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A-2 German spruce / Pau rosa
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Author:  Laurent Brondel [ Fri Jan 04, 2008 2:23 am ]
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It's one of the guitars I completed at the end of last year. Happy new year 2008 by the way!
It's my take on the OM thing, perhaps a little rounder in the curves and with a deeper body. The Pau rosa set came from Bob and I have to say I really like this tonewood in spite of its (heavy) weight. The neck is made with Angelique, a mahogany substitute widely used in boat-building. It's heavier than the average Honduran mahogany, but lighter than any rosewood. I really like it and will use it again. Thanks for looking!









Author:  LanceK [ Fri Jan 04, 2008 2:33 am ]
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Beautiful!   
Author:  Hesh [ Fri Jan 04, 2008 2:46 am ]
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Laurent buddy another beauty from you!!!

Are you batching the finishing because your high level out output is making us all look bad
Author:  SniderMike [ Fri Jan 04, 2008 2:47 am ]
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Very nice. I really like that rosette.
Author:  Sam Price [ Fri Jan 04, 2008 3:04 am ]
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Author:  WaddyThomson [ Fri Jan 04, 2008 3:27 am ]
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That is KILLER!  I, too, like the rosette, a lot.  Great aesthetics built into that guitar, all the way around.  Nice!
Author:  David R White [ Fri Jan 04, 2008 4:29 am ]
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Nice guitar Laurent. I'm particularly interested in any more feedback you have on the Pau Rosa. I am just starting my first Pau Rosa build, an OM as well. My Pau Rosa is also a little heavy. Any more comments on the Pau Rosa - tone, thickness, bending?
Author:  Laurent Brondel [ Fri Jan 04, 2008 4:42 am ]
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[QUOTE=drwhite] Nice guitar Laurent. I'm particularly interested in any more feedback you have on the Pau Rosa. I am just starting my first Pau Rosa build, an OM as well. My Pau Rosa is also a little heavy. Any more comments on the Pau Rosa - tone, thickness, bending?[/QUOTE]

It bends easily, no particular extra moisture or heat is required compared to, say, Honduran rosewood, although the wood is stiff, closed pores, but oily. It can be thinned quite a bit, I think the back is around .070" on this guitar. Tone is always tricky, it's a German top so… Anyway it compares to the harder RWs like cocobolo or Honduran, a lot of bass and clear attack with present overtones. It is also powerful, but again it could be more a function of the top. I'd have to build other Pau rosa guitars with different tops to judge. But I like it a lot.
Some samples of the guitar can be heard here:
DADGAD
CGDGCD
Author:  joelThompson [ Fri Jan 04, 2008 4:43 am ]
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very nice i love the understated rosete.

Well done.

Joel.
Author:  Bobc [ Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:32 am ]
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Gorgeous guitar Laurent. That's the second Pau Rosa I have seen built from my sets. Mind if I snag a few pic's?
Author:  Laurent Brondel [ Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:37 am ]
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[QUOTE=Bobc] Gorgeous guitar Laurent. That's the second Pau Rosa I have seen built from my sets. Mind if I snag a few pic's?[/QUOTE]

Please do Bob! And let me know when you locate other pau rosa sets.
Author:  Bobc [ Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:43 am ]
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Thanks Laurent. I'll post them on my web. I just happen to have some beautiful Pau Rosa planks that I will be cutting into sets soon.
Author:  TommyC [ Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:59 am ]
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Very nice Laurent! I am particularly interested in the Angelique. Where does
it come from? I guess it must be fairly stable. Thanks for sharing.
Author:  rich altieri [ Sun Jan 06, 2008 12:21 pm ]
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Beautiful build. Really like the simple elegence of your headstock, bridge and bindings and rosette. Love everything about this guitar - absoutly stunning - congratulations
Author:  Dave Anderson [ Sun Jan 06, 2008 12:32 pm ]
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Very nice looking guitar and it sounds sweeet!
Author:  James W B [ Sun Jan 06, 2008 12:48 pm ]
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Very Cool and original.
                  James
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Sun Jan 06, 2008 2:52 pm ]
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Beautiful indeed.
Is that a varnish finish?

Steve
Author:  Laurent Brondel [ Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:46 pm ]
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[QUOTE=TommyC]I am particularly interested in the Angelique. Where does it come from? I guess it must be fairly stable.[/QUOTE]

It was given to me and came from a shipyard. It is incredibly stable and stiff, although slightly heavier than the average Hond. mah. However it is full of mineral deposits so it dulls edge tools pretty quickly. The dust doesn't smell great either…


[QUOTE=Steve Kinnaird] Beautiful indeed.
Is that a varnish finish? Steve[/QUOTE]

Yes, Behlen Rockhard with shellac sealer. I coloured some of the varnish coats by adding some cocobolo and bloodwood dissolved in 50/50 acetone/alcohol.
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Mon Jan 07, 2008 3:34 pm ]
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Thanks, Laurent.
I asked because--I believe--the last one you posted had a varnish finish. And this guitar looks similar. Well, the finish does.

I'm doing a varnish finish now, and instead of the Behlen's product, I'm using Pratt & Lambert's #38. If you want some "color", this might be worth a try. This varnish is so dark, I can't see through it to the bottom of the can. I've got three coats on now, and the guitar is showing a nice amber hue.

Steve
Author:  Jim Watts [ Mon Jan 07, 2008 4:24 pm ]
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Laurent, That's a really elegant guitar. Very nice.
Author:  Laurent Brondel [ Mon Jan 07, 2008 10:28 pm ]
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Steve, how do you like the Pratt & Lambert compared to the Behlen? Do you feel it dries as hard, or harder, but keeping some elasticity, or does it feel softer? I'd love to see pics!
Author:  Kim [ Mon Jan 07, 2008 11:28 pm ]
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Beautiful work Laurent, nothing brash, just expertly blended colours and craftsmanship, well done. The bridge is unique, I like it very much, which wood is it made from and did you happen to weigh it??

Cheers

Kim
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Tue Jan 08, 2008 1:25 am ]
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[QUOTE=laurent] Steve, how do you like the Pratt & Lambert compared to the Behlen? Do you feel it dries as hard, or harder, but keeping some elasticity, or does it feel softer? I'd love to see pics![/QUOTE]

Laurent, I'll post some pics when I get further along.
I'm afraid I can't answer your question as I haven't worked with the Behlen varnish. No base of comparison.

The P&L does seem hard, though.

Steve
Author:  Laurent Brondel [ Tue Jan 08, 2008 2:27 am ]
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Kim, the bridge is ebony. Sorry, I do not weigh my parts. It's pretty light though, footprint is small and wings a tad thinner than, say, Martin bridges.

Steve, pics would be great. I am always looking for alternatives, I love the Rockhard but sometimes wish I could find a very clear finish, and sometimes a darker one (which is easy enough with colours), with the same properties as the Behlen.
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