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10 years ago I built my first nylon string guitar. Even though this was my first serious build(I had done one, sort of trial build - a solid body electric) I wanted some unusual features:
Local and scavenged wood. The top is from a piece of bevel siding removed during some remodeling work. It's actually a beautiful piece of perfectly quarter sawn WRC. There was a nail hole where the sound hole is and it had many coats of house paint. The dark stripe is due to the part of siding not exposed to the weather retaining some of its original color.
The neck and finger board one piece, i.e.; no separate finger board, also black locust quarter sawn.
The back and side are also black locust.
I say side because it is one piece. It was bent outside using charcoal briquets in a 4" diameter piece of well casing for a hot pipe.
There is no binding, purfling or rosette.
The bridge is a piece of pallet lumber, maybe padauk, not sure.
The nut and saddle are from a deer antler found on the road.
The fret board part of the neck is not glued to the top but cantilevers over it a in a cello.
The finish is a lack-luster varnish, Minwax I think, applied with a brush.
The back was four pieces and split along the seams during the fiest heating season after the build. It does not affect the sound, to my ears anyway.
I have enjoyed playing this guitar for ten years, the action is as good as the day it was finished.
As far as the sound I think quite good.
I now have a second build done based on the Torres SE114 guitar with which to compare the sound.
Still not sure how to compare them, but like both. The Torres is much lighter.
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Ten years later: Build numero dos, "La Guitarra Libertad"
Design: Antonio Torres 1888 SE114 guitar Top: Adirondack Spruce Sides: Soft Maple Back: Curly Maple Neck: Black Cherry Finger Board: Black Walnut Bridge: Sapele
So, went a bit more traditional on this build. Except for the rosy.
The nut and bridge are from an old soup bone that lived in my compost heap for a few years.
About the name; Somehow I managed to put a nice crack in the back. La Guitarra - in homage to Torres. Libertad, well the Liberty Bell also has a nice crack in its side.
Next build a Barbero flamenco.
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Hi Pete, welcome to the Foro and thanks for posting the pictorials of your guitars.
I’m surprised HR (ernandez R) hasn’t chimed in yet as I sense a certain artistic kinship in your work, perhaps because you both have elements of what I can only describe as ‘folksiness’ in your styles.
One of the things I find enjoyable about HR’s work is he has drawn upon his Mexican ancestry, his upbringing in California, his professional background in aeronautics, and influences from his current locale in Alaska, to establish a very unique, provocative, and yet compelling style. In your case, and this might be a huge long shot, I sense Nordic influences (I don’t know why I’m reminded of the Hardanger fiddles and embroideries, but that’s part of where I’m getting this from).
Which leads me to the questions, are there Baltic/Norwegian influences in your background? What inspires you?
At any rate, this is the Lutherie section and a lot of us appreciate it when people share their creations. It may not be evident to non-makers, but it takes guts to post one’s work, just as it does to post one’s playing. And considering most postings can be managed with one hand, I think some care should be taken when tossing words like onanism about…
Oh my, I have a fairly extensive vocabulary but I had to look up onanism...
Welcome to the Foro Pstan. I just started building a few years ago myself but wish I had started 30 years ago.
HR
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I prefer my flamenco guitar spicy, doesn't have to be fast, should have some meat on the bones, can be raw or well done, as long as it doesn't sound like it's turning green on an elevator floor.
Hi Joan. About the head; I think I didn't like the long slot for for typical classical tuner back in 2013. Seemed weak to me at the time. But used the Rubner standard style tuners on the Torres. I'm planning a lute style pegbox and pegs on the Barbero build.
Hi RobF Short answer is not aware of conscious Baltic/Norwegian influences in my work. I am strongly influenced by Japanese esthetic, design, workmanship and craft, and use many Japanese tools. But there are obvious similarities between the economy of Japanese design and modern Scandinavian. The sound-hole on the 2013 is based on Japanese cloud motifs. The sound-hole decoration on the Torres is basically the border of a typical lute rosette.
What inspires you? Ahh... so many things! As far as guitars go, a beautiful sound. The visual is a distant second.
Sometimes just letting everything go and enjoying playing the guitar. Emphasis on enjoying!
Hi silddx, thanks so much!
Hi mrstwinkle, not sure what you mean by "this", but I looked at the Andalusians and don't hate them. Have to go back for a deeper dive. Would like to have a listen.
For me, it's all about the sound. Images, even recorded audio can't tell me much. I have to have the guitar in my hands.
Hi HR, Yeah I looked it up too. I also have regrets of wasted time, years really. Ten years since the first build. All we can do is stand up straight and walk on.
Wow, love what I am seeing on threerivers!
Hi chester, Thank you so much!
Yeah I've been working wood my whole life, I am 74.
If you can find some old weathered giraffe bones, send them up to NY and we'll see what can be done.
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