Official Luthiers Forum!

Hesh,

I could not give Farukes Furry Fez about convention and I DO NOT think that the concept of this guitar is a mistake. In fact I really do think this one will look superb and I remain confident in your ability to make it sound great as well.

My two main points of concern however are, if you are painting it black, why use a top of that grade when you could use a tonally equal top which is aesthetically flawed? It just seems sacrilegious.

And the biggy for me. At the end of this build, when all is done and dusted, how will you be able to give fair comment on the tonal properties of Tiger Myrtle as a tonewood given that you have introduced so many new variables to what you have done in the past?

Be that as it may, this will not stop me from enjoying this build and I remain certain it will be a stunning guitar.....but why?

Cheers Mate

Kim
larkim39012.7478703704

That Tiger is sooooo purty!
Good luck and have fun with this one Hesh!

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Kim, I appreciate an excitement to know what this wood sounds like.
However, I don't think we should impose a responsibility on him. This is
his guitar: we shouldn't expect it to be a controlled experiment for the
community.       

Oh ye of little faith! I think that by now we can trust in Hesh's judgement when he designs a guitar. Relax--it's gonna look great, and will most likely sound terrific (only Serge knows for sure!). Fear not! He comes in peace.

Go forth and build a great guitar Hesh! I am sure it will be yet another winner in sound and flawless execution.

With apologies for posting my unsolicited thoughts on your design. Keep your corn flakes dry Hesh!

(Note to self: Time to spend more time in the shop working on my own builds).

[QUOTE=Hesh1956] Kim my friend not to worry I decided this morning to use the Tiger Myrtle to make a banjo instead……. (JUST KIDDING Mate)….

Do you really think that a gloss black top as done by Tony Ferguson an expert guitar finisher would impact the tone of a guitar? His finishes are super thin and since he builds too he is sensitive to any thing that has a tonal impact on the end resulting guitar. It’s not as if I am going to use epoxy garage floor paint on it……

There is an overall look that I am going for on this instrument and granted some things may be unconventional but as you must know by now I am no stranger to liking unconventional looks.

For example the gloss black top will be bound in ebony that will disappear with the black looking like the top of this guitar is ?” thick from the side view. Kind of like the look of a PRS or Les Paul. There will be no purfing to break up the gloss black.

The back and sides will be bound in Tiger once again making the bindings disappear and nothing will interrupt the Tiger from wrapping around the back to the sides. Now if I made it in a bowl shape we would have an Ovation….

Any way the idea is to use very nice real wood bindings which I always do any way but have them disappear and flow with the top, sides, and back. This breaks with the convention of contrasting bindings but is in keeping with the idea that an L-OO was a cheap, simple guitar in it’s day. They also were known to have black tops too.

I understand that I have been entrusted to build a great looking and sounding guitar with Tim’s superb Tiger Myrtle and that is exactly what I intend to do.

It’s just possible Kim that the black top and striking, uninterrupted Tiger back and sides will attract more attention then a plain jane….. conventional looking guitar. Admittedly it’s possible that in terms of looks it will suck too…… But life is always a risk of sorts and we live and learn right?

Kim my friend I very much appreciate your eloquent and thoughtful insight into why you think that this guitar, as planned, will be a mistake. I also understand that we both very much want to turn the world onto what incredible zoot Tiger Myrtle is. So I assure you my friend that I will endeavor to make this one stunning looking and great sounding as much as I am able to do so.

BTW I am also dealing with an L-OO design that is not known for producing a tone like a lightly built SJ. Personally I am more concerned about the impact of this then the impact of a black top….

Lastly, if your goal as is mine is to inform folks about Tiger Myrtle a little controversy is not a bad thing eh? It’s not like I just asked why bridges are shaped as they are is it?
[/QUOTE]

Black will look hot. Find a pic of that "Black & Tan" Mandolin that John Monteleone built. It looked fantastic. I think that is going to look great.

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

Hesh, I just went back and saw that is your mat, great looking mat, It appeared to be checkered purfling. I am getting old and my eyes are not what they used to be but I still try and see without glasses.

The tiger myrtle is awesome, I can also tell all of you new folks that when the Heshmiester has made up his mind on a guitar, no amount of discussion can sway his mind, or at least not in the past. Whatever Hesh decides to do it will look and play great I am sure. Hesh would also not put anything less than the highest quality top on one even if he is going to paint, burst or whatever on it and to it.

Keep up the good work buddy, I have not seen one of yours yet that I would not be proud to own.

Mike

[QUOTE=James Orr] Kim, I appreciate an excitement to know what this wood sounds like.
However, I don't think we should impose a responsibility on him. This is
his guitar: we shouldn't expect it to be a controlled experiment for the
community.       [/QUOTE]

Yes James I know, I know.....but no harm in trying old son

And besides, when put politely enough, as I believe I was, I think Hesh is gracious enough to accept my points of view without taking offence. And I am sure, at least I hope, that my comments were never taken by Hesh as being anything other than just my own opinions, opinions which given the opportunity I seen at hand, I felt worthy of consideration.

Just like the rest of you lot, I have complete faith in Hesh's ability to do a truly wonderful job with this guitar and I have never once suggested for a second that this guitar would look anything less than fantastic.

If you could not understand that point from what I posted above, allow me to make this perfectly clear once again "I REALLY REALLY do like the concept of this guitar VERY VERY much. I REALLY REALLY do think it will look GREAT"

I understand that some may be a little put out by my comments and thats OK because I knew I was in for a hiding with this one before I posted, but sometimes, warm and gooey just does not sit too well and I would rather suffer the consequences and maintain the purpose of the visit

So here is something for those who would consider my earlier comments to be forthright, unpleasant, or brash. If we all just kept our opinions to ourselves, smiling and patting each other on the back with nods of approval for every single thing that each other does, we may as well all just join a big old cuddly support group rather than have a FORUM on guitar building.

(I been tak'in Mario lessons )

Go the Heshmister, cheers and peace to all

Kim (The Bruiser)

[quote]Oh ye of little faith! I think that by now we can trust in Hesh's judgement [/quote]

Oh Yea! He originaly wanted to paint the top lime green! I talked to him like I liked him, and, finally, Serge had to promise him the beer drinking alien to change his mind.

Geesh! You guys should be happy with what you're getting!   

   Billy T39013.0245486111

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

I love this place Man, even i, myself, learned how to be blunt DAMMIKT!    Poor Mark Trip, was he surprised to hear me say that his label sucked when in fact i thought it was pretty!

Kim, i love your honesty and great respect in how you take time to voice a fair opinion, and honestly, i thought the same way as you when Hesh mentionned his intent the first time but felt i had to restrain (sp?) myself by respect to personal tastes and trust of Hesh's abilities to come up with another great one, like Carlton mentionned up above, i can attest fully of his undeniable talent in the craft and i also trust his great rationale and judgement, you and i will be amazed at this one like we were at all the others that came out of his legendary bathroom, i'm sure!

And just to be sure you are ok with what i said Kim, i think that it was ok you said it aweright?

Cheers mate!

   I thought the black top is a great idea when Hesh told me from the get go!

     I've even hated bursts, intensly, but after seeing the work Tony did on Hesh's and Lance's guitars I don't feel so strong about then anymore. I still wouldn't do one myself, but!

   Serge when have you ever been blunt?

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Hey Kim

I don't believe you were rude or a jerk for even the slightest bit of a
second and I'm not put off by your ideas at all. And I DO think you were
completely polite. Nothing came across harsh in the least bit. I feel the
responsibility of defending color whenever color might seem threatened        &n bsp;         &n bsp;     

[quote=Kim]we may as well all just join a big old cuddly support group rather than have a FORUM on guitar building.[/quote]

     I thought the OLF was "a big old cuddly support group" THAT builds guitars!! That's why we have one of these

    I think everybody understood what you said as opinion based on personal taste. I have a great deal of regard for your straight forward and lighthearted statements. I personally was not offended at all. Your wrong.... Hesh's guitar will look great... but I wasn't offended!

I must admit it does seem odd to paint something like a nice soundboard, but it's not any worse than a burst...IMHO.
    

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Thank you Billy,

You would do very well in Australia, were used to convicts and undesirables down here, so much so that we even let them run the country

Cheers Mate, appreciate the sentiment

Kim

[QUOTE=Billy T] That's why we have one of these
    
[/QUOTE]

GAWD Billy! Where did you get that emoticon??? I love it. I about woke up the house laughing, which is not a good thing at 4:30 in the morning. But I couldn't help myself.

_________________
Aoibeann

Wow Hesh! That is one gorgeous set of wood!

I can't wait to see that guitar all done! It's a good thing Hesh is speedy at building since I'm so impatient! I'm sure you will do it justice and then some!

I too was a bit put off when I first heard that Hesh wanted to paint the top black, but after I knew the reasons for doing so (historical accuracy) and all that, I warmed up to the idea immensely. When's the last time you saw a guitar with a black top?!!!

I understand Hesh's point of view. He's up to 11 now and they can't all be the same now, can they? How does the saying go? Variety is the spice of life!

I'm sure Hesh will be so impressed with Shane's Lutz that he will build many others with it, not all of them with black or burst tops!!! Anyways, once he gives me that gorgeous guitar, I'll forgive him for using a fellow canucks zoot for paint gun practice!!!

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

[quote]GAWD Billy! Where did you get that emoticon??? [/quote]

    I don't know if I should be telling you this, Sergicons are an ancient and mysterious practice from the early days of the OLF. Like back... in february, I think.

   I don't know if anybody, really knows, where they came from!

   One can find, them with special personal preparation and searching through this link. Sergicons

Please, don't triffle with them, they have unknown powers to cause joy, mirth and hilarity!!! Please!!

   If you choose to delve into the Sergicon discipline, Right click, the Sergicon- copy them to your HD- post them as a regular picture in the place of your choosing.

Good Luck Lillian! Billy T39014.0151273148

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Billy, i wish i knew how to create at least one with your mug on it bud!

[quote]Billy, i wish i knew how to create at least one with your mug on it bud! [/quote]

Huhm! I bet you do!   

    I would say, you could get our best buddy The Flushmiester , to help you, but, unfortunately, I think the "Barneyosaurus Hesh" scared the poor guy straight!

    Of course, I havn't done anything either after you posted that, closeup optivisor, shot - YIPES! I put down, Man!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

You better, remember, i do have a picayou face!

Cool Hesh, let's make a Billycon, one with horns might be appropriate huh?