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That your just dieing to use? I have had this set of PauFerro (Also from AC Woods) For about 3 years now, and NOBODY will pick it for me to build with! I know I can just use it my self, but its just so purty, I want to save it for that somebody that it just speaks too! Know'wad I mean Vern!




I've only ever used PauFerro one time, and it was a joy to work with, finished like a dream!

LanceK38505.6182523148

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Lance,

Gorgeous set, I can't believe no one has taken it. Would it be in your base price, or would it be an upcharge for a set like that?

Jeff

Jeff - back when I bought it, it was cheaper than Rosewood, now its just a bit more, depends on what else the guitar had done to it, but id probably upcharge just a tad.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

i've never used pau ferro, but have read that it can cause alergic reactions like coco bolo. what was you experience with it?

That piece looks a little flat sawn tward the edges or is it just run out?

[QUOTE=MichaelP] That piece looks a little flat sawn tward the edges or is it just run out?[/QUOTE]
I've seen a lot worse used to build some great guitars. Looks like a lovely set to me.

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The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

[QUOTE=Bobc] [QUOTE=MichaelP] That piece looks a little flat sawn tward the edges or is it just run out?[/QUOTE]
I've seen a lot worse used to build some great guitars. Looks like a lovely set to me.[/QUOTE]

It looks super where it counts. I think it is just grain movement at the edges

Same story on a few sets I have too. Check this one out.

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

Sorry... I didn't realize that image was so huge.

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

I really like the look of the wood. I've also picked up some nice sets of Pao Ferro/Morado from the Zootman. I've been holding back on using it until I add an additional air filter, same with cocobolo. I wasn't aware of the possible allergic reaction when I purchased it and now think caution is the best approach. I really like the look even though some is more plain than your set (yours looks almost like a brown zircote). It is hard to believe it isn't selling. You can also pick up bridge blanks and fingerboards from LMI.

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

Lance,

Build it on spec. Your workmanship plus that wood is bound to sell! The uninitiated just don't realize how outstanding that's gonna look under finish!

Carlton

Here is a Pau Ferro guitar, in progress, but currently ready for finish. The set is quartersawn, but hard to tell due to the spider-webbing. The light area isn't sapwood either - that was cut away.



Also, I don't see a problem with using back sets that start out quartered/rift and move toward flat. You might lose some dimensional stability, but I like the look. More interesting than just vertical lines.

Lovely stuff! I've got two beautiful sets from Ed Dicks as well, one pretty dead-on quartered, on going towards rift-sawn on the edges. I'm looking forwarding to trying them out!

Nice looking guitar Steve, tell us about it? Looks like it might be an antique-y parlor guitar?
Don Williams38506.3575925926

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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."

Don's already seen some shots of these as they've been built.

That guitar is one of 2 early CF Martin/Stauffers that I have built. Not exact copies, but trying hard to capture the look and feel. Short scale (24") parlor guitars with the scroll headstock, cantilevered neck, ice cream cone heel - but X braced for steel strings.

One of the instruments is in the Martin museum and the other was in the Chinery collection. You might recognize it from various Martin books or the Boston MFA exhibition.

Hey Steve,

I meant to ask...is that Micarta you're using for the fretboard and headplate?

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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."

Pau Ferro one of my favoite woods and some beautiful example pictured in this post. I really don't understand why more players don't request it. A dream to finish too.
Steve that is a beautiful looking guitar. Very well executed too.

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
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The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Steve,
Wow! I guess making OM clones for a few years will give you the urge to mix things up a bit. That is a very exciting guitar. I can't wait to hear it. I can't make the NEL meeting this month so I guess I'll have to wait for the next one. Was that a commision or are you building it on spec? What is the fretboard made of?

Mike, you're right - I wanted to do something different. I love the OM/000 1930's Martin vibe, but decided to go back another 100 years - to 1834. The Philip Gura book inspired me to try my hand at an "original" Martin.

The guitars are spec, so definitely a risk in terms of time and money - but I'm optimistic. Everyone who has seen them has been very positive.

The fingerboard and headplate are white linen Micarta. I tried just about everything I could think of and this had the best look and physical characteristics. It's obviously not ivory, but has a nice feel and even subtle grain lines. It's actually a cool material. Cuts, scrapes, planes, sands well. Takes frets like a dream.

Martin has been using the black Micarta (or generic phenolic) as an ebony substitute for quite some time. They have also offered several guitars with the white fingerboards. Remember the "reverse" Dread (HD-N)?

Steve can you tell us your supplier for the Micarta

Most knifemaking suppliers have loads of stock - although generally in small sizes. You can ask them for larger and they may still have sheets they can cut from. True Micarta seems hard to find with the name/rights having been sold - but the phenolic sheet is a similar material.

Sheffield Supply occasionally has the white linen
Kopal Knifemaking is another source
Angus-Campbell Laminates will cut to size, but check prices before ordering (somewhat expensive)

Steve

I'm a knifemaker so Micarta is something I use a lot of. There is a lot of variation in the materials called "Micarta". The original made by Westinghouse and now by International Paper Company is the best (most consistent in how the phenolic saturates the paper, linen or canvas substrate material). The generic brands (usually referred to as phenolic composites or laminates) tend to vary widely with white linen being the most inconsistent, or maybe I should say having the most visible inconsistencies. Whenever I use a white Micarta I always buy the trademarked brand, and use the generics only in other colors, mostly green and black. Even in black though, if I were to use Micarta on something as valuable as a guitar, I would likely use the International Paper trademarked Micarta.

Unless it says "Micarta" it's likely the generic material. If you use the generic and see a problem with voids, revealed by dirty spots, you can usually wash it with soap and water, then add a few small drops of CA in the area and immediately sand with 220-400 grit paper to fill the voids. That usually works.

What Sheffield sells is a generic. Koval sells Micarta but not in sizes sufficient for fret boards. I'm really not sure where you find Micarta is fingerboard lengths. Thought I'd share what I know.

Wonderful guitar and beautiful wood btw.