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Blues Town bracing pic
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=21569		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  David Newton [ Fri Mar 20, 2009 9:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Blues Town bracing pic
This is for my L-0 style guitar, I'm calling them "The Blues Town"
Author:  StevenWheeler [ Fri Mar 20, 2009 9:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blues Town bracing pic
Very cool. I've got two "O"'s in process now. My bracing is more along the Martin Number 2 configuration. What scale length are you using?

Steve
Author:  David Newton [ Fri Mar 20, 2009 11:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blues Town bracing pic
Hi Steve.
It's 24.9, 14 frets. From my plans of a '34 L-00.

That picture looks like a size 2, but I'm onboard with what you are building.
Show us when you are done.
Author:  StevenWheeler [ Sat Mar 21, 2009 8:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Blues Town bracing pic
I thought your bridge patch looked a little higher than mine. I went with 24.75" 12 fret. Here's the first one, it was my first commission. I loved the little thing so I'm making one for myself.

Steve
Author:  David Newton [ Sat Mar 21, 2009 9:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Blues Town bracing pic
Yes, I've done these L-00's in 12 and 14 frets, I prefer the 14 fret version, not that I know what to do with two extra frets!
These are my favorite guitars, the one that I copied was the one that began my search for "that sound".
Author:  John Mayes [ Sat Mar 21, 2009 1:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blues Town bracing pic
David Newton wrote:
Yes, I've done these L-00's in 12 and 14 frets, I prefer the 14 fret version, not that I know what to do with two extra frets!
These are my favorite guitars, the one that I copied was the one that began my search for "that sound".

L-00 are my favorites a well. I use a 13 fret configuration. and a 24.75 scale. Really hits a sweet spot imo.
Author:  David Newton [ Sat Mar 21, 2009 1:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blues Town bracing pic
Hi John,
Thanks for chiming in. I have a commission for a 13 fret Nick Lucas Special in Mahogany and Red spruce, the customer wants 25.4 scale, which worried me a bit, that I might be losing the "vibe" of the thing, but he's spec'd it for light ga. strings, so I may gain something back with that.
Any comments?
Author:  John Mayes [ Sat Mar 21, 2009 2:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blues Town bracing pic
David Newton wrote:
Hi John,
Thanks for chiming in. I have a commission for a 13 fret Nick Lucas Special in Mahogany and Red spruce, the customer wants 25.4 scale, which worried me a bit, that I might be losing the "vibe" of the thing, but he's spec'd it for light ga. strings, so I may gain something back with that.
Any comments?


Here is a pic of a 13 fret L-00 size with a 25.5 scale. One of the best sounding guitars I've ever made. And also is a pic of the bracing I used on it. Not the traditional Gibson thin/tall bracing, but it's my take on things. Worked really well. It's Lutz/Honduran Mahogany

Image

Image
Author:  David Newton [ Sat Mar 21, 2009 2:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blues Town bracing pic
Well OK then!
We can talk about Gibson style tall-skinny, buy yours isn't much heavier. I love the wide expanse of open land on the lower treble.
Author:  StevenWheeler [ Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blues Town bracing pic
It looks like we're all in agreement on the tapered shaping on the braces. Sorry I don't have pics of my own braced sound board. I'm terrible at taking in process pics.
It looks like all the soundholes are pushed north to help the bass as well. I burnt up as much real estate as possible leaving just enough room to get the 19th fret in there. Made it a little tough to get my hand in to tighten the neck bolts.

Steve
Author:  David Newton [ Sat Mar 21, 2009 7:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blues Town bracing pic
I would like to point out the marked difference between John's and my bracing styles. Look how clean and sharp his work is.
Now compare it to this closer-up of my work. I actually go to a lot of effort to make glue blobs and rough carving on my top bracing. I pride myself on my "vintage" style, my stuff looks 90 years old right out of the gate.

I spend lots more time on the back bracing, as this is the area that the owner sees, none of my owners have mirrors, I always check first. :roll:

How do you get such sharp pictures?
Author:  John Mayes [ Sat Mar 21, 2009 9:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blues Town bracing pic
David Newton wrote:
I would like to point out the marked difference between John's and my bracing styles. Look how clean and sharp his work is.
Now compare it to this closer-up of my work. I actually go to a lot of effort to make glue blobs and rough carving on my top bracing. I pride myself on my "vintage" style, my stuff looks 90 years old right out of the gate.

I spend lots more time on the back bracing, as this is the area that the owner sees, none of my owners have mirrors, I always check first. :roll:

How do you get such sharp pictures?


You know I know fellas who literally use old steel table saw blades one the braces to get the same look as the old stuff. I've got no problem with things that are not absolute perfection. Dana used to say "Perfection is boring, but the mark of human hands is inspiring. Of course he/the guys in the shop made one heck of a clean guitar. That said little things usually drive me nuts, and I just have to keep cleaning things up till they are almost spotless. I used to not be this way, but I've morphed into it over the years.

As for the pictures I'm using a Olympus E-500 Digital SLR. Run the pics through some processing with Macromedia fireworks. Although the pictures right off the camera are pretty stunning. You can find used E-500 for less than $400 now. I paid almost a grand for mine when I bought it new. Came with two lenses and I hardly never use the 150mm one. I want to get a nice Macro lens though. Anyway.... I like your guitar, glue blobs and all!
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