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Gentlemen, my FIRST!!!!!!!!!
http://www-.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=4492		 Page 1 of 3
Author:  old man [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:42 am ]
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Hello, everyone, I finally finished my very first guitar. It is scratch built except the FB was radiused and slotted by LMI and DePaule did my pearl. It is very plain as I was just trying to learn the techniques, but man am I proud of the result. It sounds fabulous to me. I've got a list of the mistakes I made so hopefully I can eliminate them next time. Sorry there are so many pics, I just couldn't help myself.

















Thanks for looking. I could have not done it without you guys.


Ron
Author:  LanceK [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:47 am ]
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What a beauty! You SHOULD be proud!

Author:  Chas Freeborn [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:48 am ]
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BRAVO!!
Author:  John How [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:53 am ]
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Most excellent Ron!!!
Author:  Michael Dale Payne [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 7:02 am ]
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Author:  Serge Poirier [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 7:05 am ]
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Tres elegante! Congratulations mon ami Ron! Great achievement my friend!

Serge
Author:  Arnt Rian [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 7:08 am ]
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Good job!
Author:  L. Presnall [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 7:12 am ]
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Excellent work! I bet you got the bug now huh?!!
Author:  Skip Beach [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 7:17 am ]
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Congratulations Ron, it's lovely. You did a very neat job & I like dreadnaughts on the less dressy side of things - it seems more appropriate to me.
Even so, good solid purfling & binding choices - nice job there. Very clean work inside too. Now, go make a few more!!

SkipSkip Beach38729.637962963
Author:  Wade Sylvester [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 7:30 am ]
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A Classy First Ron!
Real nice!
Author:  LarryH [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 7:37 am ]
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REALLY NICE! You should be very proud and I don't know if I'm like others here but there are never enough pics for me.

Can you give us more details on wood types, bindings, purfling, wood finish etc? I also noticed you used a zero fret, any history behind that decision?

Again, beautiful work - NOT beautiful for a first time guitar - just beautiful.

LARRYLarryH38729.6531134259
Author:  burbank [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 7:40 am ]
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Ron,

VERY nice first guitar! Tastefully done. Your woodworking experience has served you well. From one oldster to another, goes to show some oldsters still got it!

Pat
Author:  Serge Poirier [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 7:41 am ]
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What kind of wood did you use Ron?
Author:  RussellR [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:07 am ]
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Hi Ron

I've been waiting for this one, I knew it was going to be a beauty, I Love it !!

I love the simple and very clean lines, and you workmanship is very clean.

Be Proud First Class
Author:  JBreault [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:11 am ]
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Ron, very nice job!

When do you start #2?
Author:  Philip Perdue [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:13 am ]
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Very Nice! You should take pride in your first guitar. I can only hope my first will be near as nice. What were the things that caused the most problems for you?

Philip
Author:  Wayne Clark [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:13 am ]
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Sweet looking guitar - congratulations!

I'll second the request for details.
Author:  Steve Saville [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:16 am ]
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Very nice! Congrats!
Author:  old man [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:29 am ]
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Thanks for all the nice words, it means a lot to me.

The back and sides are cherry, top is sitka. FB, peghead overlay, bridge, heel cap, and all binding is ebony. Neck is one piece mahogany. Schaller tuners, bone saddle, nut and pins. The neck is finished in tru-oil (UK influenced),
the b/s and top were all sealed with shellac, then finished in tru-oil.

I went with a zero fret because my regular guitar, a BR Yairi has one. I've played it for 32 years and like it.
I was scared to death stringing it up yesterday and bringing it up to pitch, afraid something would fly off , but it didn't. It plays so clean. Not a sign of buzz all the way up the neck. After it settles for a couple of weeks, I'll check my relief again and action.

It had 1/32" relief without any adjustment, and apparently my frets are right on level. I really can't believe how good it sounds and plays.

I'm cleaning the shop now and will, hopefully start nos. 2 and 3 (cherry twins for my sons) this weekend. Got some beautiful curly cherry from Steve at Colonial and two more sitka tops. They will also be pretty plain except gold MOP and gold Schallers.

Ron
Author:  old man [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:41 am ]
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Philip, my biggest problems were caused by stress. Wanting it to be really nice and afraid to do something wrong. I was super slow (6 months, after spending 7 or 8 months building tools and jigs). But, all that attention to detail on the jigs really paid off.
The thing that caused the scariest moment was cutting my fretboard too short and having to splice on an additional 1/2" or so.
Everything actually went well, just go slowly and pay attention to every move you make. I was afraid of all of it because I've never done it before, but that kept me from making too many mistakes.

And, man, have I developed a great respect for the fine craftsmen on this forum.

Ronold man38729.6974768518
Author:  KiwiCraig [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:46 am ]
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   Great work Ron ! You have every right to be proud.

Regards KiwiCraig
Author:  Mattia Valente [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:52 am ]
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I'm not a fan of dreds, as a rule, but I really, really like this guitar. Great job on your first! Now go build more!
Author:  Bobc [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:54 am ]
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Ron that is a beauty. First one? Awesome! Especially for an old man.
Author:  Don Williams [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:58 am ]
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Not bad at all for an "Old Man". !

Actually, I really like it! It's a fantastic first effort, very nicely done. I really like that cherry...
I almost used the identical letter W on my guitars, but I switched to the lower case w in that font.
Nice job all-around.
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