Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi everyone

I'm hoping to start on a small bodied guitar. Can anyone make some
recommendations? Feel free to post pics, I don't have anything too
specific in mind.

As I'm writing this, it seems Blues Creek is under construction, so I
haven't perused those plans yet.

I may just wait until the jumbo parlor plans become available here on the
OLF, but I am a big fan of the Santa Cruz 00, but I'm unsure of the
dimensions. Anyone have some sources?

Thanks in advance for any leads!

Martin or Gibson? I played a C10 Collings which is a Gibson L-00 rendition, and .... fell in love.

A guy named Dotson over at the Mimf from ElPaso, sent me a Gibson L-1 and I converted the shape to L-00 dimensions.

The first I built was off that conjured up shape and used my Martin bracing scheme. (overbuilt)

Then I saw a guy in Tennessee who had a top off an old L-00 Gibson. It had 1/4 inch bracing and a single finger brace.

So verbally, that's about it. Take a look at James Burkett's website, he may have pics of that old top up still.

Also, a guy was selling a L_00 BluesKing and was nice enough to send me a tracing of that guitar. When compared to my rendition it was very close, which amazed me. So I decided to stick with my originial L-00 shape. I do plan to follow the Gibson bracing scheme from now on for this model.

I have no info on a 00 Martin, but someone will.

Bruce Dickey38808.6566898148

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Evan
The guitar I just posted was an 0 Martin guitar. Not a 00 Martin. It is a nice
small body guitar. i got the form/mold from John
As far as plans, I talked to John and came up with my own design. We will
see how it works out

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

I'm going to be measuring a Gibson 1930's 12 fret L-0 this week. I'll let youall know what I find (other than that the guitar is in immaculate condition and sounds and plays beautifully). A friend has it in his shop, so I better hurry before he sells it.

Al

[QUOTE=Bruce Dickey] A guy named Dotson over at the Mimf from ElPaso[/QUOTE]

That be Mike Dotson! He hangs here also. Mike makes really cool "Weissonator" guitars.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

John Dodson, El Paso, I believe that is the fellow.

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Here's a shot of Gibson L-00 bracing.

CrowDuck

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Chris Nielsen
Soquel, CA.

Thanks for the responses. I do like the old Gibson designs, although to
be honest, not a big fan of Gibson as a company. Seems like they have
really inconsistent building practices, but they were on the mark with
their 12 fretters. Is the L-00 similar in size to the Robert Johnsons?

Andy, I really like the design of your current build. That would also be in
the running I'd have to say. I think I'll have to get in contact with John
Hall.

Thanks everyone.

That's a nice bracing shot!
The MIMF does sell a L-00 plan, too. I don't know of anyone else that sells a plan of that type of guitar. It's a 14 fretter.

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Mark Swanson
Swanson Guitars
http://www.MarkSwansonMusic.com

I have compared a 12 fret and a 14 fret gibson L-00 and what they seem to have done is just shift the whole top, soundhole and bracing back to fit the scale length. I do that for my models and it works well.

I think Gibson had two L-OO designs...One like Chris posted above, and one earlier 12-fret design with a rounded lower bout, like Robert Johnson played.

From what I read, the famous picture of Robert Johnson he is holding an L-0, aparently not even his, Ma Carter's as the story goes, but someone needed a picture so he grabbed what was there. Of course that was just story When you start talking about Gibson's though you find a lot of inconsistancies, Some have one lower sound bar some 2, some have one finger brace and some 2 per side. Do what works.

I have a Gibson, Nick Lucas Special Reissue 14 fret. I can measure the outside dimensions if you like, let me know.

CrowDuck

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Chris Nielsen
Soquel, CA.

Chris, that would be great to have those dimensions and how bout some pics?   

I'd love to borrow that guitar for a week or so. bd

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

I just ran across 2 L-00's yesterday at a local music store. They were both painted black and it looked like it was original. Were they all black? Just asking cause these are the first ones I've seen.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Were they Gibbys and how much did they want for them?

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Yeah Bruce, they were Gibsons. I can't remember exactly but I think they were in the $1500-1600 range.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars