Short scale

[Berf]

I've recently received a wonderful FT-00 from Bruce Sexauer and thought I'd post a few pics to share with you all.

Bruce was kind enough to work with me to produce something as easily playable as possible owing to tendonitis issues in my fretting hand. So we went with a shorter-scale, narrower nut and narrower string spacing than he would normally choose. In conversations before the build Bruce made it clear that owing to some of my specifications it was possible that the guitar may lose a bit of the wonderful bass he's known for producing... but I was rather insistent and Bruce was willing... so we dubbed it the "Troublemaker" (that's the guitar not me....)

Anyways the Troublemaker has arrived and I'm loving it. I find it really comfortable to play and very good to my ears. I first heard a recording of one of Bruce's guitars on the Dream Guitars Vol. I - 2008 (Dream Guitars) CD by Al Petteway. He plays a Sexauer on the first track (the crossing) and I loved the sound of that recording... I really feel that this little FT-00 has a very similar tone which I couldn't be happier with. The short scale certainly doesn't seem to have detracted from anything as far as I can hear.... it's my own little Dream Series.

I should also mention that it is a beautiful guitar to look at... Bruce used a very special set of Honduras Rosewood that came up a treat. Smells nice too with the oil varnish.

Here are the main specs:
Body: FT-00
Neck join: 12th fret
Woods: Italian Spruce/Honduras Rosewood (some very nice stuff indeed)
Rosette: Standard
Scale: 24 3/16"
Nut width: 44.1mm
Fretboard: Ebony
Bridge: Rosewood
Headplates: Rosewood
Bindings: Rosewood

Here are some progress shots:

[Berf]

And some more...

[Berf]

But wait, there's more...

[Berf]

And so as not to leave you in suspense... here's the completed Troublemaker

[Berf]

And a few more...

[Larry Pattis]

Always love to hear about the super-short-scale guitars.

I'll be looking forward to how it sounds!

Congrats...

EDIT: Oh, sure...now there are more pics...and the guitar is done!

So, tell us about the sound...

[Berf]

And finally a quick soundclip that really does very little justice to this guitar owing mainly to my playing and also to my clueless recording technique on a Zoom H2. But it is a nod towards the recording by Al Petteway that first drew me to Bruce's guitars...

http://www.soundclick.com/player/sin...=11637963&q=hi

And I'll finish off by saying a big "Thank You" to Bruce for his patience, good humour and, need I say it, for building me such a terrific guitar...

Cheers to all, berf

[Larry Pattis]

Jeez, I had to wait three-minutes for this...heh, heh.

Sounds good now, I suspect that it will sound more-good after time and playing...

[Berf]

Hi Larry,

I swapped a number of emails with you about short scales a year or two back... you gave me some great advice and I'm very grateful for that.

I'm not much good at describing how guitars sound... I just love how this one does. I guess it sounds like a cosy fire on a winter's night and plays like your oldest, most favourite pair of worn in jeans (or track suit pants if you're that way inclined)... I'm sure this description is really helpful (not)...

[mesa]

Beautiful guitar in sound and build, congrats Berf and Bruce!

[pgilmor]

I want one!! Are you using medium strings? Nice recording, btw.

[Berf]

Thanks for the kind comments...

pgilmor, these are lights (again going for low tension for ease of playing)...

[Marc Durso]

Just a beauty, my fave size: 00, and a Sexauer! Congrats!

[justonwo]

If I could count on a cat to drag that kind of stuff into my house, I might actually consider getting one (or at least borrowing a cat from someone for a time).

[StringMeUp]

That sounds as great as it looks! Congratulations Berf and great job Bruce.