Official Luthiers Forum!

In order to keep the love flowing , I've also put up a new updated web site. Something I'd been meaning to do for a long time. but just finished it.
I was trying for a simple, clean look. Maybe that's not what a web site should be, I don't know I'm no web designer.
I'll probably add another page "shop notes" which I'll use as a blog kind of thing.
Comments good or bad are welcome
The LAC page hasn't changed, just http://www.jameswattsguitars.com
Thanks,

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Very nice site, Jim! Engaging, attractive, easy to navigate. Personally, I would prefer seeing the shop photos in color, and bigger images in the gallery. But that's just me.

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Thanks Pat.
I've been doing hand made books along with the instruments for the owners, those pictures except for the completed instrument have been in B&W, so I have an abundance of B&W images. Color ones may indeed be better for the web.
I certainly could make it so you can enlarge the images, good point. (it'll be a little while before that happens though)
Good points and thanks once again.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Overall, it is an OK site. Not overwhelming, mind you, but OK. I would change the first sentence in your home page and get rid of one of the "beautiful"s. Two in one sentence is too much beauty. I would also take out the phrase, "and I hope you will visit the rest of the site." They will or they won't, and if you give them the option of leaving, they will. You need something to draw people in, not give them an opt-out. All of this is just my opinion, and I'm no website expert.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I like it. It's clean, simple, and engaging.

I'm due for something new as well.
One of these days...

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Man, every time I think I have come up with something original! I'm doing that for a client right now.....first time doing it. Try getting THAT from a big factory!

Do the owners like it? I would imagine so. It's a surprise for this guy. I wanted to do something special for him because this guitar is replacing a Martin HD 28 He had stolen......from inside a church of all places.

Nice website......I like it.

Brad

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Brad Tucker

Jim;
Good pictures-they load fast-just the right amount of info!!

Wait & see how it does!
Change things slowly ,if you want or need to!

Beautiful guitars!!!!!!!!!!

Mike

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Mike Collins

I Like It !!!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Brad, Some people are more excited about them than others of course but it can mean a lot to some.
I recently sold a guitar through a shop that didn't have the book and the purchaser wanted to meet me, so when we met I delivered the book he knew nothing about, he was totally thrilled, they're worth the effort I think.
However, it also seems some people could probably care less.
Each book matches the serial number of the guitar with a list of the materials and a photo of the raw stock.
I think your client will love it and you right, get that from a factory (maybe someday).

All - thanks for the input. I noticed on another computer that my font doesn't come through.
Also are the audio clips working for people?

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Jim,

The audio works fine on my Mac. Doesn't sound to me like an acoustic guitar, though.

On the fonts, you might need to use web-safe fonts, which are boring, but everybody has them.

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Thanks for the input Pat.
The guitar has a Baggs Dual Source in it and I agree that it has a processed sound. Especially the lone labeled "sample".

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

I like the simiplicity - just enough of a home page to make you want to look more. I agree with the comments about "I hope you will look at the rest of the site". The font seems a little busy.

How about something about you? Let people know who you are.

Overall - very well done

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John Ressler

Jim buddy I like it!

I have one suggestion though and that is on the home page nix this line: Thanks for visiting and I hope you explore the rest of the site.

Instead replace this line that is taking up very valuable real estate that should be used to get the prospect to click into your site with something compelling.

The first few lines that someone is expected to read needs a hook. What is your unfair competitive advantage? Is it the use of composites, advanced engineering, what ever - here is where you offer the hook that also preferrably sets you apart from the pack.

Very nice site my friend.

Looks good Jim ! I like it it a lot.
As the others have said ....a few small changes and it will
be just fine. Very nice photos of your guitars !

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Hi Jim,

May I recommend that you use MP3 file format rather than M4A format for your audio clips. Pretty much everybody can listen to an MP3 file.

A comment about the beautiful fiddleback Honduras Mahogany collage on the opening page: It kind of gives the impression that (like me) you've only completed one guitar, and that you're shooting the same guitar from various angles. After a few seconds, it registers that I am seeing an F-hole and a round sound hole among the shots, but the first impression lacks a bit of variety. The fiddleback Mahogany is visually stunning. What can I say. It's like you're at the prom with the prettiest girl on your arm, and I'm suggesting you take a spin with some of the other girls. Maybe I'm just crazy, but I would bring a bit more variety into that collage.

Best of luck to you! (And, thanks for the great service and prices on your carbon fiber products!)

Dennis

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

Hi Jim,

I have to agree with Hesh's comments about the opening statement, but in all I think the site is very decent. It's easy to navigate and quick to load. It would be nice to have an option of clicking to enlarge some, if not all of your images, as it looks as though the photography is certainly good enough to warrant that.

Nice work BTW, the guitars look great.

Cal

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Remember, there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers!

Thanks guys for the input. I'm working on some changes/edits right now.
Dennis, I see your point about the collage. I'd like to change it to a slide show of different instruments I think, but I haven't been able to figure out how to do that.
I have dreamweaver mx2004, If anyone knows of what module I can do this in and give me a hint I'd appreciate it.
Thanks

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

It's done with Flash. I don't use Dreamweaver, I prefer to hard code so I'm not an expert on it, but I don't think it does that. Anyway, I use Flash to do this!

Flash MX and Dreamweaver are linked applications, as well as Fireworks MX! They kind of work as a suite!

You can do it with a .gif format but it's rough looking!

Send me the pix and I'll do it in Flash for you, if you like!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Billy, thanks for the offer to do it. I may take you up on it, but I'd like to try it myself first and learn a little something.
Having the tip to use Flash was a big help.
Thanks

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com