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Steve,

I just looked and there doesn't seem to be much for pictures of FE08 on the web! There are photos in the Romanillos biography of Torres, and there are nicely detailed photographs in the Grondona/Waldner book called "Masterpieces of Guitar Making" (which there is apparently not going to be a second printing of - great book though).

But I was in Spain in 2001 and I met Jun Nakano at the Romanillos guitar making course. The next year during the exhibition for Jose's 70th birthday everyone was awed by Jun's copy of FE08.

Jose said it was better than the copy he had made, and possibly better executed than the original!

You can view Jun Nakano's copy here

The only differences between Jun's and the original are the heel, the border around the MOP on the bridge, and the use of flame maple instead of birdseye.

So how's that for some eye candy...? When I finally do a copy its going to be a disaster compared to Jun's.

And if I recall correctly, he had it in a gig bag!

I have some closeups I took on my other computer which I'll upload later. jfrench39043.7056944444

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Instagram: @jfrenchluthier
Web: https://www.jfrenchguitars.com/

That's the one!

OK, well that's the copy, but what a guitar! I'm usually a fan of the understated type of guitar as you know, but if I could build something like that I'd never touch a chisel again. How do you top that?

I guess the original, still in original condition and in it's fitted case, is probably the most valuable guitar in the world, how could you put a price on it?

That is going to be my project for the year after I retire. Even at my skill level, all builds, no matter how complex, can be broken down into lots of separate small steps each of which is not too complex. Practice each step until confidant, execute it on the instrument, then move on to the next step. Silver machine heads, I guess Rodgers would make some?

So, Joshua, you know you can do it, and do it justice, so stop prevaricating and get on with it!

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Hi Joshua,

Many thanks for that link! You are right, that almost makes the eyes hurt. In a good way. So, as I studied the back/sides, it looks like the marquetry was inlaid into grooves. Is that correct? I mean, that's not a 4 piece back separated by elaborate inlays, is it? And those sides...same thing?
Another question--what is the significance of the "FE08" nomenclature? Some way to classify his work?

I agree with Colin--you're just the guy to pull off such a guitar.

Thanks again,
Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Steve I'll let Joshua go into more detail of the way it is built and the numbering system, but yes it is a four piece back, Torres often use 3, 4 or even 5 pieces in the back. He couldn't just go to Bob and pick wood off his website, but had to use whatever wood was locally available. Most of his tops are not book matched, and many are not even joined in the centre.

Some time ago Joshua made me go out and buy the Romanillos book on Torres, even though I had never built a classical guitar. I have posted a thread here before about it, but to me it was a damascene moment. The book won't show you how to build a guitar, but when you've read it you surely will want to go out and built a classical. Between Joshua and Romanillos my whole direction in building is at a crossroads. Yes, I'll still be making Lutes and Steel strings but also classicals. I've even borrowed a Kevin Aram guitar and am taking lessons from the guys at the RCM. Surprisingly, classical playing seems to come quite naturally if you have played modern fingerstyle and especially lute as well, kind of a combination of both!

I probably still sound like a steel string player, but it is great fun.

Oh well, I'm rambling now.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Thanks, Colin.
We certainly are spoiled when it comes to procuring our wood, aren't we?
SO--that interesting side on the FE08--two, er, 3 pieces? (Wondering--if so--how one would bend that successfully.) This reminds me of some of Howard Klepper's work. Which I also wonder about.... I see his guitars, and ask myself how he did that? Perhaps we should just ask Howard. (Too late to ask Antonio. )

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com