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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Fri Apr 10, 2020 12:47 pm 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:25 am
Posts: 154
Location: United States
First name: Bruce
Last Name: Sexauer
City: Petaluma
State: Ca
Zip/Postal Code: 94952
Country: Usa
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
Mandelbrot's Fractal Theory . . . is that the one about memory being fractured as time goes by? :) I do know something about fractals, but I do not recall claiming to be influence by that knowledge. I have used the concept to rationalize the uneven size of my peone, the random sizing of which may contribute to the balance of my guitars, balance being a feature of utmost importance to me now that I take volume and tone for granted (HA HA).

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These users thanked the author Bruce Sexauer for the post: George L (Fri Apr 10, 2020 8:22 pm)
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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Fri Apr 10, 2020 3:48 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:20 am
Posts: 5968
If you are into Fractal Theory you might want to check out where Mandelbrot meets Lichtenburg:
viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=52876

It might make a cool addition to the back of a guitar if you could avoid burn through and/or frying yourself in the process. pizza


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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Fri Apr 10, 2020 8:35 pm 
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Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Fri May 09, 2008 2:25 pm
Posts: 1957
First name: George
City: Seattle
State: WA
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Interesting! I remember being intrigued by your mention of fractals and obviously created an idea that it represented some kind of profound moment in your evolution as a luthier. That is quite hilarious, really. Just goes to show you how a new builder can latch onto a minor thing and conflate it into a grand philosophy. Fractal theory sounds pretty cool, though, right? Could make a good line for the guitar show circuit. laughing6-hehe

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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Sat Apr 11, 2020 7:12 am 
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Contributing Member
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Joined: Tue Dec 17, 2013 10:52 pm
Posts: 3076
First name: Don
Last Name: Parker
City: Charleston
State: West Virginia
Zip/Postal Code: 25314
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Fractal theory: It sounds like you are making a mountain out of a smaller, but otherwise identical, molehill.


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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2020 4:51 pm 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:25 am
Posts: 154
Location: United States
First name: Bruce
Last Name: Sexauer
City: Petaluma
State: Ca
Zip/Postal Code: 94952
Country: Usa
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
I have enjoyed sharing this build it OLF. You folks are relatively interactive, which makes the time seem well spent. Thank you.

I don't see a lot of other build threads here, so I don't know whether or not this s something you'd like to see more of.

I will pick this up when the guitar is through finish and share the result with you in the same thread. Meanwhile, I though you would be amused that I have found the "Couch Noodler", a serous design departure for me, interesting enough that I have started another one. #2 will be from a relatively modest set of the BRW that I still have a fair bit of in my WoodLocker. If I were making a bigger guitar (OM,say) this is an entry level set, but perfect for this modestly sized piece.

This material is so close to perfectly quartered, particularly toward the edge, that the Medulary display, always rare in BRW, is stunning . . . in a subtle way.

The vertical dark line is a real thing, unexplainable by my experience.

Image

The fine vertical lines that resemble flame are medullary rays:

Image

If you notice the degrade at the extreme outside edge of the lower bout you may understand why I couldn't build a bigger guitar with this set, hence another Noodler.

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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2020 5:17 pm 
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Koa
Koa

Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2019 4:50 pm
Posts: 1259
Location: Goodrich, MI
First name: Ken
Last Name: Nagy
City: Goodrich
State: MI
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I can't imagine that anyone here would be bored by "yet another" build thread. I know I wouldn't be. That wood is pretty nice.

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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2020 8:47 pm 
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Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Fri May 09, 2008 2:25 pm
Posts: 1957
First name: George
City: Seattle
State: WA
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Ken Nagy wrote:
I can't imagine that anyone here would be bored by "yet another" build thread. I know I wouldn't be. That wood is pretty nice.


Seconded!

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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2020 9:14 pm 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:25 am
Posts: 154
Location: United States
First name: Bruce
Last Name: Sexauer
City: Petaluma
State: Ca
Zip/Postal Code: 94952
Country: Usa
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
Well, I guess I'll have to start a new thread.

Meanwhile, here is the rosette (not that I'm ready to admit I worked on Easter Sunday). It is related to the last one, Gibson inspired as it were, certainly not Martin. Abalone center rather than marquetry, and Koa instead of Maple. This Polish spruce (EuroSpruce) I got last year and the cost was quite reasonable. I ordered 4 "Mastergrade" tops, and they sent me 7 tops none of which fit my pre-conceptions for perfect, but all of which are useable. About $300 landed!

Image

Image

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These users thanked the author Bruce Sexauer for the post: bcombs510 (Sun Apr 12, 2020 10:04 pm)
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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Mon Apr 13, 2020 4:41 am 
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Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2007 2:05 am
Posts: 685
Location: Saint Petersburg, Florida
First name: Glenn
Last Name: LaSalle
City: Saint Petersburg
State: Florida
Status: Amateur
Thank you for the rosette close-ups! I really like it alot. What are the darker strips (I am assuming the lighter ones are the Koa)

Glenn


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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Mon Apr 13, 2020 7:51 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Tue May 13, 2008 10:44 am
Posts: 6256
Location: Virginia
That's a beautiful set of rosewood and that line is certainly very interesting. I wonder what that could be?


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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Mon Apr 13, 2020 11:43 am 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:25 am
Posts: 154
Location: United States
First name: Bruce
Last Name: Sexauer
City: Petaluma
State: Ca
Zip/Postal Code: 94952
Country: Usa
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
Glenn LaSalle wrote:
Thank you for the rosette close-ups! I really like it alot. What are the darker strips (I am assuming the lighter ones are the Koa)

Glenn


The black is fiber, which supports cold bending beautifully. The white is maple. The red is dyed maple (probably). The brown is Koa. There are 30 strips of “wood” plus the abalone!

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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Thu May 07, 2020 9:16 pm 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:25 am
Posts: 154
Location: United States
First name: Bruce
Last Name: Sexauer
City: Petaluma
State: Ca
Zip/Postal Code: 94952
Country: Usa
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
Today I buffed out the Snakewood "Couch Noodler" and glued the neck into the body. More on this coming right up.

Image

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http://mojoluthier.com


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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Fri May 08, 2020 12:39 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
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Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 12:12 pm
Posts: 3293
First name: Bryan
Last Name: Bear
City: St. Louis
State: Mo
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
That looks really nice!

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Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.


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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Fri May 08, 2020 3:42 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
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Joined: Sun Feb 27, 2005 10:11 am
Posts: 2173
Wow, It's stunning!


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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Sun May 10, 2020 9:08 pm 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:25 am
Posts: 154
Location: United States
First name: Bruce
Last Name: Sexauer
City: Petaluma
State: Ca
Zip/Postal Code: 94952
Country: Usa
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
Strung the Snakewood this morning and put in some time behind it. Unique and beautiful. Still short cleaning and minor set-up, possibly a PG. Here are some pics in the afternoon sun:

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Mon May 11, 2020 7:48 am 
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Koa
Koa

Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2017 8:43 am
Posts: 1707
Very clean work Bruce. Lovely


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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Mon May 11, 2020 9:55 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Tue May 13, 2008 10:44 am
Posts: 6256
Location: Virginia
Yup I like just about everything on that guitar. The purfs with that binding and rosette really stick out and the snakewood is just something really special. What is the fretboard inlay? Almost looks like an agave plant.


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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Mon May 11, 2020 11:19 am 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:25 am
Posts: 154
Location: United States
First name: Bruce
Last Name: Sexauer
City: Petaluma
State: Ca
Zip/Postal Code: 94952
Country: Usa
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
jfmckenna wrote:
Yup I like just about everything on that guitar. The purfs with that binding and rosette really stick out and the snakewood is just something really special. What is the fretboard inlay? Almost looks like an agave plant.


The owner thinks it looks like a Lotus blossom, which is what he asked for. Someone in another forum thought it looks like a water lily, which a lotus blossom might be. I looked at hundreds of pictures of both abstract and actual lotus blossoms before I made this. It is intended to be more actual than abstract, but of course it is MOP and abalone so . . . Whatever.

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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Mon May 11, 2020 1:35 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Tue May 13, 2008 10:44 am
Posts: 6256
Location: Virginia
Ah yes I can see the lotus now.


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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Wed May 13, 2020 11:38 pm 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:25 am
Posts: 154
Location: United States
First name: Bruce
Last Name: Sexauer
City: Petaluma
State: Ca
Zip/Postal Code: 94952
Country: Usa
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
Made a page on my site today for this guitar:

http://www.sexauerluthier.com/Snakewood.html

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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Sun May 17, 2020 2:31 pm 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:25 am
Posts: 154
Location: United States
First name: Bruce
Last Name: Sexauer
City: Petaluma
State: Ca
Zip/Postal Code: 94952
Country: Usa
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
This story is complete, for the moment, as I delivered the guitar this morning. The buyer is sophisticated, by which I mean this is far from their first high end guitar, though it is their first from my bench. Won't be the last though, and I also received a retainer for a future build.

The guitar was a bit stiff when strung, and I got inside and relieved the X a bit. The treble was truly outstanding from the get go, and I didn't want to diminish it, but a bit looser a response seemed advisable. I did get that, and the guitar seemed better every day since stringing. It'll never be a dreadnought, but does have an exquisite voice, and projects better than expected, especially for a Couch Noodler!

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http://mojoluthier.com


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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Sun May 17, 2020 4:50 pm 
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Koa
Koa

Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2017 8:43 am
Posts: 1707
Lovely guitar Bruce:)


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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Sun May 17, 2020 8:24 pm 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:25 am
Posts: 154
Location: United States
First name: Bruce
Last Name: Sexauer
City: Petaluma
State: Ca
Zip/Postal Code: 94952
Country: Usa
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
SnowManSnow wrote:
Lovely guitar Bruce:)


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Thank you. I wish you could hear it as it is most unusual and very interesting.

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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Sun May 17, 2020 8:24 pm 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:25 am
Posts: 154
Location: United States
First name: Bruce
Last Name: Sexauer
City: Petaluma
State: Ca
Zip/Postal Code: 94952
Country: Usa
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
SnowManSnow wrote:
Lovely guitar Bruce:)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you. I wish you could hear it as it is most unusual and very interesting.

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http://mojoluthier.com


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 Post subject: Re: Snakewood build
PostPosted: Sun May 17, 2020 8:38 pm 
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Koa
Koa

Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2017 8:43 am
Posts: 1707
Bruce Sexauer wrote:
SnowManSnow wrote:
Lovely guitar Bruce:)


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Thank you. I wish you could hear it as it is most unusual and very interesting.

I’ve been following you builds for years (mostly on AFG) I would have lived to heard it. So cool you got to deliver it


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