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Just a little curious here... How many builds did it take before you finally made a guitar that you were absolutely pleased with?

I got real lucky with my 3rd build. but it was not till my 15th or so that things stated to be consistantly pleasing. that said what I expect and strive for has changed over time as well as the quaility of my work.

Well, I'm up around #15 somewhere and I'm sure not there yet.....
This may be more a characteristic of the kind of people involved in instrument building, though.
I think that, as a group, we may tend to be on the 'picky' or 'particular' side???
Or, as our less-kind acquaintances may put it, 'peculiar' ??

Cheers
John

Sondre my friend being absolutely pleased seems to be a moving target.... I have been absolutely pleased with how some of my guitars came out but then when building the next one and having the benefit of what I learned from the last guitar the next one is usually better and takes something away from how pleased I was with past guitars.

Guitar building really is one of those you don't know what you don't know things and improvement awaits - always.....

Good question!

I was really happy with my first. Not saying there weren't some things about it that I might change, but I was really pleased, and I still play it a good bit, along with a couple of my other builds. When I show my work to someone, I show it proudly! The one I was least pleased with, and it was purely cosmetic, was #3. My binding on that one was really uneven when I was done. I have since discovered where I went wrong on that one though, and have corrected the problem. 2 & 3 both sounded bigger off the solera, but #1 has improved incredibly over the last two years of playing. I made the most building mistakes on #2, though, and had lots of re-do's on that one. I hope to be stringing up #4 by the end of this week.

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Waddy

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Sound Clips of most of my guitars

After 8 guitars, I'm not there yet. Still need a few more tools to help me get there plus alot more practice.....

As others have said, it's a moving target.....

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I was pleased with the sound of the first one, but had some problems with mistakes in craftmamship somewhat in which has improved alot since.

Absolutely pleased with? That first word is tough. Having only completed 19, I'm a long way off (but seriously addicted to the journey).....consistently improving craftsmanship is a long term journey in this endeavor....so, to answer your question......none or not yet....sorta what keeps me going forward.

Higher expectations after each build lead to this conclusion.....

Not yet close.........
Although getting closer. What's a bit surprising to me is how much I like my second. (I've started, seven, and am about to complete #5.) I just got lucky, I guess. #s 3 and 4 have some serious neck set issues.

Man it's fun, isn't it. My goal is to have a repeatable, consistent process, by #10, with a clear idea of what I'm trying to achieve, and how to get there. Yeah, I know I'll still drop the chisel on the top from time to time, and glue the purfling on backwards, but my goal is to get to the point where I'm not so clueless about some of these processes.

Not really a highjack, but I never cease to be amazed at what looks so much harder than it is (bending, for example), and what steps are so much harder than they look (drilling 6 holes on a bridge in a straight line, for example). I guess a template would help.

I was happy with my first, but I started over twice (till I got it right). Some quirk in my personality. I sanded the finish off 4 times! OCD as a diagnosis prolly does not come close. Is it perfect? No! Does it sound good? Yes! I never posted pics of it, but I will now that ur post reminded me.

Btw, it's because of the good folks here that I was able to overcome many of my inadequacies.

I am on # 54 and am have not been "totally" happy with any of them-When I am, I will quit building!

I'm on number 14 and I'm seeing progress but not absolutely pleased.
To be truefull if I do reach the "absolutely pleased" point I'll probably move on to a new hobby.

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I was pleased with my 1st and still play it all the time, there are some issues on it that were improved on with the next builds as my skills advanced. Every build seems to have something that I am not overly happy with, and each gets better. I was lucky as finishing was not an issue for me as I already had these skills. Even the 1st looks real good though my buffing skills have improved with better equipment. I don't think I will ever be totally satisfied with my work and I hope that day never comes as I would probably loose the drive to build guitars.

Fred

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Fred Tellier
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I was happy with my first from a sound and playability perspective but I didn't get a good finish until #3. I'm working on #18 now and each one has been an education. I realize now how much I don't know, but I'm much more comfortable with each step in the process now. I think I learned the most from a guitar that I didn't build, but was built by my one and only "student" this past summer. You really do learn a lot from teaching.

Chuck

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Its Possible To Get to That Point ????? I suspect that is a level I may never see

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Is that possible?

I'm not a luthier yet....and may never be classified as one....but I always attempt perfection and ALWAYS have something that comes up a bit short of original expectation, no matter how nice it looks to someone else. There is nothing perfect in working with wood...it won't allow it.
Attempt perfection each time. That's about as good as it gets.

You also know what others don't see.....That makes something apear perfect, when you know it's not.

Kent

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I was very happy with my third. Everything seemed to work perfectly during
the build, I can't remember any real problems. It was also georgeous curly
narra from BobC. Unfortunately, the success with that one didn't stick. I've
had various problems with the next 5, and haven't been as satisfied. Maybe
it's like Hesh said, the more I learn, the more I notice errors. Even more
unfortunately, that's the first (and only so far) guitar I sold- to a semi-pro
singer/player neighbor. I'm still working to get a guitar I'm as satisfied with.

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Gene

Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason- Mark Twain

One. Not that it's flawless, but the first guitar is special. The moment when the strings were on, the first few notes were played, and it dawned on me that I actually just made a guitar myself was ... beyond words ... but I'm sure you all know what I mean.

Other than that... I still have to make a guitar that I'd happily put my name on and sell to someone else.

Christian

Pretty much the same for me. I might not be so impressed today by the first one that I was absolutely pleased with at the time.

I'm building the 35th right now and I still feel I'm getting sharper and sharper doing my thang. But there always seem to be that little thing I want to imporve on the next one...

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

It is like this, the more you build the more faults you find in your previous work. If it is not like that, then it is time to build your preverbal lutherie coffin because this would be a sure sign your creative drive has died

The only perfect guitar is the one you haven't yet started. As soon as you select wood and start using tools, it becomes a collection of flaws and errors. The trick is to keep perfection as your goal and constantly strive to do better, whether it's your first or hundredth (or five hundredth!).

Thanks for the replies everyone! Very interesting. I just finished my first acoustic, and I guess I am pleased in the sense that it came out pretty much as I had expected (my expectations were pretty low ). Now I can't wait to start the next one which I am sure will look much better. I think I am addicted already..

Great advise !

There is NO perfect guitar!
Or maker!
Just keep making them because it makes you smile(most of the time)
Addiction works on us in different ways.
"The love of doing something that creates a musical instrument is special"
Mc

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Mike Collins

There are no absolutes; including the one I just gave you.

Hugh

Being pleased with a guitar or aspects of it is not the same as a making a perfect one IMHO. I am not sure there is such a thing as a guitar that perfect in all aspects and uses. I do not expect perfection but I do expect to get better with the various elements of the build. For example, I am on instrument #20 and the seventh armrest bevel. They are getting better looking and after a few more I expect some consistency in a positive direction. I am only on my third Florentine cutaway and these have a long way to go. They look OK but they are a struggle. Sound wise, I have been pleased with most of the guitars but I think I can get and expect better results.

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GEO
perpetual beginner