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  #46  
Old 06-20-2013, 10:02 AM
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Bruce Sexauer Bruce Sexauer is offline
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Thank you, Steve. After many years of using a Martinesque sensibility on my own headstock designs I have been spurred to mess with my formula. My creativity was formerly focused on sound, structure, and ergonomics for the most part, but the marketplace has changed, and if I am to stay on top (or wherever I am) it seems I must be a bit less subtle.
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  #47  
Old 06-20-2013, 03:55 PM
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Here are a couple of shots from the Grass Valley event courtesy of Monte Hendricks who was showing banjos there:

Front edge of my table (the Maple/RW 0 is a serious contender):


Me paying close attention:
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  #48  
Old 06-20-2013, 09:08 PM
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I know what you're talking about.
At some point the guitar has crossed the line of being a musical tool to an objet d'art. And more than just a fancied-up version of stock models.
However, the challenge just adds another avenue for creativity to vent itself, and makes things even more fun. I bet that peghead brought a smile to your face once you stepped back and saw it.

Steve
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  #49  
Old 06-20-2013, 11:01 PM
Murray Hunt Murray Hunt is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce Sexauer View Post
As spec'd this guitar'll get a pyramid, but I personally feel a LOT better about my belly bridge, so much so that it's the only one I unconditionally guaranty. Perhaps the lucky devil will see fit to let me know his preference. He has a couple of weeks to do so.
Hi Bruce,

Is that a surface area issue? I don't quite understand the lack of confidence in the pyramid bridge. Wish I was coming to HGF to see those builds in person. Greetings from British Columbia.

Murray
  #50  
Old 06-21-2013, 09:22 AM
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Three related issues with the pyramid:

Footprint is one, and they do come off more often than my others.

Width is another, and the slot crowds the bridge pins. If the slot is put in at enough of an angle to handle intonation the pins must be angled too. Martin did neither in the day, but modern ears require it.

Because the wings are abruptly scalloped off the edge of the center section, the saddle slot is not well supported at its ends and there is a much greater tendency for the bridge to crack through the slot.

All this is relative to the belly bridge. I have had to replace about 6 of the pyramids out of 60 or so that the Schoenberg/Sexauers represent. Theoretically I get to charge for this as I have never been willing to guarantee them, but is reality I have always done it free. I have found a way to hedge my bet, however, and my more recent pyramids have an alteration so subtle that not even Mr Schoenberg has commented on it. Time will tell if it's enough.
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  #51  
Old 06-24-2013, 04:15 PM
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Today I put the first coat of Varnish onto the Schoenberg 000. I made the neck last week, and did the pore-filler over the week end. I also glued the neck of the Kerala to it's body today, and there will be more about that soon!







And here is a picture of my whole booth at GVBF/13. The rack in the back had 3 basses in it on the first day, but one got loaned to the stage, and two got bought! The fixture in the middle is my stand for doing bass set-ups.
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  #52  
Old 06-25-2013, 05:03 PM
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Today I thought of, designed, cut, and installed the fretboard inlay for the P-Kerala, which will double as a sign on my table. I think (Hope) it will be a bit more subtle with the strings and frets in place! I'll know in a couple of days.
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  #53  
Old 06-25-2013, 06:06 PM
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This is what I'm talking about! I did this name thing once before, cutting the letters out of 5/16" Dots, and it was so subtle that not a single person has ever noticed without my directing them to it . . . or they were too polite to say so. Anyway, with the frets it it looks a lot less like a billboard to me. Time to make a bridge.
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  #54  
Old 06-25-2013, 06:15 PM
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"Reuaxe"... Redoubtably extraordinary usable artwork, exquisitely executed

The flamed mahogany looks wonderful too.
  #55  
Old 06-25-2013, 07:46 PM
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Really edifying understanding after eXtensive education! ("S"est Bon) Thank you.
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Last edited by Bruce Sexauer; 06-26-2013 at 10:46 PM.
  #56  
Old 06-26-2013, 06:55 PM
Tom West Tom West is offline
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Bruce: Thought I posted this yesterday but guess it got lost in the great beyond. That Mahogany back is beautiful............you mentioned the colors in the headstock in an earlier post..........well the purf, binding and center strip do it for me...!!! Also notice your stepping off the beaten path....don't go too far. Always liked your less is more earlier approach but get where your coming from............hope show is a success.
Tom
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  #57  
Old 06-26-2013, 10:50 PM
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Tom, you have been very kind to me for years now; when do we get to meet?

I did string up the P-Kerala today, and will have something to say about it after it relaxes a bit. I targeted the more modern sound with it, by which I mean a super full and rich presence rather than the drier vintage sound I am mostly known for. It is certainly loud and has a major bass response. More later!
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  #58  
Old 06-27-2013, 06:10 PM
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I started the 3rd HGF guitar today.

For some reason I had the idea that the festival was in late August, and I was right that it was not in the middle as usual, but wrong about late, it's early August. So now I am a bit under the gun . . . a situation I thrive in.

The previous two guitars I am emulating with this one were both BRW, one Adi and the other Italian. So I am changing thing up a bit and making this one Amazon/German. I got a really cool set of Amazon (Dalbergia Spruceana) last year from my friend Maro, and it will be interesting to see how this goes. This'll be my first Amazon build.

The top will be one I got from Martin Guhl, and it is one of those 30 or 40 year old tops that are not up to the standards of that time for aesthetic reasons, but are seriously great in the modern age.

Here's the back:
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  #59  
Old 06-28-2013, 06:10 AM
Tom West Tom West is offline
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Bruce: Us meeting is regretfully not likely to happen, not that it wouldn't be my pleasure. As to being kind, I think you have it backwards. You put so much effort into posting data and photos, not only on this forum but the forum scene in general. No other professional responds with the same volume and enthusiasm on the forums. Time I'm sure that could otherwise be spent working. I appreciate that and thank you.I'm sure there are many others that do also. Keep up the good work.
Tom
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  #60  
Old 06-28-2013, 10:19 AM
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I'm looking forward to reading the progress reports of the Spruceana O body.

Btw, I heard the video for the Braz/Adi guitar you posted on the log cabin; I know it's 'just' a YT video, but it's one of the finest sounding guitars I've heard.

For those who haven't heard it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=BLkjv5OkEb8
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