Official Luthiers Forum!

I've been working on a new model of prototypes for well over a decade now. It's been a pet project of mine. One that I've done for my own gratification and curiosity rather than one that was intended to be pushed out the door to make some money.

I've found, for myself at least, that it's always far better to build what inspires you and let your market find you rather than trying to build everything that you think someone will buy. That's not to say everything I do is original, because it's not, but rather what I've been building inspires me. If I could totally build on spec every guitar and sell them comfortably and reliably I would.

So I've been through quite the renascentia in terms of my guitars, my likes, and my personal style. I hope the guitarists of the world like them. I know I sure do.

So here is the first official new Grand Concert of mine. It's my own shape that took roots from a J-185, and OM, and a SJ. It sports a simple Medallion rosette with Celtic knot inlay done by me. I'm not nearly as talented with inlay as Lavin, Wingert, Robinsion, ect. ect. but it's a nice touch I think and suits the instrument. I've got 3 more of these models that will be with me at healdsburg and a new model that is a modern take on a 00 with mosaic medallion and endgraft as well.

Cedar top
Wenge back and sides
Cuban Mahogany neck
African blackwood fretboard, bridge, headplate/backplate, binding
A variation of my Eureka! bracing (which is still changing)
And other random goodies like a Somogyi low profile heel, my new bridge, ebony purfling, bone pins, yadda yadda.

There's probably not a real reason to post this, and therefore it's gratuitous, but if I may say to you all; Build what inspires you. Take what's inside you and create a tangible thing from that. Make the instrument a extension of you, and not just something chasing customers. If you put yourself into it, and do a exceptional job you won't have to chase customers.

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

John, Thank you for taking the time to post this. That is a beautiful instrument.

Truly elegant John!
And even more so, your statement, a great philosophy to work/live by!

Joe

very nice indeed! Love the woods...I am a big fan of darker woods and finish IMHO I thinks it imparts a warmer sound and look!!!

_________________
MK5acoustics.com

Beautiful design and superb execution - that's what it's all about!

Congrats on such a high degree of proficiency in both areas... (c:

Trev

_________________
http://www.PeakeGuitars.com

That's a very nice plantilla and probably one of my favorite cut-out shapes of all time. Very nice!

_________________
Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

Very nice. How do you like the wenge?

Steve

Subdued and elegant. Classy stuff!
(boy, some of you guys have set the bar really high)

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

John, that is a truly beautiful instrument. Every single element of your design is beautiful, as is the execution. Maybe I'll be able to do that some day.
Patrick

John,

Your hard work ha paid off, congrats on putting together a unique and elegant design. I could easily see this being a signature model for years to come. I'd like to make one tiny suggestion though, take another look at the screw holding the truss rod cover. It kind of stick out when compared to the rest of the design. Then again maybe it's just me as I have a grudge against all non-phillips head screws.

Bring lots of business cards and order forms to Healdsburg, I think you'll have plenty of interest.

Bob

You just can't argue with this, or the beautiful guitar!

_________________
Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
http://redrivercanoe.ca/

Very Nice John! I look forward to seeing you at Healdsburg this year.

Looks great John. I like the body shape too.

Man, that is nice work.
Such nice work, it's hard not to get your head puffed up, huh?

_________________
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008907949110

Thanks everyone!

Steve re: wenge; IT is horrible to work. One of the worst bending woods. Has huge splinters that, for sure, get you. pores the size of a small country. That being said... I love it! The ring is so nice, and the grain and color, while understated, is classy and gorgeous I think.

Bob: I've been working on a new truss rod cover. I need to get it CNC'ed soon. It's the same basic shape, but it will have mini rare earth magnets imbedded in it with ones matching on the headstock so it will look like it's just sitting there. I had never thought much about it actually until, while in a conversation with Mario Beauregard, I looked at some of his acoustics and saw his truss rod cover and how it just sits there. I'm not sure how he does it so I can't speak to that, but I figured mini rare earth magnets will do well. I had a friend, who has since passed away, that made really cool bass guitars and he did similar things to hold on the cover plates and such. So it's in the works, I just haven't finished it all off yet. Till then the old tried and true screw will work fine. I don't mind the flat head screw.

Robbie: Ditto! be sure and stop by to say howdy.

David: I have made so many mistakes in guitars, and life, and life with lutherie that I know to keep my head down. Not to say I'm not proud of my work, because I am, but I know where I've come from and what I've overcome personally. Oh and just listened to your youtube video! Nice chops! I wish I could play that well.

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

I think the word is sublime.....
Love the Wenge, got to try some.

_________________
The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

That is beautiful John! Thanks for posting the pictures. I'm surprised how good Wenge looks!

_________________
Formerly known as Adaboy.......

Beautiful guitar! I like the rosette design elements. Is that something we can feel free to incorporate?
BTW Wikipedia says that Wenge splinters are septic. I've never had a problem with them, except sometimes they're REALLY long, and break off under my skin.

_________________
Old growth, shmold growth!

Wow i love that body shape!! I am brand new, and just made 1 guitar so far, starting on 2 & 3 any day now and I agree with everything you say John! After reading what you said, I think you and I are on the same exact page (except that you are really good and im a rookie ) but my first build was just an experiment, and it actually came out to sound like a pretty decent guitar. I took whats in my head and put it on paper, then some research and came up with some pretty cool stuff. Since my first build, i have done a handful of research and modifications to my first, and im hoping to get something one of a kind that maybe someone will appreciate one day. If not, of well, one more guitar in my collection that i will cherish!

The splinters sting indeed!

The medallion rosette is an original design of mine (not sure if it's been done before.. likely has, but I didn;t copy it anywhere) I don't have any copyright or anything on it so there is nothing to stop you from using it. I would however recommend you use it as inspiration for your creativity to spark something else in the same vein. Of course if you want to copy it your free to, but I'd appreciate a mention for the design.

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Beautiful, John.
I had to google renascentia though,
to see what that word means.
Rebirth.
Gotta love google!
Congrats!

John,
A really beautiful guitar. Great wood choices, and excellent execution on the build.
I really like the design. I've done mostly OM's, but recently I've done 2 MJ's, and
I really like that body shape. Yours is similar in the voluptuous curves. I'm going to
try my first florentine cutaway on the next MJ.

_________________
Gene

Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason- Mark Twain

John, that's quite nice. Really has--to my eye--a West Coast vibe.
Not bad for an Okie!

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Mighty fine, John!

Pat

_________________
formerly known around here as burbank
_________________

http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Awesome inlay and binding/purfling work. 1st time i've seen the binding go across the nut end of a fretboard. I love the inlay around the soundhole how it goes into the hole. Lovely guitar. You can get those magnets out of computer hard-drives. You won't believe how much power they have for their size.

_________________
Jason Moe
LaCrosse WI 54601