Official Luthiers Forum!

Well, here's what I've been doing for the past 8 months.

Almost twin OM cutaways made from EIR (opportunity grade) with German spruce tops from uncle Bob, curly maple binding. This was my first attempt at a cutaway but I'm pleased with them. They also both have a K&K pure western mini (thanks Bruce). Just strung them up today and they sound sweet. They sound great thru the amp, too. These are graduation presents for two of my former students.

The dread is claro walnut (bought in one of the swap meets, but I can't remember who it came from). Top is very bearclaw sitka from Steve at Colonial. Binding here is also curly maple. This is a gift to my brother in law.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

They look great Ron! Clapton's guitar book musta inspired you!

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

Those look nice Ron! I also like the owl on the headplate.Great Job.

Beautiful work Ron ! The bearclaw top is really stunning. Did you build all three simultaneously and if so, did you like it better than one at a time?

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Peter

I love the back in the second photo. What great figure.

All three look great Ron. Your attention to detail shows in the dred. The grain is a perfect match. That’s very generous of you to give them away. But that seems to be the way you are, God bless ya. Round here we’d call ya a “good ol boy”

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Say what you do, Do what you say.

Way to go Ron.... Beauty, Beauty, and more Beauty

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Great looking work Ron! All three are beauties!

Chuck

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Great work, Ron. Do the two OMs sound the same?

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Ken Franklin
clumsy yet persistent
https://www.kenfranklinukulele.com

WOW. Beautiful .

Thanks much, guys. It was nice to learn that I could do a cutaway if I had to. The other thing that bothered me with the OMs was clamping the bridge without damaging the pickup. I made a special caul with cutouts for each of the three sensors and it all worked out well.

Peter, building three at a time has advantages and disadvantages. It's really nice to be able to machine multiple things without having to redo set-ups. No CNC anywhere, all bridges, necks, everything is scratch built. The last time I made bridges, I made 10 at a time. Three necks can be roughed out about as fast as one, etc. Where multiple builds is a pain is in things like sanding. You really appreciate how much sanding is involved with three at a time. Another big advantage is there is much less "down time" waiting for glue to dry.

Ken, I really couldn't tell any difference in the quality of sound from the OMs. One did seem slightly louder than the other. But, I just put the strings on them today so it will be awhile before I can tell. My ears aren't really that good anyway.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Thanks, Lars.

I didn't mention this but the dread also has a cherry neck. It's the first non-mahogany neck I've carved and I really love the way it feels. I will use it again.


Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Ron, I just spotted these, they are truly wonderful instruments, and to give them away is an act of typical Old Man generocity. You are not only a very accomplished luthier (I've awarded you the honorarium) but one of nature's good guys, one that I'm proud to call a friend.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Wow,
Nice work Ron. Really like the bearclaw on the D.
Link

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Cut to size.....Beat to fit.....Paint to match.

Wow! I suppose it's true what they say: the best things in life come in threes. Keep up the good work!

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Jake

~Make a joyful noise unto the Lord~

Very nice Ron!!!

I would love to hear them. What kind of finish fo you use? Do you hand cut your owl inlays?.......they look very nice.

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

Thanks again, all.

Colin, you're too much the gentleman, thank you my friend. It is certainly good to see any post from you.

Darryl, the finish is tru-oil. I haven't mastered it yet but I am improving with each guitar. I've cut a few inlays in the past but I'm not accomplished enough, yet, to do the owls. You can't tell a lot from the photo, but the owl is made from white, black, and gold MOP, and the branch he's standing on is red abalone, then it has a lot of etching. My owls are made by Andy Depaul.


Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

I'm late to the party, but OUTSTANDING, Ron. Stellar craftsmanship in those instruments.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Wow Ron!! Those are some gorgeous beauties. Sure would love to get my hands on them and hear em sing!! Makes me happy to see such art. Bravo

There's a party, okay!

Hey Ron, we celebrate your productivity.

Nice looking axes man, those are super, walnut is stunning.

Cherry, hmmm maybe I better get out there and grab those two logs at my sisters?

Congrats! three thumbs up



Where'd you get that nice pickguard?

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Thanks Waddy, Randolph, and Bruce.

Bruce the pickguard is a tor-tis from lmi or first quality. Too expensive for my taste (especially on a give-away) but I couldn't find that size and shape in a cheap plastic. If you know of such let me know.

BTW, BRUCE, those two cutaways received your K&K minis. (and they both work great).

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......