2013: First Build (Full Version)

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pstan -> 2013: First Build (Feb. 22 2023 17:43:08)

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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pstan -> RE: 2013: First Build (Feb. 24 2023 10:13:09)

This raised fretboard.



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pstan -> RE: 2013: First Build (Feb. 24 2023 10:45:09)

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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Joan Maher -> RE: 2013: First Build (Feb. 24 2023 13:17:17)

A very original headstock!




RobF -> RE: 2013: First Build (Feb. 24 2023 17:37:24)

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?




Joan Maher -> RE: 2013: First Build (Feb. 24 2023 17:58:33)

Flamenco is folksiness in the purest sense so great feedback..




silddx -> RE: 2013: First Build (Feb. 24 2023 18:09:03)

Er. Wow! Really lovely craftsmanship.




mrstwinkle -> RE: 2013: First Build (Feb. 24 2023 19:00:08)

The forum onanists love this yet despise https://www.andalusianguitars.com/

Bananas.




RobF -> RE: 2013: First Build (Feb. 24 2023 19:30:37)

quote:

The forum onanists love this yet despise https://www.andalusianguitars.com/


Mainly because they’re played by w@nkers.




silddx -> RE: 2013: First Build (Feb. 24 2023 20:39:29)

They look disgusting to me. Truly ugly for no reason I can fathom.




silddx -> RE: 2013: First Build (Feb. 24 2023 20:44:53)

quote:

Mainly because they’re played by w@nkers.


Are these the ones played by that strange chap I've seen on YouTube?




RobF -> RE: 2013: First Build (Feb. 24 2023 21:33:25)

I was just playing on words, but yeah.

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…[:D]




ernandez R -> RE: 2013: First Build (Feb. 24 2023 22:05:07)

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




chester -> RE: 2013: First Build (Feb. 25 2023 0:16:34)

wow Pete -- the guitars look great, thanks for sharing.

i assume you've worked with wood before you attempted this?

what would it take for you to come and build me a guitar out of stuff we find in my neighborhood? [:D][:D][:D]




pstan -> RE: 2013: First Build (Feb. 25 2023 2:13:40)

Wow! Thanks for all your replies. I need some time to digest and respond.

I think I used to know what onanism meant, but admit I had to look it up.

Need to visit the referenced URL.

Later, Pete




pstan -> RE: 2013: First Build (Feb. 25 2023 12:48:25)

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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silddx -> RE: 2013: First Build (Feb. 25 2023 14:23:31)

Superb fretwork on the rosette.

And I assume tied gut for the frets.




pstan -> RE: 2013: First Build (Feb. 25 2023 22:31:10)

Hi silddx.

Yes I agree, those pics are of
a 6 Course Renaissance Lute after Venere 2014 built by by George Stevens.

Not my work I should have put that in the post.




silddx -> RE: 2013: First Build (Feb. 26 2023 0:14:46)

It's very beautiful.




pstan -> RE: 2013: First Build (Feb. 26 2023 11:13:27)

Yeah, here's another pic.

quote:

6 Course Renaissance Lute after Venere 2014 built by by George Stevens.




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