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Robbie_McD
 Post subject: #20 Complete!
PostPosted: Sun Jul 14, 2013 3:49 pm 
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Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:34 pm
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First name: Rob
Last Name: McDougall
City: Cochrane
State: Alberta
It seems like yesterday I posted my first build here after being inspired by such skilled folks that post here.
This one has a few new features for me:
- first build with Peruvian Walnut
- first sound port
- first build with a pickup.
Here are the some specs:
Peruvian Walnut B&S, Lutz top, Hog neck, Ebony Fingerboard, EVO frets, EIR binding, LR Baggs "Lyric" pickup (microphone, actually)
The top and back were tuned with Mr. Gores method, with a live back.
Top braces are roughly per Mr. Gores take on the J45 - I have built a few like this - simple, effective.
I just strung it up today and it sounds pretty good already if not a little tight - the top should open up a bit.
Thanks everyone for your continued inspiration!
Image

Also, props to Andy Birko who fashioned a few bridges out of some blanks I had handy.
This was my first build using one of them and really like the execution and design.
Also, check out the silking on that Lutz top (thanks Shane!)
Image


Last edited by Robbie_McD on Tue Jul 16, 2013 8:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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cphanna
 Post subject: Re: #20 Complete!
PostPosted: Sun Jul 14, 2013 7:30 pm 
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Koa
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Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2008 10:08 pm
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Location: Missouri
First name: Patrick
Last Name: Hanna
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Country: USA
Robbie, I'll be among the first to congratulate you. Looking at your photos, we obviously see a pinned steel string guitar. And yet, the overall visual design of the instrument seems very much like a classical. (At least to my eyes, it does). I think this is a wonderful looking instrument. No superficial bling. Just beautiful elegance to my eyes.

Patrick
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Robbie_McD
 Post subject: Re: #20 Complete!
PostPosted: Sun Jul 14, 2013 8:57 pm 
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First name: Rob
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City: Cochrane
State: Alberta
Thanks Patrick, and good eye!
My first foray into steel strings started by using the Hauser profile on a 12-fretter, as the dimensions seemed similar enough to the L-00. (and I already had the molds from my Hauser build....)
Since then I have just been tweaking the profile a bit as I go along.
Rob
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Dave Livermore
 Post subject: Re: #20 Complete!
PostPosted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 12:45 am 
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Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2007 1:27 pm
Posts: 716
Location: United States
First name: Dave
Last Name: Livermore
State: Minnesota
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
Very nice indeed.

The top appears to have some silking or figure. I like that.


How would you describe the walnut in terms of tone and workability?
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Robbie_McD
 Post subject: Re: #20 Complete!
PostPosted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 7:50 am 
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First name: Rob
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Hi Dave,
The walnut was relatively easy to work with - it bent fine in the fox bender.
The wood itself is a bit soft and splintery compared with EIR so one has to be a bit careful.
It finished up very nicely with a deep chocolate colour.
Tonewise it compares nicely with a similar Bubinga/Lutz build on the bass end, treble not quite as bright, but I think the top will open up a bit over time.

Rob
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Stephen Boone
 Post subject: Re: #20 Complete!
PostPosted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 10:43 am 
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Congratulations! The guitar looks great!

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Robbie_McD
 Post subject: Re: #20 Complete!
PostPosted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 8:59 pm 
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First name: Rob
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Many thanks Mr. Boone, I can only aspire to your high standard.

Rob
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George L
 Post subject: Re: #20 Complete!
PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 9:44 am 
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First name: George
City: Seattle
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Status: Amateur
Well done, Rob! Lovely work and a proud achievement. I like it!

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DannyV
 Post subject: Re: #20 Complete!
PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 12:17 pm 
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Nice Robbie! I really like the small sound port. Looks very cool. Congrats!

Cheers,
Danny
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Tom West
 Post subject: Re: #20 Complete!
PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 12:53 pm 
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First name: Tom
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Danny: What you asking Oscar............??
Tom

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Tom West
 Post subject: Re: #20 Complete!
PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 3:47 pm 
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Robbie: Lovely guitar...........!! Congrats..!!! Sorry about the hi-jack....................something made me do it..!!
Tom

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Beth Mayer
 Post subject: Re: #20 Complete!
PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 4:10 pm 
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Robbie_McD wrote:
Thanks Patrick, and good eye!
My first foray into steel strings started by using the Hauser profile on a 12-fretter, as the dimensions seemed similar enough to the L-00. (and I already had the molds from my Hauser build....)
Since then I have just been tweaking the profile a bit as I go along.
Rob


Beautiful work, Robbie!!! Love the entire aesthetic. I had recently planned to do just this...using my Hauser profile and mold, with which I have yet to build a classical - to give that shape to a steel string. Love it!
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Nick Royle
 Post subject: Re: #20 Complete!
PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 4:17 pm 
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Great idea, great guitar! Beautiful.
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Robbie_McD
 Post subject: Re: #20 Complete!
PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 8:17 pm 
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First name: Rob
Last Name: McDougall
City: Cochrane
State: Alberta
Thanks all for your kind words, I am truly humbled.
After a couple of days, sure enough the treble brightened up and it sounds a champ!
For those not familiar with Peruvian Walnut, here is a shot of the back.
It is quite porous - I filled it with the LMI dark micro-beads and it really made the grain stand out:
Image
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DannyV
 Post subject: Re: #20 Complete!
PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 8:32 pm 
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First name: Danny
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Tom West wrote:
Danny: What you asking Oscar............??
Tom

Just thanking him for all the great music he gave us. I never had the chance when he was alive. :lol:
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naccoachbob
 Post subject: Re: #20 Complete!
PostPosted: Fri Jul 19, 2013 8:59 pm 
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Location: Nacogdoches, Tx
First name: Bob
Last Name: Moore
City: Nacogdoches
State: Tx
Zip/Postal Code: 75965
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Robbie, it is a truly nice looking guitar.
How did you find the EVO frets to work with? I've got some gold EVO to be using on my current project.
Thanks for showing us your work.
Bob

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Robbie_McD
 Post subject: Re: #20 Complete!
PostPosted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 10:54 am 
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First name: Rob
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Hello Bob,
Thank you for your kind comments.
I have been using EVO gold for all of my builds since about #2 - I find it as easy to work with as nickel-silver, and polishes up nicely!
Rob
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Ken C
 Post subject: Re: #20 Complete!
PostPosted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 7:11 pm 
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First name: Kenneth
Last Name: Casper
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Focus: Build
Looking really nice, Rob!

Ken

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Robbie_McD
 Post subject: Re: #20 Complete!
PostPosted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 9:45 pm 
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Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:34 pm
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First name: Rob
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State: Alberta
Beth Mayer wrote:
Robbie_McD wrote:
Thanks Patrick, and good eye!
My first foray into steel strings started by using the Hauser profile on a 12-fretter, as the dimensions seemed similar enough to the L-00. (and I already had the molds from my Hauser build....)
Since then I have just been tweaking the profile a bit as I go along.
Rob


Beautiful work, Robbie!!! Love the entire aesthetic. I had recently planned to do just this...using my Hauser profile and mold, with which I have yet to build a classical - to give that shape to a steel string. Love it!

Thank for your kind comments Beth!
I was interested in how far my current "standard" profile is from the Hauser (minor tweaks over 4 years) , and I was surprised to see that it really only extends the the lower bout lengthwise about 20mm to create a more bell shaped lower bout versus the flat-bottomed Hauser.

Rob
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