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I've built two guitars based on C&N, and am finishing a couple of l-00's based on Mark Swanson's plans. Though I enjoy my first two, and the l-00's are giving every indication of being a couple steps up, I'm itching for my next larger-body guitar.

I mostly finger-pick with a heavy hand and have been making weekly trips to the local GCs to try and figure out what to build next. I'm afraid this is causing more confusion than resolution, but this is what I've come down to so far (not considering playability, just tone)....

A Gibson JS-200 pretty well jumped off the shelf at me in a room full of Breedloves and Taylors. I was surprised because I've played these before and always preferred the smaller j-185s. This was one of their Montana models.

Next door in the Martin room is where the real surprise came. An $850 Dread (laminated sides?) Blew everything else out of the water. Bass deeper and tighter and everything just more alive than anything else I played, including all the dreads at 3x the price and the $3500 Gibson. Almost bought it and started selling tools. I was literally confused and started walking around playing everything again.

So... I'm seriously considering abandoning my thoughts of feminine curves for my next build and figuring I ought to dread-not (really sorry about that) the square figure (and ridiculously easy to bend lines) of the dreadnought. I've read threads where various degrees of import are laid on the basic shape, but it seems generally to be considered substantial. I know dread is a dirty word around here, but is that just look-ism?

If I go dread, which plans would you recommend? Would something like an MJ be a better looking and tonally similar alternative? Anyone ever see any J-185 plans? There are plans for a J-200 available, can I get a J-200 shape to sound as tight as a dread?

Anyone want to see a dread finger picked?

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Gabriel Regalbuto
Carlsbad, California
Freedom 35!

Gabe my friend a number of us like the OLF/Michael Payne SJ because it has the body volume of a "dread-not" with more feminine curves. IMHO it holds better too and is more comfortable to play.

A TKL case is available off the shelf for it for in the $130 range for the basic model (not bad) and $180 for a nicer case. And Ameritage has a case for it too for a bit more money. Some of the other designs such as the MJ may be more difficult to find a case for and the availability of a case is important to consider when considering what you want to built. This from a guy who has two caseless L-OOs here.........

Since the OLF plans page is down at the moment I think that if you contact Michael directly he may be able to help you out with plans/PDF files - not sure on this and my apologies to Michael if I misspoke.

Anyway of the folks that I know that have built the SJ (I have built 3 now) we all love them and often compare them to dreads for volume but with better player comfort and superior mids IMHO.

Good luck on the L-00's, I hope you post some photos! In fact, good luck on ALL of these guitars.
There are some very good suggestions here, but I will say that if you go jump to the dark side and build a dread, at least make it a slope-shouldered one. <G>

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Mark Swanson
Swanson Guitars
http://www.MarkSwansonMusic.com

Well, it seems I have my work cut out for me. I can't think of a Martin shape I like the looks of, but I've always preferred their dreads to the J-45s I've played. I guess if I build it it won't be a Gibson....

Cutaways are for wimps? Todd, aren't you the same cat that recommended I make a cutaway oh 2 posts earlier? Are you suggesting I build for wimps? The meek get the earth baby, not my guitars!

I went to a Michael Hedges show at a winery in Santa Cruz with my girlfriend, now wife, when I was in college. I was pretty floored. Didn't even mind when he came over with his flute and started flirting with her. Actually, I would gladly have offered her up for the weekend in exchange for some lessons. He was nice enough to share a couple tunings with me.

I'm still interested in any other suggestions, but everything is on hold now while I try to locate some duds like Jack Cassidy is wearing in this video:

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Gabriel Regalbuto
Carlsbad, California
Freedom 35!

So Gabe you are not a fan of guitars that have had a vasectomy? Me either.

I can't help you with the search for the cool threads man but I'll bet that Billy can........

Been fixed myself, so now you callin' me a whimp Heshie?

I've been upping my game slowly but surely. I think I'll even post picks of the second of the l-00s when its finished. I think it might come out good enough that the nice folks around here will compliment without too much private . I'm looking forward to doing a cutaway like the one up and to the left, but not after I've done a solid-color top with radial coco purfling.

Thanks for the input guys!

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Gabriel Regalbuto
Carlsbad, California
Freedom 35!

Heck no Gabe my friend - I would never call you a whimp.......... You know some of us here on the OLF are such nice guys that had you let us know that you were fixed I am sure someone would have been happy to send you a bag of frozen peas and the latest issue of AG...... Besides I only get verbally abusive with my pals Waddy and Billy......

So what color do you have in mind for the solid color top? Although archtops Paul Woolson has been building some very cool solid color guitars too.

Hey, Hesh, HERE"S a little something to go with the "Monkey Butt Powder".

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

What color? I'd say, but I'm afraid people would write me off as a heathen and stop responding to my posts. Ah, to he!! with it, I like black topped guitars and I don't care who knows!

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Gabriel Regalbuto
Carlsbad, California
Freedom 35!