RE: Questions about woods. (Full Version)

Foro Flamenco: http://www.foroflamenco.com/
- Discussions: http://www.foroflamenco.com/default.asp?catApp=0
- - Lutherie: http://www.foroflamenco.com/in_forum.asp?forumid=22
- - - RE: Questions about woods.: http://www.foroflamenco.com/fb.asp?m=201868



Message


Anders Eliasson -> RE: Questions about woods. (Jun. 16 2012 15:35:50)

I use the same body for 650, 655 and 660 scales. Thats what I was taught here in Andalucia by well known builders.

On this forum there´s an enourmous tendency to turn every little hair in the construction into an essential and eksistencialistic (spelling) problem that has to be discussed into the smallest detail in order to consider one self a "real" luthier. Its extremely brainy and has nothing to do with the way I work. To me, all these little tenth of milimeters that you guys discuss endlessly dont make a guitar better or worse. What matters is balance. That the darn thing vibrates freely the way you want it to do. Besides that the only other thing i find that is important is hard work and experience. That you are conscient (¿word?) about what you do and the effect that little things have in your work.

Maybe its all the same, I dont know. Maybe I work the same way as you word-brainers and maybe I just need my yearly long break from foroflamenco.[:D]




estebanana -> [Deleted] (Jun. 16 2012 18:19:24)

Post has been moved to the Recycle Bin at Jun. 19 2012 16:07:56




Shawn Brock -> RE: Questions about woods. (Jun. 17 2012 4:17:59)

Well, I never wanted to start a war or even a heated discussion with my questions. I sure never wanted it to lead to someone getting pissed off at the foro...

These were just a few things that I had been wondering about for a while and I thought I would ask... It also was never my intention to go to any luthier and demand 1 body size, style of bracing and so on. I pick a luthier based on how his/ her instruments sound, their prices and reputation and that's about it. I had always just wondered especially about different body sizes, because I do find it more comfortable to play on slightly larger body guitars. Smaller body guitars are like guitars with a 660 scale for me, they may not be the most comfortable, but I have no problems playing them.

I do want to thank Andy, Anders and Stephen for sharing their time and thoughts, along with everyone else. I have found the responses to be informative and appreciate everyone's time for the thoughts and opinions.

Looking back I kind of wished that I had just asked what the different body sizes were that most people are making. Maybe that would have been a better and less heated subject. LOL

Part of the reason for my question was that my 650 blanca has a more drastic slope from each bout, and my 660 negra is less drastic. Because both guitars were made by the same maker I didn't know if he had changed the body shape over the years, or if he built according to scale length. I know this would have been an easy question to ask him, but I wanted to get other peoples take on it all.

So before I fire up Google, can someone recommend a resource where I can learn about the different body sizes used by such makers as Reyes, Conde and so on? I don't just like to play the guitar, I like to be educated on how the instrument is built. That's why I hang here so much. To be honest the construction of instruments has always been more entreating to me than the performance, not that I don't love to perform...

To lots of players an instrument is kind of like a car. They have the attitude of they want this and they want that. Sort of like telling an artist exactly how they want him to paint. For me an instrument is a lot closer to my heart than a car. Of course I want to have some say on the scale length and nut width, but that's just about it for me. If I don't feel that some certain builder's sound is what I hear for myself, then I won't get a guitar from him. I will go with a builder who has the sound I like and lots of you guys are in that category for me.

Its just like some flamencos like a "lyrical" guitar. They will want a blanca with negra quality's. Not me... When I want a lyrical sound I pick up my negra, when I want dry, raspy and balls I pick up my blanca. And over all I'm a blanca man by at least 80 percent. That don't mean that I don't appreciate a lyrical blanca, it just means that I won't buy one...




estebanana -> [Deleted] (Jun. 17 2012 5:13:52)

Post has been moved to the Recycle Bin at Jun. 19 2012 16:08:07




Anders Eliasson -> RE: Questions about woods. (Jun. 17 2012 6:52:04)

quote:

Without being mean, I have to say I've become frustrated at times by those who begin making guitars and then come up with all these minor points in construction and use them as sales points.


oh - oh.... Are you sure this will be received well??[8D] (thanks for being honest)

I´ll continue my public suicide:
Well, to me, the more a luthier or salesmann needs to use minor points in order to sell guitars, the more they show that they dont know very much.
But at the same time they are the wise ones, because the clients and the beginning builders want to think that all these minor points are soooooo important. Just read through the last year or two on this luthier section and you´ll find tons of examples. I´ve read most of it and since it continues, every day I´m a little bit closer to leaving the foro for good (but I´ll start with my yearly break)

Another good example is myself as a builder and a salesman. Quite some years ago, I also focussed more on minor points in public and my sales were doing pretty well. (people like that sh*t)
Now, I´m not so much into that and I´m tired of reading luthier nonsense about 1/10 of milimeters etc. and my sales are doing a LOT worse.

But I try to keep my head cool. I have other more important things to do and I relax because I know that the guitars I´ve built the last 2 years are a lot better than those I made 5+ years ago. They should be so, because in the end what matters the most is learning from your own experience and not from someone elses experience. Thats what estebananas guitar mentor is trying to say. I remember the times I talked with the great Rolf Eichinger. He was the same way. One question of mine made him ask me 2.... They were always very simple questions from me (simple questions dont exist dork...) and his were always complicated ones leading to a simple answer... So what happened was that I found out that 1 question was more than enough for me to handle at a time and we ended up talking about other things whitch were more important. Like Earl Scrugs, living alone in small spanish villages etc. Very interesting. BTW, a petty that Rolf didnt make flamencos. He had an enourmous capacity to control every little detail and I´m sure he would have made some amazing flamenco guitars.




Andy Culpepper -> RE: Questions about woods. (Jun. 17 2012 16:44:15)

lol, you guys can talk all you want but at the end of the day we all just build what we want to build and how we like to build. I don't believe my way is superior to anyone else's here and I'm not trying to use "minor insignificant points" to sell my guitars.
My guitars sell themselves because they sound and play very well and they're well constructed and I know how to work with players. If I fail to do that in the future then I'm sure my sales will drop off but I'm not going to be the guy with ads all over the place or touting some kind of salt-sanding technique [:D]




Shawn Brock -> RE: Questions about woods. (Jun. 17 2012 22:12:23)

LOL, Andy, I was waiting for the salt-sanding to come into play... That has always been one of the most memorable topics for me. I hear that the salt-sanding works best when the 7th son of a 9 child family blows air through the sound hole... Something about the air from the 7th son forces the salt to just the right depth in the wood grain. This leads to a guitar which is quite explosive and magical. :)




Gimar -> RE: Questions about woods. (Jun. 17 2012 22:22:19)

no no no, before playing you need to shake the guitar for atleast 60 seconds, it wakes up the molecules in the wood, silly people...

Back in my teachers workshop, me and the other apprentice would make up amazing theories all the time. Sometimes I feel I should have used them on my website for sale purposes, I could have been a millionair by now... atleast I wouldn't on the edge of survival :D




Anders Eliasson -> RE: Questions about woods. (Jun. 18 2012 6:54:34)

quote:

I know how to work with players.


What does that mean and how do you do that and in which language?




Stephen Eden -> RE: Questions about woods. (Jun. 18 2012 8:05:42)

Gotta be more careful than that Andy if you don't want to insult all of the other guitar makers here! Your not saying your way is superior but your saying no one else knows how to work with the players give me a break.

Some people are more tech than others and others are more intuitive without having to talk about it. I'm on the intuitive side. So much so I don't think people here even know I'm a guitar maker.




Anders Eliasson -> RE: Questions about woods. (Jun. 18 2012 10:43:14)

SEden, when studying language and especially text analyzing, you learn that posts like Andy´s last one means that he felt insulted and then he counter attacked with a superior attitude and some little totally out of topic hints to other builders.
To those hints, my only comment is that the day Andy needs costumers, he will tell us. He (and many others) did that before and besides, he made a thread on the luthiers section with video uploads etc of every single guitar he made not so long ago. But maybe he forgot that.... And finally when you, Andy start accusing others of having adds all over the place, please tell me who those persons are and what is wrong with that? I personally have never had any adds on this forum... The "guitarrero" add is not mine, but Simon´s. Its his DVD... Not mine. And I´m pretty sure you know that, because its been discussed many times.
So please come out of the closet or the bush and tell us whom you are adressing.


quote:

My guitars sell themselves because they sound and play very well and they're well constructed and I know how to work with players. If I fail to do that in the future then I'm sure my sales will drop off but I'm not going to be the guy with ads all over the place or touting some kind of salt-sanding technique




Stephen Eden -> RE: Questions about woods. (Jun. 18 2012 11:07:46)

Well I think he has and also you have found that posting videos here of your guitars really work. I posted my first professional level Blanca here a few years ago and left it at that, I have never posted a video here and most probably as a consequence I've never sold a guitar to anyone on this forum. You guys call it show casing I call it advertising. No big deal

I don't think Andy was trying to insult anyone on purpose. Just didn't choose his words carfeully enough.

We all make guitars that work well and may or may not suit a certain player! Some players want the involvment in choosing this and that and some don't want anything to do with it. We as makers can decide where we want to be on that.

I thought this thread might get a little funky when Sean added the element of competition. Anders you can at least be glad he has probably short listed you Andy and Faulk. I like the fun of all this I will stay in here and maybe even play the devils advocate if I get time hahaha[:D]




Anders Eliasson -> RE: Questions about woods. (Jun. 18 2012 11:48:57)

quote:


Well I think he has and also you have found that posting videos here of your guitars really work


Sure and its a fair way of doing things.




TANúñez -> RE: Questions about woods. (Jun. 18 2012 12:19:34)

I personally feel that marketing is crucial to your success as a builder. I don't care if your the best builder in the world. If you don't market yourself, it will be hard to sell your work if no one knows who you are. Videos, websites, blogs, facebook, whatever. It helps. Especially when your in the beginning of your career and need some exposure. However, I also feel there is a point where you can over promote yourself and it gets old after a while. Once you've established your name as a builder, perhaps the promotion isn't as necessary at that point.




Andy Culpepper -> RE: Questions about woods. (Jun. 18 2012 12:29:49)

Anders, I was not referring to you when talking about ads and we already discussed that a while ago. I was talking about Castillo, etc. who's not even a contributing member here (but I guess the ads are gone anyways). And I'm not even faulting Simon for trying to bring in some money to support this amazing site, I'm just saying it's not MY style.
I didn't mean that other luthiers here don't know how to work with players, but in my opinion you have to be accomodating and patient even when players ask what appear to be uninformed questions.
Obviously the luthiers of this forum know how to make amazing guitars and work well with players.
What I was responding to was the thinly veiled insinuation that just because I gave an honest answer to Shawn about the way I do something, which was different than what other people said, that I was trying to hype that up in order to sell guitars. Laughable...




estebanana -> [Deleted] (Jun. 18 2012 18:12:13)

Post has been moved to the Recycle Bin at Jun. 19 2012 16:08:27




Ricardo -> RE: Questions about woods. (Jun. 18 2012 18:18:59)

guys guys guys calm down... just make sure your guitars have enough break angle and be done with it.[:D]




estebanana -> [Deleted] (Jun. 18 2012 18:23:34)

Post has been moved to the Recycle Bin at Jun. 19 2012 16:08:39




TANúñez -> RE: Questions about woods. (Jun. 18 2012 18:35:49)

Luthiers just like to see who's chisel is longer.




Shawn Brock -> RE: Questions about woods. (Jun. 18 2012 20:11:32)

Good God!

point 1:
I would be happier if each luthier on the foro would post a video of each guitar he built. For me there can't be enough of that.

point 2:
Andy, I get what your saying about Castillo, but I'm not sure that he's responsible for having an add on the foro. I could be wrong, but I thought his American importer did that.

point 3:
Andy or any other builder can charge what ever they want to for a guitar. You place a value on what your work and materials are worth and you sell guitars. In my book that's not "under cutting". Under cutting is when a luthier says something like, "I know your thinking of getting a guitar from so and so, but I can build you one cheaper and better than he can." As far as I know Andy has never done that. I'm sure Andy would be happy to get 100 times more money for each guitar, but he's smart enough to know that he can't price instruments at $5000 at this stage in his career.

There are quite a few good builders in business who are building guitars in the same price range as Andy. Some of these builders are here in the states and have built 100s of guitars. The fact is that there are still lots of builders building guitars which are great concert instruments for a low price. Andy is just one of them... We all know what a good experienced builder Anders is, and he's still offering guitars for under $4000 Yankee Dollars. Its hard for some Americans to compete with either price, because of the location which they live and work. Overhead is a lot lower for a luthier in a place like Ohio than it is for a luthier in NYC. So the fellow in NYC has to get more per instrument, or worry about homelessness...

@ Andy, I know you are building good instruments, I can hear that. Just keep doing what your doing Man. Not one builder ever has or ever will know it all. I can't speak for some of what was said here, because I must have missed those threads, but I have always appreciated your talent and input. For what ever that may be worth... I'm not a builder, so its not worth as much as great feedback from other luthiers, but I am a player, and that counts for something I guess...




Andy Culpepper -> RE: Questions about woods. (Jun. 18 2012 20:26:14)

quote:

A lot of the makers here have serious artistic lineages through who they studied with and for how long. Don't insult that.


Hmm show me one time that I have done that and I'll shut up. I haven't attacked anyone here. I always approach this forum and the other makers here with humility and respect. If you can't deal with me expressing my thoughts here then you need to go somewhere else. Just out of curiosity how many guitars have you made? As I've said several times I like your work but you have to realize that everything you said to me applies to you also...




Andy Culpepper -> RE: Questions about woods. (Jun. 18 2012 20:56:43)

Shawn,
You opinion counts for a lot in my book. We need players to chime in to keep us all honest and balanced. I do care what other luthiers think of my work but I work a lot harder to please myself and my customers.

There is always someone charging more and someone charging less. In Stephen's world I guess we are all simultaneously undercutting and being undercut by someone else [:D]




HeavyWood -> RE: Questions about woods. (Jun. 18 2012 22:28:23)

Mr. Eden,

By my comprehension of your post above, you inferred
that Andy was insulting other luthiers ability to interface
with potential customers. I think you owe him an apology
for voicing your misapprehension of his post.

With Anders, I think there is just a language and inflection difference,
and thus, you thought deteresa1 was acting superior.
As an English speaker, I never got that feeling from his post.

I saw deteresa1's response as just a quick, to the point comment of his
personal experience, and in no way demeaning of anyone else...

I have spoken to all of the luthiers on this foro by phone except for
SEden and Anders. I can say, Andy was very helpful and patient
with all of my questions.

As for estebanana's post, I detect jealously and maybe even some
contempt due to his bringing up prices and talk of 'undercutting'.
Come down off of your high horse about 'attitudes and ambition
in America'. Sorry your market share is down.

I had a good conversation with Stephen Faulk by phone also, and
wanted to commission one of his guitars... until reading one of his foro
posts a few days after our talk...

I am not about to go looking for his post now, but estebanana was
complaining about all of the cheap guitar players contacting him, and
how, from now on, he was just going to build what he wants, for the
price he wants. ($4600.00 since we are talking prices)...

His post soured me because when I spoke to him, he said he liked to work
with potential customers. Then, a few days later, I'm cheap and he is tired
of dealing with me? Granted, he never named me personally, but how
else am I supposed to feel?

Oh, all luthiers should post new guitar vids of their creations! The more the better for all of us.




estebanana -> [Deleted] (Jun. 18 2012 22:36:31)

Post has been moved to the Recycle Bin at Jun. 19 2012 16:09:02




estebanana -> [Deleted] (Jun. 18 2012 22:42:23)

Post has been moved to the Recycle Bin at Jun. 19 2012 16:09:12




estebanana -> [Deleted] (Jun. 18 2012 23:31:18)

Post has been moved to the Recycle Bin at Jun. 19 2012 16:09:21




Andy Culpepper -> RE: Questions about woods. (Jun. 18 2012 23:55:58)

quote:

Never mind that Andy did not stick his neck out until after the old heads had spoken when it was safe to express an opinion.


Yeah sorry I'm not logged in to this forum 24 hours a day, sometimes it takes me a while to get to a thread.

Honestly, for me this never had ANYTHING to do with trying to get Shawn to order a guitar from me, although I'd be more than happy to make him one. I raised my prices a little bit recently because I really only like having 4-5 guitars in the queue at a time, and honestly I would love to see Shawn order a guitar from Stephen to help with his new shop, or Anders because I believe he's a good human being doing exceptional and honest work.

With any builder, you get a certain type of guitar. We are all clearly different enough in our styles that we will attract different kinds of people and players.

Stephen seems to be hung up on the fact that I'm a young guy (I'm 25), but I've been dedicated to the guitar since I was 16 and I'm a quick learner when I really dig into something. I didn't just a pull a Reyes plan out of my ass and slap some guitars together with a glue gun. I had a really good teacher who I've been with for almost 3 years and I've had the opportunity to talk to a number of very good luthiers. You could say that these first 25 guitars have been something of a (not always well) paid apprenticeship for me but I found my legs rather quickly and am setting up my own shop at the end of this month.

Anyway that's my story if anyone was confused and I'm not ashamed to put it out there.

Now, back to the important stuff in life [:D]




estebanana -> [Deleted] (Jun. 19 2012 0:44:12)

Post has been moved to the Recycle Bin at Jun. 19 2012 16:09:31




Shawn Brock -> RE: Questions about woods. (Jun. 19 2012 1:44:05)

Stephen,
Don't know what your problem is with me, or what I ever did to you, or what your post had to do with anything. I don't have the slightest idea of who HeavyWood is, but from your post above it seems that you may have thought he was me or that we were in cahoots together? If so I can tell you that your wrong.

I'm also a little perplexed that you are operating under the assumption that I have commissioned a guitar from Andy. Here's the story with me and Andy, if you really want to know. I have spoken to him once in my life. That was when I was in the process of getting a negra built 6 months ago. I found him to be kind and easy to deal with. I also think he's on the right track with his guitars. As I said before, my opinion isn't worth as much as yours because I'm not a luthier. However, I am a player and players are what pay a luthiers bills, so maybe my opinion is more important than I have given it credit. I'm sure that Andy can vouch for my statement.

I was also about to defend you to HeavyWood, and report what a great conversation I had with you when we talked the one time, and of the great amount of pride and care you show for giving a player what he wants. In other words, I felt that our one conversation was a positive demonstration of your personality and skills. Apparently HeavyWood had a different experience than I did, that is until you pitched a baby fit over here, which I still don't understand. (huge shake of the head here) Maybe your already sorry for your post, and undoubted you may even be shamed into deleting it.

I can tell you one thing now sir, you never have to worry about getting my business. If you have a riff with Andy that's between the two of you and not me. For my part in this thread I just wanted Andy to know I appreciated his time and ideas just as much as everyone else's. And that's all.

I tried to talk with you for a month about having a blanca built, and the last words you said to me were, "Let me chew on this for a few days and get back with you." I never heard anything back until the day you posted on the foro looking for donations and/ or to try to get people to step up and place orders so you could get into your new shop. Once again I tried to keep the ball rolling, but never heard anything back from you. I know your busy, and that you are building for more important players than me, (and no, I'm not being sarcastic with that remark.) You have to understand that I won't chase a guy down to order a guitar from him though.

So in short I'm sorry that any relationship we had ended this way. All because I asked for the foro luthiers opinions on woods and bodies, and tried to let Andy know that I appreciated his input and valued his instruments, you found that to be a reason to go off the deep end. Still I think your a great guy and builder, even if you do jump to conclusions and I thank you for your time and input. Though your a great guitar maker, your not the detective that Jo Friday was. :)

So yes, go back to talking about what ever you want, all of this talking and not returning phone calls lost you a sale here.

Btw, Because I do respect your skills I'm glad to hear that you have had positive experiences with Castillo guitars. In addition to building me 2 great instruments, (so great that I sold a 60s Ramirez), he returns emails and phone calls when he has a customer who wants to order a guitar. His skills and customer service were enough to get my business and keep it for a 2nd guitar.

Good luck to you and no hard feelings here...




estebanana -> [Deleted] (Jun. 19 2012 2:21:09)

Post has been moved to the Recycle Bin at Jun. 19 2012 16:09:46




Page: <<   <   1 [2] 3    >   >>

Valid CSS!




Forum Software powered by ASP Playground Advanced Edition 2.0.5
Copyright © 2000 - 2003 ASPPlayground.NET