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RE: FINE TUNING A GUITAR
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David Alford
Posts: 4
Joined: Oct. 4 2014
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 RE: FINE TUNING A GUITAR (in reply to Tom Blackshear)
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I've been following this thread with interest as Tom made this guitar for me and it has just arrived! Due to travel, I'll have to be brief in my comments and these are just my personal impressions of course.
If I were able, I'd like to retitle this thread "Tom Blacksear's Vindication"...I feel pretty strongly that Tom's fine tuning had indeed been vindicated despite the critics who say it's smoke and mirrors or much to do about nothing. To the contrary, the voice of this guitar suggests entirely the opposite conclusion. Fine tuning works and while not everyone may appreciate the refinement it achieves, more and more luthiers are undoubtedly paying closer attention to what Tom has been advocating for years.
The analogy (albeit a much simpler example) I would make is leather stropping a knife edge. Is leather stropping necessary to achieve a sharp edge? No, it's not. But leather stropping achieves a refinement, a sort of perfection of a knife's edge despite the fact that very little change is being produced to the edge. Hardly any metal is removed in leather stropping, so it's remarkable the difference achieved. But in art and craft, as well in life, it's the little things that often make an appreciable difference...
Back to THIS guitar, I'm lucky to be the owner and I know it. The guitar means a lot to me, in large part because Tom and I have a bit of history that goes way back. It really is a marvelous instrument. Let me compare it to two other guitars I have, a Gerundino and a recent Navarro (also based on the Reyes model).
On a scale of 1 to 10....
1. Build/Craftsmanship: TB - 9, G -7, N-8
2. Bass: TB-9, G-8, N-7
3. Treble: TB-9, G-7, N-7
4. Volume: TB-9, G-8, N-8
5. Playability: TB-9, G-8, N-8
This guitars' voice will improve over time, but the fundamental difference between it and the other two is that this instrument has a crisper more immediate response. Definitely, more raspy/flamenco although the Gerundino is quite good as well.
I do like the Gerundino sound. The one I have is just not quite as good as Tom's guitar. However, that raises the question of whether the Gerundino could be fined tuned and it's voicing improved a notch or two. I suspect the answer to that would be "yes". One of the best guitars I ever played was Paco Gastor's Gerundino. I know Tom has the precise measurements of this very same instrument and I hope someday he will offer his version (and with his fine tuning). I expect it would be an interesting project. Perhaps one he might undertake with Manuel Adalid?
At any rate, I'm very happy with this Reyes/Blackshear model and the years ahead should be fun. This guitar beckons to be played..a wonderful feeling.
Thanks, Tom. Well done, my friend.
David Alford
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Date Oct. 4 2014 4:29:50
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Tom Blackshear
Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008
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RE: FINE TUNING A GUITAR (in reply to Ricardo)
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Well, folks, this has been fun, and it might be some time before I do this again. If I continue to build, then there might be a different style in the making.
I appreciate the Spanish master builders' and their guitars that have found their way to my shop, for this individual to be able to explore. All in all, I hope my work has been the most sincere form of flattery to their art.
Honestly I had no idea that this would go beyond certain restrictions set and lost by many traditionalists but I'm happy to say that this industry is making up for lost time.
There are so many innovations, many that have been lost in Antiquity, and a few newer designs that have made a mark in this industry.
For me to try and bring back certain older methods of fine tuning, doesn't apply as a new technology from me, just an interesting venture into something that has already been similarly done before. So, I take no credit in this regard.
But what I will take credit for, is having enough passion for this endeavor, to try and promote it for the sake of the art. Every little bit of information is important to have, even though we may not fully use it for a time.
So, this older but new technology has come to its introduction and some builders are trying it out. Some of their response has been positive and some of the others are still working with it to find their propio sello.
_____________________________
Tom Blackshear Guitar maker
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Date Oct. 5 2014 14:26:03
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Tom Blackshear
Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008
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RE: FINE TUNING A GUITAR (in reply to Tom Blackshear)
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Ola Todos,
I've been sitting back and thinking about the next project I will build. This first project was a training tool for me to learn how to present a solution to building a flamenco guitar, step by step, for tonal finish out. This next project would be the same but with, perhaps, a better presentation.
So, unless something prevents it, I'll be starting another project in a few weeks, perhaps under a different name, so it will keep this present thread separate.
My immediate thoughts are centered around the 1969 Gerundino of Paco Del Gastor, 1955 Conde of Nino Ricardo, or my own creation, with experience taken from an amalgam of many different styles I have worked with over the years.
For those who are interested, please give your preference and I'll try and present something of majority interest.
_____________________________
Tom Blackshear Guitar maker
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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |
Date Oct. 15 2014 14:22:49
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