Official Luthiers Forum!

I recently sent my first bevel guitar off to Joe White. I took a few pictures beforehand. Here are a couple pictures as well as a link to a page on my site that has quite a few more images of the guitar. I also had a chance to talk with Kevin Ryan because I wanted to ask permission for using his design. I've got to say that he is one incredible nice and generous human being!!! My bevel design is a slight departure from his and a little less bold - nevertheless, I have made a specific point to credit him and Grit Lasking for the innovation. I was quite happy with how it turned out.

I was very surprised at how much more comfortable it makes the guitar. I honestly was thinking that there was a fair bit of marketing hype behind their appeal but now I understand that it is really the ergonomic benefit that is driving the demand for them. They are surprisingly comfy -- I just wish they were a bit easier to do

http://www.fayguitars.com/guitars/sale/sale.html

great looking guitar all around. Really like the bevel, but I'm also a big fan of the general body shape and your cutaway. Looking forward to seeing it after putting a finish on it.

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Mark Burton

Hook 'em Horns

Great looking guitar! Would love to see more info on your bevel.

Great looking guitar! Would love to see more info on your bevel.

Thanks for the encouraging comments Mark B. !!! -- I will try and remember to post some pictures once I get it all put together.

Mark M. -- I have two helpful tips. The first one is don't attempt the bevel until you know you can get thru it without help. I came up with my own process that works well for my skills and the tools I have on hand and it is noticeably different than any of the methods I found online -- none of which really clicked for my style of building. Others might find another way much easier and there are bunch of ways that it could be done effectively but I definitely feel this is one of those things that requires a skill level where one should be able to come up with their own solution

You are more than welcome to give me a call if you want specifics on how I approached a solution.

The second tip would be to use Ebony bindings and an Ebony bevel - that will give you a safety net in case it doesn't quite pull off perfectly -- then you can always strategically tint the finish black to cover up any mistakes.


Kind Regards,
Simon

Looks good Simon!

I just finished my first one too not long ago and I sweated it pretty hard until it was finally done. I spent a bunch of time drawing out the shape of it so the assymetrical top would look "right". I think yours looks great. I like your new body shape too, the cutaway and bevel look very nice with it.

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Burton
http://www.legeytinstruments.com
Brookline, MA.

Congratulations Simon on pulling that off. I know that is one of the hardest things to do on a build.
Well done!

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Looks sharp. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Sweet.
Got to make one of those.
Thanks for sharing.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Thanks guys!!! This particular guitar gave me a sense of satisfaction that I hadn't felt in a while. If anyone is approaching a bevel and gets stuck and/or needs help and direction -- please feel free to contact me 386.690.2567. I make heavy use of a Schneider Gramil, chisel, and sanding block in my method.

Blessings,
Simon

Simon,

A gorgeous guitar

I like everything I can see about it. Besides the bevel, the shape and cutaway are lovely,
and its beautiful wood. Great all around...

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Gene

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

Good to see one of your guitars Simon. It looks gorgeous, and the cutaway looks even better.

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Laurent Brondel
West Paris, Maine - USA
http://www.laurentbrondel.com/

Great looking guitar Simon! I love the shape of the cutaway and the overall shape of the upper and lower bouts. The armrest looks awesome and you are right, they feel so comfortable.
Be sure to share some pics when the finish is done and she's strung up!

Rick

Awesome...when are you getting this back? I'll schedule a trip down to see you. I can tell you've got an extra notch of excitement on your ladder with this one. Good for you!

Chris

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There is no difference between the man that thinks he can....and the man that thinks he cannot.

Simon - Beautiful Guitar!! The taper/armrest looks really nice. I would love to play it and see how it feels. And the Coco looks great in every way, seems to really match the binding/headplate/rosette that you chose. I also really like the multi-layer backplate on the headstock.

Not sure if it is possible, but do you have any pictures of the inside of the armrest that you would be willing to share? Also, I also haven't put any logo inlay in my headstock, but I have my own personal reasons - would you share your thoughts on this?

Thanks and that is a wonderful guitar that looks inviting.

Very clean & simple look, just the sort of guitar I like. I have seen some bevels which look quite brash and over the top, but that is .

Looks very good in the white. I too would like to see your approach in a toot.

Good work & thanks for posting.

Danny R. Little

First of all, thanks everyone for the kind words!!! It is always nice to get a "pat on the back" -- not too often tho' or it would go to our heads

Justink,
I prefer the look of a no logo headstock - at least on the "snakehead" style headstocks. I think logos make more sense on headstocks like Martin, Taylor, Olson, Ryan, etc.... For whatever reason, I just think this style of headstock lends to a clean, modern look and I think a logo would just get in the way and detract from the overall look. But it is purely a cosmetic decision.


I didn't take any photos of how I did the bevel. I will try and remember the next time I do one.

Kind Regards,
Simon