Official Luthiers Forum!

Here's some pics of guitar #1!








I posted a link to a video a while ago with a list of woods, but here they are again:

top-red cedar
back and sides-yellow cedar
neck-khaya (?) with carbon fiber reinforcement
fretboard-ebony
bindings and brige-padauk
The finish is French polish/spirit varnish.

She's been strung up for about a month now and apart from mellowing in sound a bit I'm still really pleased. Very easily heard over dancers and great for accompanying cante.
I can't express how much the generosity of more experienced builders helps those of us starting out. Many thanks to everyone here again for advice along the way!

Jake.

Sweet~!

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

I think it's sweet, too.

nice looking guitar Jake....

Good looking guitar, Jake! Nice clean work. It's good to see another flamenco enthusiast on the forum.

Best wishes,
Max

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Max Bishop
Brighton, Michigan

Really nice work!!

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http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

What is the rosette? It looks really cool.

Thanks all! I think she's pretty sweet too.

Stephen, yep I'm a big fan of flamenco too! Sort of semi-pro playing locally. I really enjoyed your build log about the Casa Ferrer-inspired guitar. Granada-style guitars are some of my favourites. I built the blanca in the Spanish style as well but with a solid mold that fit onto the soleara. Mostly hide glue throughout as well.

Jfmckenna, glad you like the rosette! It's yellow cedar from the back offcuts with the borders in black fiber veneer from LMI. I like the strong visual border the rosette has but I'm not likely to use the fiber stuff again. It planes and scrapes nicely, but is a PIA to cut into strips. Like cutting thick rawhide.

Can you guys tell that this is the guitar I posted the "Headstock Woes" about a while back?

Jake.

Very nice! I think it is sweet as well.

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http://www.booneguitars.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Boone-guitar-builder/488208541257210

Muy bien!

And a cedar top too!

I love flamenco and I'm getting ready to close the box on my first guitar based on the Barbero GAL plan. (previous flamencos have been Reyes-style). Where are you located? I can find precious little opportunity for feedback around here (Delaware). Hopefully my ongoing one will be ready to go with me to Spain at the beginning of May, for some real feedback.

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Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

I had two windows open on my desktop when posting my last reply. I got names and details mixed up because I was reading two threads at once.

MaxBishop, thanks for your kind words. I meant to address my comments about flamenco to you but was reading Stephen's build log and there was some obvious crossed wires on my end. Sorry.

Jim (I double-checked the names and have only one window open this time ), I'm located in Victoria, BC, Canada. I used the Blackshear Reyes plan for this one and the design certainly works. I can see why Reyes guitars are so desireable among pro players especially when looking for the more earthy Andalusian flamenco tone. I remember reading somewhere that Juan Miguel Gonzalez of Almeria believes cedar and cypress to be one of the best combos for flamenco guitars.

If you're taking the guitar to Spain, bring it to Granada. So many luthiers and players in that town! Also check to see if there are any dance studios in your part of Delaware that have guitarists playing for them. Accompanying a room full of dancers pounding away is tough on the fingers. That coupled with how well the guitar can be heard is a good test.

Jake.

Jake,

I'd have to hand it to someone else at the dance studio, as I can't play worth a hoot! There is a very active dance teacher in Philly, but I've never checked out that scene - there doesn't appear to be much of an associated performance scene in bars/restaurants.

I am indeed going to Granada, for two months, and know several luthiers there from my sabbatical in 2010, when we lived in Realejo for 6 months, just downhill from the Alhambra. I miss the place still.

Jim

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Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

Jake;
Very nice !
I especially like the head design.

Thr Reyes plan is very good.

Try the 51 Barbero from Brune'
next time.
Available from www.luth.org
It's a killer design !

Keep making "Flamencos" (Flammers)

Mike Collins

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Mike Collins