Official Luthiers Forum!

Guys if John Arnold, and James Condino show up its worth the drive.

It's not the drive that I'm concerned with. I've just got other commitments.

maybe I need to come up with a good excuse to have to go to Sparta. Then just slip on up to Ktown while I'm that direction.

I talked to The Dude. He is planning to come.

Cool, whats the Dude bringing?

Not sure. Ill see if he wants to bring something if any are finished. He has been working on a OM-42 that might be done and I think he still has a D-18 on consignment (I played it, sweet guitar).

It's pretty cool that we have some of the best luthiers in the world right here in East TN!

Today's the day! Hope to meet a bunch of OLF members today at our first East TN Luthiers gathering. Hope to post a few pics of the event later.
As we use to say back in the 60's, "I'm Stoked!"

Looking forward to seeing everyone too! However, this is actually the second gathering

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Be sure to take pics for those who can't
Make it ( me )

Maybe next time!

It was a great time!

There are a lot of good instrument makers in East Tennessee (and great people too)! I expected to see a good turnout and some great instruments, but frankly I wasn't prepared for what a good turnout and what great instruments there were. I finally got to meet a lot of folks who I only knew "virtually" before, and catch up with other folks who I haven't seen in a long time. There were a lot of very nice instruments on hand too. Everything from great flattops to innovative electrics to cool cigarbox to blarges were on hand. Even a lowly banjo for a bit of comic relief.

Anyway, I didn't have a camera with me but plenty of folks did and hopefully they'll chime in. Thanks again to Paul for putting this together and to the folks at Woodcraft for putting up with a big bunch of luthier types!

Dave

Thanks for the update. Sounds like it was a great meeting. I definitely will have to try to make the next one.

Great get together this afternoon at Woodcraft down in Knoxville, Hats off to Paul for organizing this event.
What surprised me was the only familiar face from the previous meeting was Steve Smith, must be 35/40 folks that build around Knoxville.
Good to meet Dave Ball, Lynn Dudenbostel, Gil Draper, the Whites (father and son) and a bunch that I cannot remember the names of. Also was kind of surprised at the response to my first guitar (good), I was ready to hang my head and scuff my toe, almost everyone handled and played it, quite a difference in how one sounds from five feet away versus your lap:)
Only pics I took were of Gil Draper's 1932 Sunburst 14 fret O-18. Need to make some sawdust next get together.

I want to thank everyone who made it to our little gathering today. When I started putting it together I had my fingers crossed and was hoping for a good turnout. It was more than I could wish for. A total of 28 signed in. I enjoyed meeting the OLF members I had not previously met, as well as some of the TDPRI members who also attended.
The talent and great variety of instruments were overwhelming for me. There was a good mix of Acoustic & Electric guitars as well as some mandos, a banjo and killer arch top Uke, cigar box guitars and a Bozouka (is that close Gil?).
I am looking forward to the next meet on 3/10, same time & place. Hope to have a speaker lined up for that one.
If anyone has any suggestions on how to improve what we are doing let me know. I will be sending out emails to all who attended with some ideas that were discussed today.
Thanks again everyone.
Paul

It was a great time, thanks for putting it together Paul. It was great to meet everyone and check out the cool guitars, mandos, cigar box, and others.

Was that Martin 0-18 a '32 or '37? The neck on that just felt great. I would like to get a set of templates for that neck if anyone knows how I can get a set, I'd like to use it on an O-16 that is ready for the neck carve.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Wow I was amazed at how many people showed up. I was thinking maybe 10 but turned out to be 28 people!

Paul - it's called a bouzouki...and it would be wise not to confuse it with bazooka when checking in at the airport! .

Steve - You are welcome to come by and check out the 0-18 any time. It's from 1932. I don't know how to make a template of a neck but would like to hear some ideas.

It was a great time fellas. Hope to see some pics up here soon!

Gil - thanks, might want to try that but in the meantime I'd really appreciate it if you could tell me the width at the nut, and overall string spacing at the bridge.

Edit: from what I can find the width at the nut should be 1.750".

I went to Tracy at Luthier Supplier and found a template set for a 1892 Martin 0-21 that is supposed to have a strong V and the nut is 1.86" or so. I should be able to use that template as a good starting point. I ordered that this morning. Maybe I can have that size 0 done for our next meeting (or maybe the one after).

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Sorry I couldn't make it. Making plans for 3/10 though.

There are some pics posted over on TDPRI and the Woodcraft-Knoxville Facebook page. How do you post pics here? Same as TDPRI. I have more to put up.

Paul

Just a quick reminder that our next meeting will be Sunday, March 10, 2013 @ 2:00PM at the Woodcraft store. I received confirmation today that we will have a guest speaker from Mohawk-Behlens Finishing Products. He will try to answer our questions about finishing concerns or problems that we are having and will also discuss Luthier specific products available from Behlens. He has also provided me with a very informative DVD on finishing with the Behlens products. The DVD will be available for viewing in our library.
I look forward to seeing everyone I met at the February meeting again, and to welcoming new members at this meeting. If you know someone who is interested in joining our little group bring them along.

Looking forward to it

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Greeting Everyone,

Just a short reminder that tomorrow, 3/10/2013 @ 2:00PM is the second meeting of the East TN Luthier Guild at the Woodcraft store, 8023 Kingston Pike, Knoxville TN. Please be there if you can. Dean, from Mohawk/Behlens, will be there to discuss their line of finishing products as well as answer questions about guitar finishing.

Hope to see everyone from last month as well as some new faces.

Paul

Crap, I gotta work I'll have to catch you guys in April.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I am coming with Nathan Hampton.
I am open to suggestions on what to bring for trade or sale....particularly if it was part of a tree.
PM me here or shoot me an email:
arnoldgtr AT hotmail.com

It will be great to meet more of the local luthiers.

_________________
John

Gonna blow off work for a few hours and head up to the luthier meeting

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Had a very interesting afternoon, 2nd meeting of the East Tennessee Luthiers Guild, (third if you count the initial get together at our own Steve Smith's) Good to see Steve again.
Had a factory rep from Behlen/Mohawk finishing. Lot of good information from a professional. Plus John Arnold & Lynn Dudenbostel two of the very best. Lynn said he had to ship an OM-42 Monday someone got lucky.
John Arnold was kind enough to bring a tracing of his Nick Lucas. No excuses now:) Thanks to Paul Rigney and Wood Craft Knoxville