|
Armando -> RE: Santos or Barbero plan (Feb. 4 2007 21:49:46)
|
Hello JasonM
When i started luthery i have first built both models, the Santos and the Barbero. I couldn't tell which one is better or easier to build. I think both are well suited to start with, but both guitars are completely different. The Santos is more lightly built with a shorter scale. A Santos plan drawn by Roy Courtnall is availlable at madinter and a Barbero plan drawn by R.E.Bruné is availlable at luth.org
On the link below you may find out whether or not you should get into luthery.
http://www.buildyourguitar.com/isitworth/quiz/index.htm
The sound of the two guitars is difficult to describe. You may hear the Barbero sound on some old Sabicas recordings such as "flamenco puro"
Santos Hernandez recordings are more difficult to come by. I couldn't tell you right away where to find it.
However, it is not easy to really catch the authentic sound of either the Santos or the Barbero. It is not recomendable to just copy the measurements of top and back thicknesses as indicated on the blueprints because every piece of wood has different phisical and acustical properties. The correct thickness of top and back must be determined according to the stiffenss and densitiy of the material used. Even if you are already experienced in woodworking and familiar with guitarmaking, it is unlikely that your guitar will sound Santos or Barbero alike. However it is possible to get closer to the real sound if you build few guitars of the same model in a row. You are going to understand better the whole construction and most probably your'e going to realize how to adjust the guitar in order to improve the tone.
Another thing to consider is the money you are going to spend when starting with luthery. If you really want to build an acceptable instrument you will have to purchase a couple of tools. It is possible though to build a guitar just with a few chisels and drills and a plane but it will be quite a hassle. The progress will be slow, the outcome of the work will not be that acurate and the risk of spoiling things is much higher as well, unless you are a very skilled woodworker.
A good assortment of fine woodworking tools is recommendable if you have in mind to build more than one guitar. It's just more fun to have good tools at hand.
Finally you need to have also some tonewoods. You may start with a Kit or you can try to build the guitar all by yourself. The thing is, that the woods as sold by the supplier are usually green and not seasoned.
Before you start building you need to make sure the wood is dry enough. (not more than 8% humidity contain in the wood) Ohterwise you may experience serious problems during building (warping of parts) or afterwards once the guitar is assembled cracks my appear due to evaporation of the humidity in the wood. Therefore it's best to purchase the tonewoods early enough and to store the wood in the same climate and humidity (45-50% humidity) as the instrument is going to be assembled.
There would be much more to talk about but i think this are the basics to consider when starting with luthery.
Once you have successfully built your first guitar, you are going to be proud on yourself and you will enioy your instrument.
Good luck
Armando
|
|
|
|
