Official Luthiers Forum!

[QUOTE=Anthony Z]
Your bracing intrigues me, if I read your reply to Arnt correctly it sounds like you “X” braced it then have ?” x ?” parallel braces running from the neck to tail block? With all that bracing I am curious as to how it sounds acoustically. (Plugged in I’ll bet that baby wails with those TV Jones pick-ups).
[/QUOTE]

Not to answer for Paul, but after cutting the holes for the pick-ups and mounting them the top should certainly be quieter! Which was also what the "trestle bracing" was about. As I understand it, it was was what Gretch came up with in 1959 when Chet Atkins wanted a more electic sound in his guitar. The more solid bracing also helped against feedback, and the old trestle braced 6120's are very sought after (I'm pretty sure it also helps that Brian Setzer's main axe is a '59 6120!).

I can't remember how the one I examined was braced, but I remember seeing a sound post in another Gretch, which is another way of dealing with the feedback problem.

Anyways, it would be great if you had some pictures of the bracing, Paul! Oh, and another option in your color range could be the cream /sparkly gold binding a la the White Falcon, O ye!

<edit> I'm such a slow typer that Paul answered long before I finished this post...Arnt38889.449849537

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

I talked to one of the production designers at Gretsch as well as Tom of TV Jones. Yes, feedback can be an issue with these. Gretsch started putting 4 soundposts in all of the falcons. At the upper portion of the x and about halfway down the lower leg of the x. This keeps the top and back bouncing together. I didn't do this but am considering it in the future if feedback becomes a problem.
The white falcons are the only ones I'm not crazy about. I just don't really care for white and gold together. Just taste.

[QUOTE=Pwoolson]
The white falcons are the only ones I'm not crazy about. I just don't really care for white and gold together. Just taste.[/QUOTE]

I know what you mean, I'm usually not very fond of stuff like that myself. I guess in the case of sparkly guitars and White Falcons in particular it's an acquired taste after being among too many greasy rockers in my mis-spent youth!

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Hesh, you goin' to Montreal too bud?

This guitar is a lot of fun to play and suprisingly loud.

I was actually sorry to see it leave.   

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John Watkins
CNC Guitar Parts

Very nice Paul...it has just enough maple to draw peoples attention. It is definitely reminiscent of the Gretsch. Are you thinking of doing an Acoustic archtop version as well?

I will take an archtop over a Les Paul any day. I play an early Gibson Johnny Smith electric and a Gibson L-5 acoustic.

Well done...it should get alot of attention in Montreal

real purty paul! I would like to see more pics of the finished product with elaborate descriptions of how you did it.

John

Paul,

Nice guitar! Good call on using flamed maple for the binding--it'll immediately set it apart from production models. A couple of questions: What paint did you use for the finish, and did you add clear coats to top it off? Also, I'm interested in what scale and neck dimensions you decided to use for this one.

Have we seen the other guitars you plan to take to Montreal? If not, I sure would like to (bet others would, too)! Hey, even if we have seen them, I bet they'll look just as good the second time around!

Paul, I think I understand your bracing scheme now. Why 3/4" x 3/4" -- seems kinda large?

Is the top carved spruce?

Binding "f" holes with flamed maple is real fun. I've got two in the white right now that I CA'd in maple. On one I stuck my hand to the back of the plate....ouch!

I am looking forward to seeing more pics!

I can't get pics that I'm happy with. Nothing like trying to shoot gloss black. May as well try to photograph a mirror.
Carlton: You've seen one other one, the mahogany topped LG. In about a week I'll post all of them together.
the paint is catalyzed poly urathane. Yes, clear over the black. Tony did the finish. Scale is 25.5 and neck is 1.75 to 2.125.
Anthony. Yes, the struts are big but I really wanted to make sure I didn't miss them when I routed the cavities. Now that I know where everything will go, I'll be able to use just small tabs to hold the screws. Yes, carved top and back.

Very tastefully done and just way cool. It's nice to see some electrics pop up here now and then.

[QUOTE=Brock Poling] [QUOTE=old man] That's beautiful, Paul. I sure want to build one like that someday. Looks like a hollow body Les Paul. What, in your opinion, is the best book available that'll show how to do that?

Ron[/QUOTE]

Like this one? It is a baby compared to that.

Cool Axe Paul.

[/QUOTE]


Wow, that's beautiful, Brock. I'd love to see pics of the finished product.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

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

[QUOTE=Pwoolson]Carlton: You've seen one other one, the mahogany topped LG. In about a week I'll post all of them together.
the paint is catalyzed poly urathane. Yes, clear over the black. Tony did the finish. Scale is 25.5 and neck is 1.75 to 2.125. [/QUOTE]
Thanks for the info, Paul. I was wondering if you'd gone with a wider than standard (for this kind of guitar, anyway) nut. Cool!

Lookin' forward to those photos.

Woolson...

You've been holding out my friend, that thing is AWESOME!!

Have you decided how much your going to sell them for??, I can't walk into a Guitar Center without drooling over the Gretches on the wall, but they can be pricey. But with the quality of your work you can ask a pretty penny for sure...

Great Stuff, wish I could have gone to montreal...

-Paul-

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-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

Whew, Photographing gloss black is a tough job. I didn't do the best job but you get the idea.
Pics as requested. P






Pwoolson38890.5013657407

Paul, what a great job!! I love it! did you finish it yourself?

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

Nope, Tony did it. I've just been doing my part in screwing it up.

Paul, nice job and very different from guy like you.

JUST FABULOUS PAUL...

I realy like your headstock shape and nice looking F-holes. Very Cool Guitar Paul .

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Hey, I'm glad you gave us the headstock shot! Looks like you did a countersink for the gear washers--Nice! Your "W" is classy, too. I've been having a difficult time trying to visualize an "M" that hasn't been done before...hmmm...if I flip over your "W"....

Very nice work Paul. I'm sure it will be a hit at the Montreal Show.

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

Man that is one coooooool axe Paul, love the shape and style, love the fittings, love the color, you have really good taste well done.

I think you are going to get a great response from this line, it's a very nice addition to the stable.

Cheers

Kim