Even though it’s recorded with an iPhone and my playing sounds like I’m chopping bamboo with a dull machete, I think this new guitar is good.
The customer requested a removable, resettable neck, which isn’t normally how I work, but nonetheless you do what they request within reason. I ended up making a bolt on spline joint with a glued on fingerboard. In order to reset the neck, the fingerboard has to be taken off. Sorry for your pain.
Otherwise it’s a 660 scale with a 52mm nut and Peghed planetary gear tuners. The balance is perfect despite having a Frankenstein bolt in its neck. It’s a common 1/4” machine thread with a hex head. You can remove it with a normal ratchet set.
I’m not practicing guitar very much these days, just sight reading the sheet music I give the classical guitar ensemble I direct on Saturday mornings. The last two years I’ve had all classical orders and this is the first flamenco guitar I’ve finished since 2021, I like it, it’s got guts, you can lean into and it won’t bottom out. The treble is set at 2.5 mm and bass 3.0 mm respectively at 12th fret. The saddle is 7.5 treble side and 8.5 bass, there’s room to lower the bass side and it doesn’t buzz ( why would it?) but I’m not going to lower it more because I think this customer wouldn’t like it. Just a hunch. We’ll see.
It plays easy, rips alzapua and spins off arpeggio properly. I wish there was a better flamenco player in my area…
ernandez R -> RE: New Blanca (Aug. 2 2023 7:22:15)
Both sound nice Stephen.
Only slightly diss a pointed your teutonic alter ego, was it Hanz or Franz I don’t recall, didn’t chip in. Perhaps it’s time to let him out if the cellar?
What’s next in the bench?
Couple weeks out of my month long coved adventure still don’t dare get around wood dust etc but figure I’ll be back in the shop in a two weeks.
HR
Morante -> RE: New Blanca (Aug. 2 2023 15:19:06)
quote:
I ended up making a bolt on spline joint with a glued on fingerboard. In order to reset the neck, the fingerboard has to be taken off.
¡OLE tus cojones!
Don't know why this is not standard, with a titanium truss rod. The Spanish guitar would sound as good but be easier to repair
Ricardo -> RE: New Blanca (Aug. 2 2023 15:26:23)
It is nice that around here guys like you and Culpepper can actually play your creations well enough I can hear and feel what is going on. Thanks for the long demos. I will be jealous of whoever gets that little guitar…I refuse to play guiliani or sor ever. [:D] I have been working on the vihuela stuff though, I’ll take that style over Baroque or classical era any day (not talking about Bach of course, but guitar stuff I mean).
Fawkes -> RE: New Blanca (Aug. 2 2023 18:28:32)
I love the sound of that guitar. I know you don't buy into the idea of "old school sound" but in my framework that guitar has it, and other modern guitars don't. It's capable of being raunchy and exotic without being brash, and lyrical without losing texture and interest.
estebanana -> RE: New Blanca (Aug. 3 2023 3:20:38)
Well Ricardo, you just moved to front of the pre-qualified buyers line. I’ll send it to you if you make religiously accurate regular payments. 😂 kidding, but not kidding.
orsonw -> RE: New Blanca (Aug. 3 2023 12:17:51)
Thanks for posting. Both sound great. The '19th century spirit guitar' is beautiful. I like the darker mismatched soundboard join and the wood (maple?) golpeador.
I’ll send it to you if you make religiously accurate regular payments.
I would, if only I could get religiously accurate regular gigs.[:D]
Firefrets -> RE: New Blanca (Aug. 3 2023 18:11:47)
Not too shabby with the old flamenco licks there. Guitars are sounding good in my phones. Nice job.
Steven Campoli -> RE: New Blanca (Aug. 4 2023 1:21:34)
I love the sound of both of them, I feel the attack they have whether modern or old school. I wish I had access to these, in montreal theirs only one store selling flamencos and it’s commercial camps, Raimundo, Alhambra… do you have a website or catalog. Thanks for sharing and playing them so we can hear.
estebanana -> RE: New Blanca (Aug. 4 2023 1:43:42)
Thank you,
You can see my website- we need to update it, but the information about which models I make hasn’t changed. I make straight ahead Blanca / negra flamenco guitars, the ‘ Calle’ Carpinteria’ model the one in the video ( I also make late 19th century models with other plantillas like copies of Arias or other Spanish makers from that time.
I make 7 string guitars, although I am not pushing in that market because it’s not popular in my region. My classical guitars are probably aimed at being like Granada makers, not over built, not influenced by double top direction. I use a fan brace arrangement often with a couple light cross braces. Live link: https://www.stephenfaulkguitars.com
estebanana -> RE: New Blanca (Aug. 4 2023 3:51:48)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Ricardo
quote:
I’ll send it to you if you make religiously accurate regular payments.
I would, if only I could get religiously accurate regular gigs.[:D]
Dude, just get some foxy girls together and organize a car wash where they gallivant around in tight wet tee shirts and you have a stage where you jam Bach on an electric guitar played through at least three fuzz pedals. Everyone makes money and gets a show.
Wet tee shirt. Car wash Bach Festival, what could possibly be better?
estebanana -> RE: New Blanca (Aug. 4 2023 4:55:55)
Another listen to the Calle’ model
Ricardo -> RE: New Blanca (Aug. 4 2023 15:33:53)
quote:
you jam Bach on an electric guitar played through at least three fuzz pedals.
I’ve got all that covered easily, but I only have two fuzz pedals at the moment. I am saving for the third.
estebanana -> RE: New Blanca (Aug. 5 2023 4:38:10)
I’ll throw in these special edition Jumbo Conde’ Cones to sweeten the deal.
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Ricardo -> RE: New Blanca (Aug. 5 2023 17:16:28)
That is a big Cone Day.
estebanana -> RE: New Blanca (Aug. 15 2023 5:22:22)
News:
I returned the fee for the full size Blanca because I had some issues with the customer and decided it wasn’t worth dealing with them. The older you get the less you need to acquiesce to the thinking of the greedy and fools. Have taken delivery of the guitar now.
I’ll be putting up for sale in the near future, so it’s available.
Stu -> RE: New Blanca (Aug. 17 2023 21:45:24)
Awesome guitars man. Sound great. Love the little one! Thanks for sharing
