RE: Building a modification of a 1968 Conde

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Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

I had to redo some things before I install the top.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 2 2015 14:17:49

SephardRick

Posts: 358
Joined: Apr. 11 2014

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Personally, I like the idea of using a neck with carbon inserts - adding neck strength and reducing weight.

Are you using reversible glue for most of the body build?

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Rick

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 5 2015 15:06:46

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to SephardRick)

quote:

Are you using reversible glue for most of the body build?

I use LMI's white builders glue that dries hard, like glass, and heat will loosen it, although not as easy as hide glue. I have sometimes removed bridges, with heat, up to 5 times, being very careful of the top's center seam. It takes a certain technique but it works fine.

If you are asking if other glues are compatible, then I would say to use the same glue or a compatible white glue for repair. Or just clean the surface before using other glues.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 5 2015 15:47:52

SephardRick

Posts: 358
Joined: Apr. 11 2014

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

quote:

If you are asking if other glues are compatible, then I would say to use the same glue or a compatible white glue for repair. Or just clean the surface before using other glues

I was just curious which glue because of your modern approach to the 1968 Conde project.

My line of thinking is if you replicate a classic guitar, car, or etc...using modern technology can greatly enhance the product's integrity. So, I was speculating you might be using a glue other than hot hide animal glue.

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Rick

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 5 2015 19:29:46

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to SephardRick)

quote:

My line of thinking is if you replicate a classic guitar, car, or etc...using modern technology can greatly enhance the product's integrity. So, I was speculating you might be using a glue other than hot hide animal glue.

Hide glue has its place for modern guitars if that's what the builder prefers, but I have found less problems with the LMI glue, with how to treat the build. It simplifies things for me.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 5 2015 20:31:51

David Aragon

Posts: 9
Joined: Jan. 3 2015

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Hi Tom

I'm new to the forum but I've been reading the lutherie section for a few months now (all 22 pages). I really enjoy your posting and sharing your knowledge. I believe you might have been at the GAL convention in 2005 where we briefly spoke. Anyway its a very interesting thread you got going here and thanks for sharing.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 8 2015 8:23:13

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to David Aragon)

Thank you but my one and only trip to the GAL convention was in 1995 when Jose Romanillos gave a class there.

That trip was in-part, a preparation for setting up a guitar factory in San Antonio Texas with a friend of mine but later it was cancelled due to too much work with his primary business, which had a multimillion dollar income.

So, I kept building in my own shop, making improvements where I could, and producing two guitar plans for the GAL that turned out to be their best sellers; a Miguel Rodriguez and Manuel Reyes.

And this current tutorial I'm working on might be a potential third plan for the Guild if everything comes out right.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 8 2015 13:24:35

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

This video is the top and certain angles that I use for the installation.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 9 2015 13:47:51

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

I just happened upon a You Tube demo for Zavaletas guitars, performed by an old friend of mine from years past. Miguel Rodriguez is originally from San Antonio and a guitarists guitarist.

He has out performed all US artists years past and seems to be keeping his hands fit for today's artistic expression. I remember showing him my picado style when he was about 12 years old. He took it and ran with it, a la Paco, many years ago.

Miguel is an accomplished musician from flamenco to bossa nova....... he has always excelled in the art of Flamenco.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 11 2015 15:08:49

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Here is a Manuel Adalid flamenco model I just finished inspecting. This guitar is being sent to Manuel for the up and coming NAMM show this month in California.

This particular model is built closer to the 1987 Reyes style and the top is 2.5 mm thick in some places; thicker than my style but it has very good vibes with good articulation and vowel tone.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 18 2015 15:21:54

SephardRick

Posts: 358
Joined: Apr. 11 2014

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Tom,

I sure like what I am hearing out that guitar!

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Rick

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 21 2015 14:19:27

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to SephardRick)

Thanks, this is the whole point of getting a guitar to the public that has a quality build and tone, for half my price......

This guitar will be showed at NAMM 1-22-25, 2015, this week.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 21 2015 15:03:15

constructordeguitarras

Posts: 1694
Joined: Jan. 29 2012
From: Seattle, Washington, USA

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

quote:

thicker than my style but it has very good vibes with good articulation and vowel tone.

Greetings, Tom.

Vowel tone? I haven't heard of that before. Can you explain?

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Ethan Deutsch
www.edluthier.com
www.facebook.com/ethandeutschguitars
www.youtube.com/marioamayaflamenco
I always have flamenco guitars available for sale.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 21 2015 15:14:10

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to constructordeguitarras)

Hi Ethan,

The guitar mentioned above, with vowel tone, describes a certain edge of dimensional sound that emulates a human voice; not that other guitars don't have it but this one is quite nice and it is available at the NAMM show, possibly at the Esteve guitar booth.

If you have a chance to see it, I would like to have your feed back. The guitar is built to retail for about a 5,000 to $6,000 price range.

Ask around for Manuel Adalid.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 21 2015 16:40:11

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to SephardRick)

quote:

Tom,

I sure like what I am hearing out that guitar!

I just heard from my source at the NAMM show, yesterday, that Tony Acosta in New York at "Luthier Music Corp" bought this flamenco guitar. I assume that it will be for resale at his store............ the only store on the East Coast that specializes in classical and Flamenco guitars.

From my understanding, Tony is very impressed with it. I'll try and post some still photos of the guitar asap, in a day or two. Someone is going to have a chance to buy a really nice instrument.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 25 2015 15:29:30

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Adalid's pics of the flamenco guitar which is totally French polished very nicely.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 25 2015 21:46:36

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Here's some more pictures of the Adalid

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Attachment (4)

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 25 2015 21:52:30

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

And some more ADALID pics:

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Attachment (4)

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 25 2015 21:54:44

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

And three more pics:

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

Attachment (3)

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 25 2015 21:57:02

SephardRick

Posts: 358
Joined: Apr. 11 2014

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Do you or Luthier Music insert a label inside the sound hole noting your fine tuning?

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Rick

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 26 2015 14:45:17

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to SephardRick)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SephardRick

So, Tom...Do you or Luthier Music insert a label inside the sound hole noting your fine tuning?

No Sir, as this is only a temporary proprietary move toward Manuel developing and contributing his skill toward total involvement, which I've noticed that he is getting very close to a level of tonal purity that will excel in the market place, for the FLAMENCO GUITAR.

Right now, I'm just here as a back up in case an adjustment is needed. In other words, some flamencos might need a small adjustment and some may not. I think the ideal is to have a way to present guitar quality on a consistant basis. And, right now, this association is a good thing, until I'm no longer needed.

Note: His classical guitar that I inspected was very good and required no adjustment.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 26 2015 15:20:26

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Now back to the 68 Conde tutorial with an insert of RE Brune's 1967 Conde that is quite different in its pattern from the '68 that I'm working with. The differences are very interesting.

http://www.rebrune.com/1967-faustino-conde/

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 28 2015 3:23:28

sig

Posts: 296
Joined: Nov. 7 2007
From: Wisconsin

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Tom,
I really like what i'm seeing from Adalid but i'm a bit confused. I see over at Zaveleta's website, the Adalid negra is $2,600 and I thought a blanca was around 2.5k. Is this a special luthier model for 5-6 that he is having you fine tune?
Thx,
Sig--

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 28 2015 16:29:22

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to sig)

quote:

ORIGINAL: sig

Tom,
I really like what i'm seeing from Adalid but i'm a bit confused. I see over at Zaveleta's website, the Adalid negra is $2,600 and I thought a blanca was around 2.5k. Is this a special luthier model for 5-6 that he is having you fine tune?
Thx,
Sig--

I can tell you that my cost is more than that for the flamenco and classical guitars. Tony Acosta paid quite a bit more for this model, wholesale, which is a special build, not the same as the models at Zavaletas. This model is built to compete with my own 10,500 dollar flamenco model but is reduced in price.

Don't quote me, but I believe that this flamenco model sells from the factory for 4500 euros wholesale, so there will be some mark up for US sales. The one that Tony owns is worth it at any price above that.... as it has a million dollar smile

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 28 2015 17:40:48

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Here is some rambling on about the guitar's insides before I glue the back on:

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 29 2015 12:26:25

sig

Posts: 296
Joined: Nov. 7 2007
From: Wisconsin

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Tom,
Yeah, I figured it was a special build. Looks good and love to give it a try! Brune' has one of your instruments at his shop I just noticed. I may have to venture down there and have a look around. I haven't been there in probably 10 years...
Sig--

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 29 2015 17:34:28

constructordeguitarras

Posts: 1694
Joined: Jan. 29 2012
From: Seattle, Washington, USA

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Tom, you mention in the video that you wash coat the inside of the back with shellac. I have long wondered how that can be done without covering the part of it that needs to become a glue joint. Do you just coat up to that perimeter?

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Ethan Deutsch
www.edluthier.com
www.facebook.com/ethandeutschguitars
www.youtube.com/marioamayaflamenco
I always have flamenco guitars available for sale.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 30 2015 5:29:41

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to constructordeguitarras)

I wash coat it after everything is glued and then glue the back to the sides. The coat is thin enough that I could wash coat it before I glue the braces, like I do with the top. Working this with the top helps the fan brace from making too much of a glue imprint on a thin top when I use white glue.

I mix 190 proof alcohol 11 parts to 1 part shellac, and do a couple of light coats.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 30 2015 12:58:36

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to sig)

Brune' has one of your instruments at his shop I just noticed. I may have to venture down there and have a look around. I haven't been there in probably 10 years...
Sig--

.................................

I'm sure RE Brune would love to see you. The Blackshear guitar he has for sale has been to war but when it was new, it was the best Barbero style I ever built.

Every facet of it, including the voice, worked right. But no telling what it sounds like now.

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Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 31 2015 1:08:44

sig

Posts: 296
Joined: Nov. 7 2007
From: Wisconsin

RE: Building a modification of a 196... (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

Yes, I believe you are correct when you say "been to war". Frankly, i've never really cared that much about the look of an instrument, to me it's more about how it feels and sounds, not so much condition, that being said, for the right price :)
Sig--

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 2 2015 19:36:57