Official Luthiers Forum!

I hope you folks don't mind me sharing... I'm finally taking time to finish up some of the 'it might be cool to try...' projects I've started over the years. This one is a little 11-1/2" wide guitar loosely based on some 19th century guitars but with contemporary features like steel strings, modern machine heads, and an armrest bevel.

Specs: X-braced, 26" scale, 11-1/2" lower bout, body depth is 3.5-4"
Spruce top, Brazilian rosewood back, sides, headplate, rosette, and bridge (the back is Brazilian rosewood veneer laminated onto spruce). Honduras mahogany and Spanish cedar neck with V-joint. Cherry bindings. Finish is French polished shellac on the body, sprayed semi-gloss shellac over open pores for the neck.

More pics...

Of course we don't mind your sharing!

Cute little Parlour!

Wow, James!
It is quite stunning!
I really like the shape, the materials, and the finish.
The v joint looks well done.
I very much like the classical look applied to a steel string.
Thanks for sharing!
Regards,
Dan

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wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

James, I know next to nothing about parlor guitars, but I think you have created a stunning little beauty. A question I have is about the scale. Not a criticism, only a question: It's longer than the biggest honkin' arch top I've ever seen. Wow! Is this a normal scale for a guitar of this (otherwise) dainty size?

Regardless, I really like your little guitar. I'm not sure my old left hand could span the fret intervals, but in the final analysis, who cares what my old hands could do? I love it.

Patrick

Very nice, love the size, shape and bridge. Not a big fan of glossy finishes over open pores.

Beautiful little guitar! Where'd you get all the nice wood, Aaron?

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

I love it, James! That is an inspired creation. Well done!

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George :-)

Wow, An amazing looking guitar, I looks like it would be fun to play.

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http://www.Harvestmoonguitars.com

That is a very cool little guitar James. Love the way you've tied together the old and the new. I'd like to try a 26" scale. Do you notice the length?

That is one sweet little guitar James.

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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.

so god dang nice!

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member of the guild of professional dilettantes

Outstanding little ax Ringo!!!! Very well done!!!!

I see the Ervin influence in your bracing too - very cool!!!

Nice! I love smaller guitars, spruce double back?

I actually thought about going longer, but for the size and shape of the top a 26" scale got the bridge where I wanted it... a shorter scale put the bridge too close to the soundhole. Plus the longer scale gives it a little more tension and power over most modern scales which sounds really good. Feel-wise it's very close... the first fret is only .03" further away from the nut than it would be using a Martin scale.

Ha ha, we are actually competitors as I sell a good bit of wood on ebay. I am sure we get wood from a lot of the same importers, but I got this particular Brazilian from a veneer supplier... I want to say it was Certainly Wood. Just beautiful stuff.

Like I said a few posts up, not much if at all. It is a bit top heavy though... I really wish there was an affordable lightweight tuner set with wood buttons.

Beautiful, nice work!

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Yep, Brazilian rosewood laminated over spruce. It's my understanding that a lot of 19th century guitars were done this way. It definitely keeps things light and very lively.

And thanks everyone for the kind words... this has been a great project!

Very nice. Don't know how some of you guys get such a nice French polish. I really like that bridge and the overall shape.

Very sweet looking little guitar. I hope you enjoy it

Hope you didn't mind me having a little fun James. I've seen your tonewood on ebay, and it looks great. Unfortunately, with the down turn of the Canadian dollar..... ugh!

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

I love it!

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EddieLee

And now, part II, the nylon-string version:
Fan-braced, 26" scale, 11-1/2" lower bout, body depth is 3.5-4"
Lutz spruce top, Brazilian rosewood back (laminated onto spruce), sides, headplate, and bridge, African blackwood binding, Spanish cedar neck
Finish is French polished shellac on the body, semi-gloss shellac on the neck