as it is designed and executed. Thanks so much Bob! By the way, the Italian Spruce that Bill is providing is also from Bob's shop. It was great to see people working together to make this thing happen as well as keeping it in the OLF family. Bob had offered several of the components that had already been committed, but his offers kept coming.

I'm also sure that the laminated neck being assembled and provided by Don Williams will be a real highlight of the overall appeal of this guitar not only for its beauty for all beholding it, but also for its rigidity and efficiency that will be obvious to all who play it. Thanks so much Don for your generosity and willingness to go above what I would have expected from anyone.

I'd also like to mention the extremely generous offer made by Doug at Blue Spirit Tonewood to upgrade his set of Bubinga to a beautiful set of African Blackwood. I was completely humbled by his offer and the wood will be an amazing addition to the guitar in both tone and appearance. It is the premiere tonewood available in the world right now, in my opinion, rivaling even the finest old growth Brazilian Rosewood in every respect. What an inspiring gesture! Thanks again Doug.

If anyone has made an offer to participate and I've failed to mention you here in this post, please forgive me. As I pick through as many as 300 emails a day and answer the phone and try to reply to the recent group of PMs here at the OLF, I can let a thing or two slip my mind, but your offers are greatly appreciated and are certainly known well beyond this forum or our communications. Intention is as powerful as the actual giving and the blessing for each can be equal so enjoy watching as the guitar comes together and becomes more than a guitar as it turns into a means of support for some very deserving children in an area of our world that has been wracked by hardship and pain from loss. You're all a part of it here at the OLF and I'm truly honored to a member here.

Many times, we see people give out of their abundance or out of what they have left over, but that hasn't been the case in any of you. You've all given the very best that you have and that speaks clearly of where your hearts are as well as your sense of selflessness and generosity. I was excited to be able to offer my time and efforts in this project before, but to that excitement has been added a true sense of honor, first, for being allowed to do it as a simple part of a group made up of you folks and, secondly, I'm truly humbled to be counted alongside of each of you and your families as we watch this thing come together to help these children so far away.

   I'll be sure to compile a huge stash of photos while on the trip as well as a clear progress series of photos as the guitar is being built.

I don't find myself short on words often...obviously, but an adequate thanks seems hard to find right now. I'm humbled.

In His Grip,
Kevin Gallagher



Kevin Gallagher38758.9653935185

Well Kevin, the only thing it sounds like you are missing is a pick, a set of strings and a Calton case.   

I can't wait to see the pics.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Kevin, those were kind, warm and humble words!

With the help of the master designer Himself to guide you I'm sure this guitar will be a miracle in itself!

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com