TANúñez -> RE: Tone Woods Query (Dec. 30 2007 2:02:34)
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Thanks to all of you for your helpful response. I have no background in wood-working, but am thinking about maybe building a guitar in a workshop course. In the meantime, I plan to follow up on your advice and learn a lot more before I make the first cut. I'd also like to know if you have any comments about smaller-scale guitars - like 640 or even 630. Can regular plans be adapted to accommodate these changes, or would it be best done by an experienced luthier? Most of the guitars I see on websites are 660 to 665 and that's way too large for my hands! Also, do you know any luthiers who might be willing to make a smaller-scale flamenco guitar? I won't have enough money to buy one for several more years, but want to scout around and see if anyone has information about this. So far, Kenny Hill is the only luthier I've found who makes hand-built and factory-built 640 flamencos, but don't know anything about their characteristics. Any comments? Thanks!!! Jasmine, Aside from the birth of my children, there has been no greater feeling than playing a guitar that I built. It's a wonderful feeling and I encourage you to give it a try if your really serious about it. Before you begin, buy the book 'Making Master Guitars' by Roy Courtnall or a new book with modern techniques called 'Classical Guitar Making' by J.S. Bogdanovich. It's good to be prepared and know what you'll be getting into. You can make a shorter scale guitar by just changing the numbers a little. Basically it'll depend on changing the distance from the nut to the 12th fret, the soundhole location, and the distance from the 12th fret to the saddle. A lot of makers will custom build you a guitar with a shorter scale. I personally think shorter scale guitars work better for classials than flamencos. I feel you lose some of the flamenco sound characteristics with a short scale. Plus, when you put the capo on, it will make for a really tight fit in the upper registers. It also won't necessarily be cheaper for a guitar this way. Tools, or good tools I should say, are expensive and you'll require many. If you can find someone to help you build using their tools and shop, great, as you'll save money depending on what their fees will be for the use of their time and shop. If you have to go on your own, it can be expensive.
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