RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style flamenco

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Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Here is the top with a temporary tap plate to show the difference.

I tried to fine tune some of the over and under flow of its tonal sound a little before I placed the tap plate on, and then tuned it with the plate.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 27 2019 22:57:32

JasonM

Posts: 2051
Joined: Dec. 8 2005
From: Baltimore

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Sounds like a Blackshear. Condrats on getting her under control! I know what you mean about the Tap plate, it completes the sound of a flamenco guitar imo, rather than a handicap accessory.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 27 2019 23:12:46

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to JasonM)

The interesting part is that it had a first string that was a little strident, so my wife suggested that I let it rest over night, and the top adjusted itself.

Just goes to show what a little age can do.

I think I'll install the tap plate. It sounds like it would be a nice classical as well.

It has a nice open chord structure, yet can stand heavy playing.

Delusions of grandeur: Wonder what Antonio Rey would sound like playing this one

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 28 2019 14:47:22

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Just a quick up-date to say the guitar is aging nicely and getting better by the day. It definitely is a professional instrument that plays well and has a nice inter-dimensional quality in its tone.

I have to admit that the voice just happened, not that it was a very controlled technique this time. More like a miracle:-)

And in retrospect, this goes to show that this avenue of expression is not all that easy to create.

I can remember back with the Manuel Velasquez classical guitars, that later in his building practice, there was a certain character in the voice that always seemed to be present in its tonal quality, not just designed by its bracing pattern.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 4 2019 15:16:15

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

This is the final tonal adjustment before I glue the tap plate on.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 9 2019 14:24:13

Armando

Posts: 302
Joined: May 27 2005
From: Zürich, Switzerland

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

All nice and good except for the D String that always sounds on my guitars this way and i don't like it. Only i don't know yet how to soften that sharp tone of the D Sring. On your latest recording the guitar changed quite a bit to the better. It sounds much nicer there with the golpeador attached. Don't know what you have changed other than that on the guitar, but it really makes quite a difference. One thing that raises my attention are the basses. They are sharper on a Reyes. The other thing is the trebles, they are more what i would call lyrical on a Reyes. And for the the midrange. This guitar has kind of a box tone that Reyes never have. This is just my perception of the tone and sorry for being honest here. I don't wish to judge the guitar for good or bad. I'm just comparing and it's just my opinion. Others might have different opinions. The recording and the playing style also makes a difference for sure.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 9 2019 14:40:16

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to Armando)

I have to agree with your opinion about the bass's and my trebles are actually more lyrical than most Reyes guitars.

One thing about the bass is you cannot over play them, as a sharper edge to the strings would be too fragile under heavy playing. I've noticed this with Antonio Rey's guitar with some of his concert playing, that his tone breaks down under heavy pressure.

I'm looking for more of an immediate edge to tone rather than string noise and this is hard to get with a low action.

But I will admit that this guitar is not my average guitar build, it just happened this way after a long search with different building techniques that I don't want to repeat.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 9 2019 17:13:45

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to Armando)

quote:

All nice and good except for the D String that always sounds on my guitars this way and i don't like it. Only i don't know yet how to soften that sharp tone of the D String.

I've had some time to think about the D string you mentioned and I think that what you heard is my index finger plucking the 1st string as my thumb hit the 4th.

My 4th string is fine tonally. If anything, the tone is a little full for a flamenco, but the possibility of the tap plate being glued on might balance the fullness to a more even flamenco sound.

I'll have to see how it turns out when the glue dries.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 11 2019 15:42:37

Armando

Posts: 302
Joined: May 27 2005
From: Zürich, Switzerland

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Hi Tom

I've listened to your recordings again and couldn't spot where it was that i heard a too sharp tone on the D string. I assume it's because i listened to your first and latest recording just in a row and i've noticed a mellower tone in the latest video and it was more pleasing to my ears. At the moment i think your guitar sounds really very nice. Still i would say that this guitar has not all that much in common with what i know from Reyes but still, the guitar sounds very nice and flamenco and i've heard many guitars built by spanish luthiers sounding similar. Nice job for sure. Congrats!

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 11 2019 17:37:04

Armando

Posts: 302
Joined: May 27 2005
From: Zürich, Switzerland

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Oh yes and by the way. As i understood you have somewhat changed your design on this guitar going with a thicker top. I know that very well too. I've checked out a number of different designs and none of my nine guitars made so far is built the same way as the other ones. Sometimes i discovered things that enhanced the tone and sometimes it was a total and utter disappointment, but still i think that the only and best way to learn, although it costs money and time. You are a bit older than me and have built much more guitars than i did and you also got some fame. The thing is to be consistent and keep trying and trying until you get the result you like.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 11 2019 17:53:01

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to Armando)

quote:

The thing is to be consistent and keep trying and trying until you get the result you like.

Absolutely true. And a mention to all beginners in this art is to try and build the same pattern until you get it right. All the years I've built guitars is that I try and build at least 5 copies of a master builder before going to another pattern.

Usually after building a few guitars of one pattern I understand what makes it work.

And it's always good to have a master's guitar handy, so that you can see first hand where everything is.

Note: I drifted too off course with this last 1987 Reyes model, and it is a miracle it turned out well. Usually I follow a plan to its exact measurements and fine tune it.

When will I ever learn

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 13 2019 15:47:43

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

My son's puppy waiting for him to come home after work; like what are we doing here, why don't you play with me

https://youtu.be/M_Q2Qtx-6us

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 15 2019 13:49:10

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

OK..........Here is the finished product.

It has a tap plate or what I call a tone plate.

It will be for sale but I want Carlos to check it out before I sell it.

He should be in my shop the first week in December to play it.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 21 2019 0:56:49

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

OK, the last fine tuning by loosening the 2nd strut a little to produce a little more synergy with tonal balance.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 23 2019 1:51:50

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

You know what it feels like when you think you've finished with a project, and it compels you to try again to make it better.

Well, this happened the other day with me.

The sound was not necessarily the issue so much as the articulation for right and left hand feel. I worked a little toward the middle 4th strut and got it more balanced for this sensation, especially for the left hand ligado, and rasgeado.

The feel now, reminds me more of a Pedro de Miguel guitar but with a more sensitive sound and character.

So, I've got to stop now, otherwise, if I lose this new articulation, it's possible that I could fail to get it back.

I could post another sound test but it might not actually change the tonal value so much as the feel I get from this new adjustment.

Let me know what you think.

In any case , Carlos Rodriguez Quiros will be here in a couple of weeks and he will give his impression of the Guitar.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2019 16:18:43

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

OK, I've just lowered the action a little to 2.8 on the 6th string, and about 2.3 on the 1st string at the 12th fret.

I'm getting a little string pop on the frets when played hard.

I'll try and record the guitar sound, after breakfast, this morning.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 1 2019 15:12:08

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

OK, Here is the lowered action for flamenco.

It works good for me.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 1 2019 16:52:02

JasonM

Posts: 2051
Joined: Dec. 8 2005
From: Baltimore

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Wow. Sounds very powerful. What is the height of the strings at the saddle?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 2 2019 1:33:47

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to JasonM)

quote:

What is the height of the strings at the saddle?

It's about 9 MM on the 6th string and 8MM on the 1st string at the saddle.

I've messed with this so much that the only way to gauge the power is to compare it with a good Spanish guitar, which I don't have privy too at the moment.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 2 2019 4:26:43

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

I helped a fellow change out his tuning machines yesterday on his Lucio Nunez classical guitar. I haven't seen any of Lucio's work for quite some time.

This was a 2001 guitar, very nice and done with very clean lines. I didn't get a chance to hear the voice since the guitar was not strung up but the cosmetics were impeccable.

I think Lucio's prices are well with-in the market medium and there is always a possibility that I could work with him, if necessary.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 10 2019 12:50:18

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Well Folks,

The guitar sold yesterday to Richard Jernigan. I had a chance to compare Richard's two flamenco guitars, his Arcangel Fernandez and the 1967 Ramirez, both very good guitars.

And this proved to me that he bought something that is different but holds its own with the master builders.........I'll let him give his own impressions.

I'll try and build another guitar but I'll seriously consider whether to build a classical or flamenco next time. The market for high priced flamencos is dwindling fast and it makes sense to build what the market bears.

Anyway, thanks for putting up with my frustrations over this project in 2019.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 11 2019 17:15:57

Richard Jernigan

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

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

After I´ve had a chance to get familiar with Tom's guitar for a while I will post my impressions. I bought it for the same reason I have bought a few others. I heard and felt something in it that I had not experienced before.

We compared Tom's #329, a spruce/Indian '87 Reyes model, to the '82 Arcangel Fernandez blanca, and the '67 Ramirez 1a blanca. I like these two better than any flamencas I have gotten acquainted with over the years, with the possible exception of a couple in Richard Brune's collection (not for sale--if they were I probably couldn't afford either of them). Tom's guitar is certainly in the same class as the two blancas, but it has its own unique personality.

Tom's guitar is very different from the only Reyes I have had the chance to get to know pretty well, a '75 blanca that belonged to a good friend. I liked my Ramirez better than that guitar. My impression so far is that I certainly wouldn't say the Ramirez is better (for me) than Tom's guitar.

Tom and I agree that once a guitar achieves a certain level of quality, it doesn't make much sense to say one is "better" than the other. They are just different, like two different vintages of a great wine. One player may like "A" better than "B", but another player might like "B" better than "A," depending on his technique and whatever that ideal guitar sound may be that he has in his head.

I got back from San Antonio to Austin at 7:30 last night, had a bowl of clam chowder and some crackers. The guitar was interesting enough to stay up until 2 AM playing it and the two blancas.

More in a week or two.

RNJ

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 11 2019 21:56:03

BarkellWH

Posts: 3458
Joined: Jul. 12 2009
From: Washington, DC

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to Richard Jernigan)

Richard, I may be mistaken, but isn't this the second guitar you have bought from Tom? I seem to recall about two or three years ago you went to San Antonio and bought another guitar from Tom. If this is the second, it really speaks well for Tom's creations. On the other hand, I may be getting dotty in my old age.

Bill

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With the name of the late deceased,
And the epitaph drear, "A fool lies here,
Who tried to hustle the East."

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 11 2019 23:17:54

tri7/5

Posts: 570
Joined: May 5 2012

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to BarkellWH)

quote:

ORIGINAL: BarkellWH

Richard, I may be mistaken, but isn't this the second guitar you have bought from Tom? I seem to recall about two or three years ago you went to San Antonio and bought another guitar from Tom. If this is the second, it really speaks well for Tom's creations. On the other hand, I may be getting dotty in my old age.

Bill

I also thought so too... believe it was the Miguel Rodriguez flamenco style? I am sure Richard will confirm. Curious how they compare.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 11 2019 23:39:41

Richard Jernigan

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

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to tri7/5)

quote:

ORIGINAL: tri7/5

quote:

ORIGINAL: BarkellWH

Richard, I may be mistaken, but isn't this the second guitar you have bought from Tom? I seem to recall about two or three years ago you went to San Antonio and bought another guitar from Tom. If this is the second, it really speaks well for Tom's creations. On the other hand, I may be getting dotty in my old age.

Bill

I also thought so too... believe it was the Miguel Rodriguez flamenco style? I am sure Richard will confirm. Curious how they compare.

Yes, I bought a cedar/Indian "Miguel Rodriguez" model classical from Tom a couple of years ago. It's definitely not a flamenca. Having heard it on the Foro, I drove down to San Antonio with the money in my pocket. I took my Abel Garcia spruce/Brazilian classical to compare. In person the "Rodriguez" model sounded even better than on the Foro, and I liked the feel of it, so I bought it.

Tom asked to compare #329, a "1987 Reyes" model negra, to my Arcangel Fernandez. I took the cedar/cypress Ramirez along as well, since I think it's a great guitar. (I wouldn't say that about all the 1960s Ramirez blancas I have played, but I really like mine.) I was not at all thinking of buying an instrument, and told Tom so before I drove to San Antonio, but #329 certainly measured up to the two blancas, and has a sound and feel unlike any other guitar I have gotten to know.

I repeated what I had told Tom before: The last time I went to Paracho I told myself it was just for old time's sake--I wasn't going to buy any guitars. In the event, I only bought two.

I have since given one of the Paracho guitars away to the Austin Classical Guitar Society. It is an Arturo Huipe cedar/cocobolo "Fleta" model. I would say it is on the borderline between a very good conservatory guitar and a lesser concert instrument. I liked Huipe, and I thought it was a good guitar for the money. The Guitar Society in turn gave it to a student after she borrowed it to audition successfully for Adam Holzman's guitar program here at the University.

I am not inclined to sell or otherwise dispose of any of the guitars I now own, except for a 1991 Manuel Contreras Sr. spruce/Brazilian. It's a very good guitar, maybe even a great one, but I don't play it much. Its default tone quality may be excellent for a concert hall (the Romeros played Contreras for a while before they switched to Miguel Rodriguez), but in my medium sized practice room it doesn't appeal to me as much as my other classicals do.

As I told Tom, and said above, I will have more to say about #329 in a week or two, after I have made its acquaintance.

RNJ

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 12 2019 0:33:15

JasonM

Posts: 2051
Joined: Dec. 8 2005
From: Baltimore

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to Richard Jernigan)

Congratulations Richard. Hey we all understand guitar acquisition syndrome here. And besides, potentially having the last Blackshear flamenco is a good investment

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 13 2019 15:43:16

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to JasonM)

FYI, the Arcangel Fernandez flamenco guitar plan I drew for the Guild of American Luthiers will probably be published this coming January, 2020.

And if there is any stamina left in me, I might try to draw a Conde style plan later on in the year, 2020.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 14 2019 12:33:08

Ricardo

Posts: 14797
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to Richard Jernigan)

quote:

I have since given one of the Paracho guitars away to the Austin Classical Guitar Society. It is an Arturo Huipe cedar/cocobolo "Fleta" model.

Oh man let me know next time you feel like giving a guitar away!!!

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 14 2019 17:23:03

Richard Jernigan

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

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to Ricardo)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricardo

quote:

I have since given one of the Paracho guitars away to the Austin Classical Guitar Society. It is an Arturo Huipe cedar/cocobolo "Fleta" model.

Oh man let me know next time you feel like giving a guitar away!!!

Are you an IRS certified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so I can get a deduction on my income tax?

For some nominal fee I got an appraisal on the guitar I gave away. Deducting the full retail value from my income on my tax return didn't net me quite as much as selling it through a dealer would have, but being told what a great guy I was by the guitar society people made up for it.

RNJ

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 14 2019 18:57:51

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: new build for a 1987 Reyes style... (in reply to JasonM)

Jason,

I'm hoping that some age will bring the tone to its synergistic level of competence after awhile. When it left the shop it was a bit wild in its tonal delivery and volume.

Age normally levels out the sound, as it did with the Rodriguez classical style that Richard bought.

One thing about this build is that it already has tonal evenness so I'm curious about what age will do to it.

I did some things to this build that were characteristic of a Conde, to see if it proved itself toward me trying another Conde build for the 1968 Sobrinos de Esteso plan I have.

Only time will tell.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 16 2019 16:00:15