RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flamenco negra

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Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to Jeff H)

quote:

For your current build, are you going to use a Brazilian rosewood bridge?

No, I'll stay with EIRW, as it is a little more homogeneous than Brazilian and it matches the guitar's sides and back. I like the way the guitar's voice comes out, with a little more earthy quality.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 4 2017 8:58:26

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

I have a question for the list:

I'm installing the fingerboard this week, would you prefer 19 frets or a twentieth fret for the treble side?

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 13 2017 18:08:29

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

The fingerboard is sized and ready to install, so unless there is any preference about the 20th fret, this will be the final install with it.

http://tomblackshearguitarbuilder.weebly.com/current-construction.html

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 15 2017 12:23:32

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

I went ahead and installed the fingerboard with a 20th fret on the treble side; strung up the guitar without frets and tuned it a little to balance the bass and treble together.

It has good balance but the volume is a little lower than the 2003 model, which probably means I'm going to have to thin out the top some more.

However, if I thin the top then this puppy will definitely be more flamenco rather than an acceptable crossover. Perhaps I can get my wife to take a video later today.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 23 2017 15:44:19

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Here is a video on You Tube with the sound, but this is very early in the fine tuning for the sound.

https://youtu.be/WyNjHkM5YVI

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 24 2017 15:17:27

SephardRick

Posts: 358
Joined: Apr. 11 2014

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Tom,

After watching your latest video, did you say the bridge is temporary?

Care to elaborate?

To my ears this guitar is off to a good start. The high and low E sounds very robust.

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Rick

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 29 2017 13:24:09

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to SephardRick)

quote:

After watching your latest video, did you say the bridge is temporary?

Care to elaborate?

Due to the fact that this my first build with the 1987 Reyes style, I have found that it needs to be re-surfaced a bit to bring down the key, more toward G-F#. Also, I believe the articulation will be better helped by doing this.

I will remove the bridge with a focused heat device, keeping the heat away from the center seem and then re-surface the top to be more compliant with the timber and volume.

But first, I'll install the frets and play it for awhile before I attempt to change anything.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 29 2017 14:15:34

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Hello again.........

Here is the bridge removed and sanding the top a little thinner for better equilibrium.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 16 2017 7:17:49

SephardRick

Posts: 358
Joined: Apr. 11 2014

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Interesting how removing material on different surface areas can change both pitch and note balance.

Thanks for posting, Tom.

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Rick

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 16 2017 14:56:26

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to SephardRick)

The crazy thing here is that taking the surface down a bit to about 2 mm has not given much of a lower key, with the new bridge installed, just balancing the top toward F# from its normal G tuning.

So I'm going to have to go inside and do a little strut polishing to bring it down further. But I'll go ahead and install the frets first, before I do any polishing of the fan braces.

This further work will most likely cause a few things to happen; better articulation, tension, and inter-dimensional quality of the tone. It's a lot of work but I love it when a plan comes together :-)

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 16 2017 17:05:05

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Here is the video of fret installation, almost done:

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 18 2017 2:52:29

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

I have the guitar strung up and playing and it is definitely different from the 2003 model.

I don't think I like it as much but it has certain elements of sound that appeal although it has less ability to pump air. It's almost like playing on a stiff board.

This instrument reminds me a little of the Conde style that I build a few months ago. It has some melody but it's not open like the 2003 model. It's more like a player will have to pound the living daylights out of it so it will open up.

This is what happened to the Conde style, although I can't say this is what will happen to this guitar..........

........strangely enough, everything is even with good vibes but it doesn't have the sustain of the 2003 model. The top is about 2 MM so I don't want to go thinner; just wait to see if it opens up with age; if the volume improves.

If it does, then it will be a different kind of air pump because of the plans different pattern. This is definitely a stiffer top.

I'll try to get my wife to do a sound video this week end.

OK, I just went out to the shop and put a temporary tap plate on it and it did focus the sound to be more manageable, so this part is good, but I still think the guitar is too much for my weakened style of playing.

OK, a day later..... and I checked the guitar with the practice tap plate on, and it is turning out to be a good instrument with some slight adjustment to the top timber.

It's crazy how these things develop; even my wife likes the tone now, and says it has power to spare. Honestly, this craft keeps me guessing all the time. I think the addition of the tap plate helped it a lot.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 20 2017 16:28:33

JasonM

Posts: 2054
Joined: Dec. 8 2005
From: Baltimore

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Interesting. What are the biggest differences between the this guitar and the 2003 design? Are they very different bracing?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 21 2017 18:58:03

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to JasonM)

This guitar has been difficult for me to tune right but I have had some success with the tonal property to date.

I would not advise your first guitar to be this one, as the 2003 model is basically dummy proof, if you follow the plan.

I'll try to load a video this afternoon to show how the guitar is going.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 22 2017 14:38:32

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Here is the guitar nearly ready for french polish.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 23 2017 2:20:45

SephardRick

Posts: 358
Joined: Apr. 11 2014

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Tom,

It sounds really dynamic - Just "bustin' at the seams" to be played.

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Rick

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 23 2017 16:23:22

pundi64

Posts: 234
Joined: Jul. 29 2016
From: Thailand

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Sounds very crispy indeed, when finished, French polished, frets set, etc, please post the final sound tape.
Like I said sounds crispy and alive, ready to bust out at the seams, and be played. Thanks Tom.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 23 2017 20:49:42

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to pundi64)

Sorry to hear it and I hope the best for all involved.

My e-mail is still

tguitars@texas.net

and so far I'm still building classical and flamenco guitars after 55+years.

But I can tell you, I'm building slower every year.

My website is still:

http://tomblackshearguitarbuilder.weebly.com/

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 31 2017 20:06:27

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Things are going slow and I might not have the guitar totally finished before this forum shuts down. However, the sound is starting to come out nicely and more solid to its core.
I would like to investigate its quality compared with Richard's Arcangel Fernandez flamenco guitar, (which is very good), just to see what the differences are.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 6 2017 18:05:01

Richard Jernigan

Posts: 3430
Joined: Jan. 20 2004
From: Austin, Texas USA

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Blackshear

Things are going slow and I might not have the guitar totally finished before this forum shuts down. However, the sound is starting to come out nicely and more solid to its core.
I would like to investigate its quality compared with Richard's Arcangel Fernandez flamenco guitar, (which is very good), just to see what the differences are.

Sounds interesting Tom. At the moment we are in Mexico. I won't be back in Austin until November 18. There will probably be a get together of the extended family at Thanksgiving. Maybe we can get together beteween Thanksgiving and Christmas. I'm sure I would enjoy meeting your new guitar in person.

RNJ

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 6 2017 22:42:21

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to Richard Jernigan)

quote:

Sounds interesting Tom. At the moment we are in Mexico. I won't be back in Austin until November 18.

I'll try and finish it off but I can't promise that date yet. I still have the top and fingerboard to finish off. The back is fully filled and the sides are being filled as we speak, but the top and fingerboard will be time consuming, to say the least. The top finish and tap plate will determine the final tone.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 7 2017 0:36:46

Richard Jernigan

Posts: 3430
Joined: Jan. 20 2004
From: Austin, Texas USA

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

No hurry from my point of view, Tom.

RNJ

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 12 2017 2:07:24

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to Richard Jernigan)

Richard,

I continue to finish out the guitar. Some things are happening to slow the process a little but right on track with the finish. I'll try to get a picture for this coming week-end, to show the finish progression.

I have a guitar building class to teach after the first of the year so I hope to be finished with it before then.

Also, I have a guitar builder from Puerto Rico coming here December the 8th to see about relocating to San Antonio. My understanding from classical guitarist Carlos Rodriguez, in Puerto Rico, is that he is an accomplished builder.

So things are starting to look interesting for me to keep building for awhile. And I look forward to drawing a copy of your Arcangel Fernandez flamenco guitar, possibly for the Guild of American Luthiers showcase.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 30 2017 14:54:52

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Well, the latest news is that he will come for a fine-tuning class Dec the 8th for 4 days and then return home to build for awhile before making a decision to move to San Antonio; due to health issues with his mother.

I was looking forward to his move here but we'll wait for another day, as he now has electricity back on and sufficient shop space to work in.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 7 2017 19:05:59

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Here is the final stage of the French polish finish, with a little touch up necessary before the final rub out.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 10 2017 11:09:36

pundi64

Posts: 234
Joined: Jul. 29 2016
From: Thailand

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Beeeeeeeeeeeeutiful, great work Tom.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 11 2017 1:55:10

RobF

Posts: 1611
Joined: Aug. 24 2017

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Hi Tom. That’s a lovely finish on the top, I like the hue a lot. I think you’ve indicated in the past that you first spray a coat of tinted shellac followed by the padding work. Do you seal the top with clear shellac before applying the tint coat?

If you feel like doing a pictorial/tutorial on your tinting process, I sure you’d have a receptive audience. Very nice work.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 11 2017 3:12:48

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to RobF)

quote:

Do you seal the top with clear shellac before applying the tint coat?

Yes, but with very little wash coat, then spray a few coats of tint to color then let dry for a few days. Then spray a few light coats of clear to seal in the color, then French polish after the finish is very dry; about a week after spraying.

One thing about the dry spray is that you will have some very small dry bumps in the finish but once you start French polishing, the surface will build up thicker and you can sand the surface smooth after the first polish coats with 800 wet and dry paper; being careful not to sand through the color.

I try to dry spray as much as possible rather than put on real wet coats; using very thin shellac; just enough to hold the color together....same with the clear coats.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 11 2017 12:39:12

RobF

Posts: 1611
Joined: Aug. 24 2017

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Thanks Tom. I like the results you get.

I’m not set up to spray inside so I’ll give it a try in the spring when I can bring the work outside. I’ve successfully polished with dark shellac before and can get it on evenly by following a fairly strict application pattern but I suspect spraying a tint coat followed by padding with blonde might be an easier way to get consistent results. It sure works nicely for you!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 11 2017 13:44:40

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Tom's tutorial Manuel Reyes Flam... (in reply to RobF)

OK folks, this is the finished product and the tone is quite different from the 2003 model but definitely a strong performance.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 17 2017 21:52:45