Wilborn - Nautilus

[WilbornGuitars]

Well the guitar is now curing, and as soon as I get back from the LaConner show this weekend, it will be time to buff and assemble. I can't wait to hear it!

[Dogma]

The back bracing wood looks different (darker) than in my Arum - is it different or did you finish it?
Just curious!

[WilbornGuitars]

Originally Posted by Dogma

The back bracing wood looks different (darker) than in my Arum - is it different or did you finish it?
Just curious!

I think yours is spruce, and this one uses mahogany. I don't believe there is a discernible difference sound wise. I've had some people object to the high visibility of the spruce brace through the sound hole, so I'm giving mahogany a go. Does the spruce bother you?

[BlackKeys36]

Originally Posted by WilbornGuitars

I think yours is spruce, and this one uses mahogany. I don't believe there is a discernible difference sound wise. I've had some people object to the high visibility of the spruce brace through the sound hole, so I'm giving mahogany a go. Does the spruce bother you?

If he says "yes" I would like to see the video of you changing the back braces through that beautiful sculpture that you like to call a soundhole.

[WilbornGuitars]

Originally Posted by BlackKeys36

If he says "yes" I would like to see the video of you changing the back braces through that beautiful sculpture that you like to call a soundhole.

I was thinking maybe a sharpie would work instead.

[Dogma]

Originally Posted by WilbornGuitars

I think yours is spruce, and this one uses mahogany. I don't believe there is a discernible difference sound wise. I've had some people object to the high visibility of the spruce brace through the sound hole, so I'm giving mahogany a go. Does the spruce bother you?

Only when it wakes me up late at night. Which, now that I think of it, beats being bitten by a donkey

[nootis]

Well I'm glad that there's no donkeys around..... only this Jack *** and this thread!

After wowing the folks at La Conner with both his guitars and Frog and Toad, Ben made it back to buff out the Nautilus, get it strung up and made sure all is in order. Ben says it's a beast!

I was hoping to fly up and pry it from his hands, but I have too much going on in the next few weeks. When it's good and ready and after Ben makes a video of it, it will ship it to me. In the meantime, here is the completed package. Like most guitars, I bet it looks even better when holding it. To say that I'm excited, is an understatement....

[doodahdoug]

Congratulations on the completion of your Nautilus Dan. Ben really outdid himself with this one. I missed La Conner this year but look forward to seeing you at B.I.G. along with Ben and Brad.

[Nemoman]

Looks amazing, Dan--congrats to you and kudos to Mr. Toad on another masterpiece!

[TomB'sox]

Fantastic, but then what would we expect from Wilborn guitars!!!! It is going to sound amazing.

[soma5]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Fantastic, but then what would we expect from Wilborn guitars!!!! It is going to sound amazing.

Totally agree. I guarantee that you will be bowled over. I continue to be bowled over by my Arum (that Tom helped me get).

[Guitars44me]

What a beauty! Way to go Ben…

Enjoy it in fine health and spirits!!!

Paul

[cigarfan]

Looks awesome Dan! I'll bet excited doesn't cover it completely. Congrats to you and Ben one more time. See ya at B.I.G.

[nootis]

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Looks amazing, Dan--congrats to you and kudos to Mr. Toad on another masterpiece!

Thanks Kevin. It's good to be part of the Wilborn Fan Club!

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Fantastic, but then what would we expect from Wilborn guitars!!!! It is going to sound amazing.

I'm sure it will. Thanks for commenting Tom.

Originally Posted by soma5

Totally agree. I guarantee that you will be bowled over. I continue to be bowled over by my Arum (that Tom helped me get).

At first I was thinking of cereal like Wheaties or something, but I knew what you meant by context. I'll be honest though, I've never heard of being "bowled over", but I'm now looking forward to it.

Originally Posted by Guitars44me

What a beauty! Way to go Ben…

Enjoy it in fine health and spirits!!!

Paul

Thank you Paul! As you so eloquently put it, Ben is the true hero in this story. I hope all is well with you.

Originally Posted by cigarfan

Looks awesome Dan! I'll bet excited doesn't cover it completely. Congrats to you and Ben one more time. See ya at B.I.G.

Thanks Dennis. I'm lucky to be able to have the means and opportunity to own such a masterpiece. I'm looking forward to Ben's customary demo video.

[WilbornGuitars]

Thank you everyone for the positive hopes, wishes , congratulations, etc.
I have played this guitar for a few days now, and it is waking up in a gratifying way. It always takes at least a few days for the guitar to start relaxing into the string tension, for everything to fully seat down where it belongs, and for the strings themselves to become less brash and metallic. One of my favorite things about making guitars is that each one is different, even if you use a very tightly controlled building process; each individual guitar will have its own character and its own feel and voice. This variation, this roll-of-the-dice aspect of guitar building could very easily drive a luthier nuts, and certainly could cause some builders enough discomfort to pretend it doesn't exist, that all these variables are possible to control, and that he or she possesses complete command over the outcome of the instrument. Personally, I find the building and the ultimate reveal of what I have created to be very gratifying. What fun is life without mystery? I realize that these sentences could very well lead up to me saying, "So, sorry, Dan, this one just didn't turn out. Sorry, pal, it's art..." But in fact I think I haven't built a real dog in a long time- the parameters of the variation in outcome have narrowed so that they are all reasonable guitars nowadays (I certainly hope). But what I was trying to express is that it's a whole lot of fun to see the egg crack and the chick emerge and flex its wings and dry in the sun. This morning I sat out on my deck and played Dan's new Nautilus for about an hour, and I was very happy. It's a good bird. Thanks for the opportunity to get to do this, Dan.