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Well I am about finished with this build. Posted some pics of progress some time ago and thought I would post a few of the finished pictures



Nice redwood top. When I first got her all assembled and played (prior to finish) I thought "Man, what a dog this thing is" - the sound to me was horrible, no volume, no treble - it was just plain bad - or so I thought.

Anyway, I went ahead and finished. Have roughly 8 coats of lacquer - 4 in one shooting, set for a couple weeks, sanded with 600, applied another 4 coats, let sit for a few days and then sanded and polished.

The redwood is stunning - although my patience level still has a ways to go. I should have drop filled some of the divits and areas where the binding meets but so anxious to finish that I went right to sand and polish - so I do have a few minor finish flaws. Maybe someday I will play with them some more.



Really pleased with the Spalted Maple Rosette



Pau Ferro back/sides with Maple bindings.





Not sure if you can see it, but still have some trouble with inlay showing edges where routing is a little off. I mix eblny dust with Titebond and then for the smallest divits, filled with a little CA. I dont know what I am doing wrong because I have done this in the past and the outline of the inlay was really invisible. Now I can see where I filled.

Oh, almost forgot - the sound. Not sure what the heck I did, but once it was all assembled and polished, the action was dean on perfect and the sound has gone from being a dog to being actually quite nice. I often hear stories about how the sound will develop and I have to tell you the change on this one was quite drastic.

I had the same experience with that Maple build I showed at the BobC get together. I wasn't pleased with the sound on that one either and was complaining about it to the guys. Low and behold, it sounded better and better every time I heard someone play it.

Maybe it's the player (me) cause when Tony Karol played it, it had a whole different sound to it.

Or maybe Serge just talked me into believing it sounded good - or was that Anthony??

In any case I bought it !!!!!!

BTW, I used Adirondack for the bracing on soundboard and back. Ebony fingerboard and bridge. Martin Marquis lights for strings and some kind of fosil something for saddle and nut (was a gift so not sure what the heck it is).

Think I took the soundboard to around .105 and same with the back. Sides are around .08

Not perfect but I love her just the same. My wife and kids probably say that same thing about me!!!

I now know 1,000 ways of building that do not work but I am getting closer to the answer with each build. My next will be the Strad - I am inspired by Tony Karol, Hesh, Lance and others who showed their work in Ft Erie.

I am going to be more patient and pay close attention to details

I am going to be more patient and pay close attention to details

I am going to be more patient and pay close attention to details

I am going to be more patient and pay close attention to details

Rich, beautiful guitar, the top is stunning, and the color of the nut blends well with the entire scheem. One thing though,, we need more pics, especially a full shot of the top/neck/head.. stop teasing us
Mike

Rich -- whoa it looks great! Nice combo of sides/binding/top and killer rosette!

About the ebony filling I am wondering if it was the combo of dust and titebond that is causing less than desired results. I fill all of mine with dust/CA now and am not particularly careful about which part of the board the dust came from and pretty happy with the results.

Nice job sir -- if its anything like the maple dread I played at Bob's I'll bet its a winner.

Hi Rich,
What a beautiful guitar!!!!
When you get tired of it you can send it to me anytime!!!

It's a beauty. I know what you mean about being in a rush. It's been the ruin of me!!

Take care,

walter

Fantastic guitar, Rich! That's some killer redwood. Terrific looking rosette as well. Can't wait to play that one at the next gathering.

Your modest, self depricating attitude has just been shattered!!!JJ Donohue38937.9133912037

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Rich, i'm in love with that one too!

I'm sure the sound will get better and better by the hour my friend! Way to go!

Love that laminated neck, rosette and your headstock design! More pics Pleeeeeeaaaaaaase!!!!!!!

From what i see here bud, you really did wait and finished it well, remember those 25 other guitars that need being finished, i'm watching you!

Great looking top!

Rich that's a real beauty my friend. The maple guitar sounded great too. Try using fine ebony dust and fill the cavities high then flood with ca.

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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

Hey, nice work Rich. Never point out your flaws to others. If somone says something, just say you designed it that way. Great looking guitar.

Jeff

Super nice guitar Rich. I like all of it,everything looks great!Man,I love that redwood top along with the rosette. Great job!

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Great looking guitar Rich. Leave out the titebond and just fill with ebony dust and CA. It'll be much better. Just fill with dust and then flood CA. But don't use any excellerator.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Really pretty, Rich.
Glad the tone fairy visited you. It's a blessing when that happens. I am indebted to that little guy (girl?).

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Beautiful guitar, Rich.

   I've tried CA and dust, PVA and dust and epoxy and dust. To me the epoxy gives the most invisible fill.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Looks very nice from where I'm sittin'!

Wow Rich, stunning guitar. Very impressive. Thank you for the pics...

Ron, I've found epoxy leaves a visible shiny line that can be a slightly different shade.

Looks fantastic Rich!!!

Stunning top and wood combo all around... I really like that rosette!!!

I hope I'll get to try it out someday!!! Keep 'em coming my friend...

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

That is looking pretty sweet Rich ... Love the top, its absolutely killer, and the rosette sets it off nicely. The action didnt just happen, you planned it that way !!!!

Keep on keepin on bro ....

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Rich, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!

The finish is glass-like which really pulls the grain tones front and forward in the redwood.

Like others have mentioned, I am glad the tone-fairy visited

Wow!!! Thanks guys and gals for the words of encouragement and all the feedback on the inlay approach. Really appreciate it.

I will be practicing with some ebony and different methods to see how they work out. I did try dust and CA in the past but my AAA personality applied activator because I didnt want to wait for cure. It left white spots and I know why!!!!   

In any case, I will be playing with this a little and will report back based on all your feedback.

I have built a number of 000 and dread models to date. Think my next will be a cutaway and also thinking of doing a UKE. Need to go on line and find some direction for Ukes. Dont know how to play one but they are cute!!!

Thinking of a mando also but not sure I have the patience yet to deal with those little necks and strings

Anthony has me thinking about that archtop he showed us in Ft Erie. Awesome - think I am hooked. Too many ideas and not enough hours in the day.

Rich, Super nice looking guitar!
The top! WOW!

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Oh that's nice. Lovely rosette.

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

What a beautiful guitar...I love the matching neck stripe with the guitar's back wood...really classy.

The STUNNING wavy shimmer in that top wood grain almost denotes the type of tone the guitar would have...


[QUOTE=rich altieri]

I am going to be more patient and pay close attention to details[/QUOTE]

That is EXACTLY my motto!!!! Sam Price38938.7147453704

Rich,

If you would like to try a ukulele I would recommend checking out the Hana Lima ‘Ia site (Hawaiian for “made by hand”). The owner is Mike Chock who has studied with Richard Schneider and Sergei de Jonge. Mike took what he learned from Schneider and has produced plans for a modified Kasha braced ukulele. I have seen a number of these and must say they look and sound very nice. The plans do use a Spanish heel and I must admit I was not familiar with that style. When Mike explains its use and function it makes a lot of sense. Anyway, Hana Lima ‘Ia is also a reasonably priced supplier of ukulele sized parts. By the way if you call they can provide you with a $125.00 tenor sized kit including geared tuners and some really great quilted mahogany. If that is interesting call Asa Chock at Hana Lima ‘Ia. I will post a photo tonight of what the mahogany looks like. No matter what you have a great looking guitar and I hope my current one (first) will look even remotely similar.

Hana Lima 'Ia

I would also highly recommend checking David Hurd's site. There is quite a bit of information if you just look around a bit.
David Hurd Site

Philip

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aka konacat

If you think my playing is bad you should hear me sing!
Practice breeds confidence and confidence breeds competence. Unfortunately, I'm stuck in practice.

Beautiful!

Mike
White Oak, Texas