#76
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Good morning! Getting things wrapped up to do final sanding and move on to the finish room. I began shaping the bridges today.
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#77
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There has been a lot of grain filling and sanding lately, but I’m happy to say these will be hitting the spray booth in the next day or so!
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#78
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It will be great to see them after the spray booth.
Having admired the purpleheart and koa for a while on this thread, it makes me wonder, do you have a favourite tonewood to work with or listen to? Favourite top wood? |
#79
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Thanks Colins, for following along and commenting! I had to think about your question for a bit. For me I think picking a favorite is difficult, I have been able to work with so many different types of woods and combinations. Koa and Cocobolo are top picks paired with Sitka spruce or cedar. Currently I have spent most of my playing time on a claro walnut and sinker cedar Vendovi that I built last year. I really enjoy the warmth and clarity that guitar has. The only thing that keeps coming to mind is my favorite always seems to be the next one. And the moment I put strings on and hear it for the first time. I especially look forward to hearing this Purpleheart guitar, it sure has been a joy to build. |
#80
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I think that’s part of what makes acoustic guitars so much fun. We can enjoy searching for the "sound" we hear in our heads, and at the same time be entranced by a tone or other playing characteristic we had not even anticipated.
Colin |
#81
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The finish is starting to flow. Here are some shots of the first few coats.
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#82
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Beautiful looking guitars! That purple heart is very unique.
I'm curious where you are aiming with the tone on it? I will likely be at the Laconner festival and I'm also in the NorthWest so I'd love to get a chance to play this one and any of your other work. |
#83
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Thanks Aspiring! The tap tone of this purpleheart is similar to other dense tropical hardwoods. The construction of my guitars is heavily influenced by the writings of Ervin Somogyi from his books on the responsive guitar. So I expect as with previous builds to be pleased with the outcome. However since this is the first purpleheart guitar I have made there is still an element of surprise I look forward to. I hope you can make it to La Conner! These both will be on display and available at my booth. I would love to hear your thoughts after you get a chance to play them. |
#84
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Just a couple more spray sessions and it will be time to do some more sanding. Level sanding that is.
Wenge sure has some large pores to fill. It took two coats of thickened epoxy, then some spot filling with CA to get it smooth. I’m happy with the results though. |
#85
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It’s been a few days since my last post. Still waiting on the finish to cure on the guitars. But in the meantime I’ve been working on an order I got for another Tahitian ukulele. These are fun, very different than other instruments I have built.
They are 8 strings with the middle 4 tuned to the next octave. The construction reminds me of a resonator or banjo. And the sound hole is in the back. You can find some videos on YouTube if you are interested in hearing one played. |
#86
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That is beautiful if not a little weird with the sound hole in the back! Beautiful woods.
__________________
PS. I love guitars! |
#87
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Definitely a little weird, they are surprisingly loud for the sound port location. This image shows a little better why the port is in the back. Thanks for commenting. |
#88
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What a cool instrument!
I gather the "top" that does the vibrating is actually that circular piece of koa. Does it just rest in place, with the strings to hold it there, or is it secured to the body some other way? Thanks for posting interesting stuff, Joe! |
#89
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Ahhh, yes, that makes a little more sense now. I watched some youtube videos, they sound pretty good.
__________________
PS. I love guitars! |
#90
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Yes that’s correct, the koa sound plate is glued in place. The bridge is not glued however, it is held in place by the strings. |