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Trans-Atlantic Guitar Swap
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Author:  JJ Donohue [ Sun Apr 05, 2009 9:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Trans-Atlantic Guitar Swap
About a year ago, Sam Price and I began talking about how cool it would be to build a guitar for each other. The project would involve a highly cooperative effort whereby each of us would be able to assume the roles of a customer and builder at the same time…like a practice commission of sorts. The fact that it was Trans-Atlantic only made it more challenging. Reliance on active communication and all of the attention to details would be critical in meeting the requirements of each customer.

For me, I was interested in getting a guitar with a “British accent”…one of those melodic crystal-laced Celtic influenced instruments that we’ve all heard. Since Sam is not only a builder but also a singer-songwriter, she knew exactly what I was talking about. For Sam, I promised her an American style design and sounding guitar based in the Martin X-braced tradition.

About a week ago, we completed the deal and we received our new guitars. I was extremely pleased with Siorai, meaning “eternal” in Gaelic that Sam named. It is a full-bodied guitar of her design…somewhat like an SJ but with quite different bracing which I will let her describe. It is 16 frets to the body and sings like a Celtic choir. It is made of Tasmanian Myrtle B&S and topped off with a Sitka soundboard. It also has a pinless bridge made from Jarrah and uses a split saddle. It has many of the design features that we’ve come to expect from many of our British forum brethren, including carbon fiber buttresses and an adjustable neck. One of my favorite aesthetic touches that I am so grateful for are the examples of Sam’s artistry related to her trademark inlayed Ebony & Maple Celtic knots at the headstock and 12th fret.

A surprisingly interesting challenge in the project was the fact that Sam plays left-handed. No problem with the build once we made a few mirror imaged jigs and remembered to slot the nuts in reverse. The only regret we both had was that we couldn’t play them very well before sending them across the pond. I actually found a left-handed touring professional to put my guitar ("Samantha") through its paces. Fortunately, he was pleased with the sound and playability so I considered it ready for shipping.

Check out the pictures. Sam will be chiming in with a description of her new guitar.

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Siorai Top.jpg


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Siorai Headstock.jpg


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Siorai Fingerboard.jpg


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Siorai Back.jpg
Author:  Chris aka Sniggly [ Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Trans-Atlantic Guitar Swap
JJ that's awesome. I bet that guitar sounds fantastic! Incredible stuff.
Author:  Lillian F-W [ Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Trans-Atlantic Guitar Swap
What a cool idea. JJ, its beautiful. Sam you should be so proud. SOUND CLIP??
Author:  Sam Price [ Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Trans-Atlantic Guitar Swap
I must add, at the early stage I am still at with guitar building, that my influences are directly from the likes of George Lowden, Dave White and Colin Symmonds. The symmetrical bracing AXX is based on an Avalon guitar I have, and seems to produce a balanced tone.

JJ built me a guitar based on the OLF SJ plans- Sapele/Adirondack, with a cherry neck, coco binding and braz rosewood bridge, with a finish courtesy of Joe White. This guitar does emcompass the "very present" American sound- but JJ's Irish heritage (hence "Siorai"- the name of the guitar I built him) cannot be ignored with the sensitivity of the tone that can be compared to Irish guitars. In fact, someone who played his guitar before it was shipped to me commented as to how it sounded like a Lowden guitar- and I would be inclined to agree.

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Author:  Matthew Jenkins [ Mon Apr 06, 2009 2:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Trans-Atlantic Guitar Swap
Beautiful guitars and a real nice idea. Congrats!!

Maybe Howard and I could do one of these swaps ;)

Mat
Author:  StevenWheeler [ Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Trans-Atlantic Guitar Swap
Wow, beautiful work on both of your parts. Kudos to whoever came up with the idea and to the other for playing along.
JJ, I do hope your bringing Siorai along to the get together at John Watkins shop.

Steve
Author:  bluescreek [ Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Trans-Atlantic Guitar Swap
You guys both did good. Nice instruments
john hall
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Trans-Atlantic Guitar Swap
I have to add, that this represents only Sam's 3rd scratch build...and to pull off a fairly sophisticated bracing scheme as well as the adjustability feature and CF buttressing is remarkable to me. And here's the real kicker...the only power equipment she used was a hand drill for the tuner holes and router for the TR and CF reinforcing rods. So the plates were all hand thicknessed with planes and sanding blocks and the binding channels were marked with a Gramil and cut out with chisels! And to look at the workmanship, one would just assume that a Williams binding jig was used with a high-speed router and completed in 10 minutes...amazing. And let's not forget the fact that Sam has 3 young children and a husband to keep in line...distractions that would test the patience of the best builders among us! beehive

My friends all know that part of the mystique of building for me has been to name each guitar and always refer to it by the name given before the first side is bent. I was happy that Sam also likes this tradition as well...to me it personalizes the relationship to the guitar and acknowledges the bond that I always feel during it's birthing process. Siorai plays and sounds just like I imagined it would...Sam nailed the preferred nut, string spacing and neck dimensions and my hand fell into a comfortable playing position like it was a familiar friend. The sound is full and balanced with the sparkly trebles as I had requested and has just a hint of a Welsh accent! :mrgreen: The guitar's size, volume and shape approximate that of an SJ but that's were the similarity ends. The 16 fret neck was a surprise to me when we were discussing the design so I'll let Sam describe its rationale. I do believe that because of it, the bridge becomes positioned closer to the soundhole and creates dynamics different from a 14 or 12 fret neck. The scale length is 25.5" and intonation is bang on center for each string...a testament to Sam's knowledge and necessary attention to detail. The action is low and fast with NO buzzing anywhere.

So that's my take on Siorai...she is a player's guitar with sound and playability having been nailed in my opinion. For Sam to have achieved this on only her 3rd guitar is remarkable. I believe it's the kind of guitar that Rick Turner and Mario would really enjoy evaluating...and my bet would be that they both would also give a thumb's up to the results. [:Y:]
Author:  SteveCourtright [ Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Trans-Atlantic Guitar Swap
Now how cool is that?!? Kudos to both of you for such a wonderful and inspiring project. And what lovely instruments. I'm very impressed with the spirit of this whole idea. Well done.
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Trans-Atlantic Guitar Swap
What a great idea, and beautiful work on both of your parts. I look forward to hearing clips of both guitars. [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap]

All my guitars will be named "Fred" while under construction, then they'll get a number, and release the name! :D
Author:  LuthierSupplier [ Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Trans-Atlantic Guitar Swap
JJ & Sam,
That is so cool! This looks like it would be a great article for ASIA or GAL. Congrats to both of you!
Author:  Burton LeGeyt [ Mon Apr 06, 2009 11:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Trans-Atlantic Guitar Swap
What a great thing! Both guitars look great. JJ, I am digging your headstock and Sam, the artwork on your headstock is great too.
Author:  Bobc [ Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Trans-Atlantic Guitar Swap
Wow. Beautiful guitars. Sam that's only #3? Fantastic job. Love the bridge and inlays.
JJ that sapele looks fantastic under Joe White's finish. Kudos to both of you.
Author:  Jim_H [ Tue Apr 07, 2009 11:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Trans-Atlantic Guitar Swap
That's the coolest thing I've seen in a long time! Great idea! And both guitars look amazing! Congratz!
Author:  SimonF [ Wed Apr 08, 2009 1:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Trans-Atlantic Guitar Swap
What a fantastic idea!!! I'd love to do that someday. I wonder if Traugott would be up for it :)
Author:  James Orr [ Wed Apr 08, 2009 2:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Trans-Atlantic Guitar Swap
This is what music is all about.
Author:  Anthony Z [ Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Trans-Atlantic Guitar Swap
Congratulations to the both of you! [clap] [clap]

Sam, that is certainly a very unique and wonderful looking and named guitar. "Siorai", what a clever name as I believe it is Gaelic for “eternal”. That in of itself makes it a gift to treasure. Taken literally, JJ you’ve now got a guitar with an infinite warranty. Impressive that it was built without the aid of all the “big boy” toys most of us rely upon. Sam, more impressive that it is only your third...wow

I am a big fan of Celtic art and love the headstock and 12th fret marker...beautifully executed. Sam you should be very proud.

JJ, the SJ looks fantastic. That Sapele sure pops nicely under finish and the appointments make for understated elegance. I am glad to hear that the guitar has an “Irish” sound by comparison to a Lowden....with that said I am sure Lowden would be offended if the guitar was described to sound in the “British” tradition.... beehive

I hope you both enjoy and play your new treasures often.
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Wed Apr 08, 2009 10:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Trans-Atlantic Guitar Swap
JJ, Sam, like Uncle Bob said, kudos to you both!
Great work, and no doubt lots of fun.
And it's the gift that keeps on giving, right?
I swapped guitars with John Calkin a few years back, and am reliving the pleasant experience through this post.
John said that "it makes for an emotionally-charged bench life" when building for a fellow luthier. I bet you agree.

Nicely done guys!

Steve
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Wed Apr 08, 2009 11:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Trans-Atlantic Guitar Swap
Thanks for the kind words, gentlemen. It was a great experience particularly in light of the fact that Sam is the most accomplished musician I have ever built for. She has some very high tonal and playability standards and I really paid extra attention to making certain that she'd be satisfied with the results. All I can say is that the customer on this side of the Atlantic is happy with his new guitar.

We're both planning to record sound clips for each guitar since neither of us could play our own "wrong-handed" guitars before shipping...kinda like being a surrogate mother and having to give up the baby before having a chance to bond.
Author:  Alain Desforges [ Wed Apr 08, 2009 11:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Trans-Atlantic Guitar Swap
Wow! That's really awesome! I'm jealous now...
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