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  #1  
Old 01-14-2016, 10:16 AM
Michael Watts Michael Watts is offline
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Default Gaffney Modified Dreadnought Fiddleback Mahogany / Adirondack Spruce - TNAG UK

Hello guys!

I thought you might enjoy having a look behind the scenes of another Gaffney build that just arrived at TNAG HQ London. It's an MD but rather than being a finger style guitar this instrument was made for a flat picker. So here it is, a mini build thread!


(Julian at work on a Somogyi guitar)

Following a long discussion with my client and Julian on Skype we arrived at the conclusion that fiddleback mahogany would be the wood of choice for this instrument.

Here it is! Very pleasing!



Becoming more guitar-shaped...



A lot more guitar-shaped!



Beautiful headstock details in Buckeye Burl



and the back of the headstock in Quilted Sapele...



Gorgeous work there!

Here's an interview with Julian himself about his time at the Somogyi workshop and the directions in which it has taken him

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Old 01-14-2016, 10:20 AM
Michael Watts Michael Watts is offline
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And now for the finished guitar...













And you can watch it in action here!

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Old 01-14-2016, 10:41 AM
JoeCharter JoeCharter is offline
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Wow this one looks incredible! Another stunner!

Impeccable mastergrade tonewoods all around -- as it should be with any high end guitar.

The bridge design is quite unusual but such a good fit with a rather traditional shape. Fretboard inlays are tastefully done as well.

Overall I think the design is a success. Very Somogyi-esque but with an original, modern twist.

Beautiful work.
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Old 01-14-2016, 11:00 AM
Nemoman Nemoman is offline
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Very cool build--just a stunning guitar! Can someone explain to me what looks to be loike a colorful paper rosette on the underside of the top (in the pic where Julian is carving the top braces)? Not sure what it is, but it looks very cool as well--is it simply decorative? Congrats to the new owner...
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Old 01-14-2016, 11:02 AM
billgennaro billgennaro is offline
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Sounds great. Looks great. Another successful Somogyi-ite in the guitar world. He must be a heck of a teacher. Thanks for posting.
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Old 01-14-2016, 05:38 PM
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rogthefrog rogthefrog is offline
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Whoa. That's awesome. Julian's guitars are outstanding. <3
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Old 01-14-2016, 05:49 PM
JamesO JamesO is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nemoman View Post
Very cool build--just a stunning guitar! Can someone explain to me what looks to be loike a colorful paper rosette on the underside of the top (in the pic where Julian is carving the top braces)? Not sure what it is, but it looks very cool as well--is it simply decorative? Congrats to the new owner...
Think that's just the underside of the rosette before the soundhole reinforcement patch has been glued on.
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Old 01-14-2016, 05:55 PM
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justonwo justonwo is offline
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That is totally sweet!
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Old 01-15-2016, 07:49 PM
stuartb stuartb is offline
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Beautiful guitar. Very nice photos also.

Stuart
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Old 01-15-2016, 09:45 PM
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Unbelievable! World class....
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  #11  
Old 01-19-2016, 11:23 AM
Michael Watts Michael Watts is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeCharter View Post
Wow this one looks incredible! Another stunner!

Impeccable mastergrade tonewoods all around -- as it should be with any high end guitar.

The bridge design is quite unusual but such a good fit with a rather traditional shape. Fretboard inlays are tastefully done as well.

Overall I think the design is a success. Very Somogyi-esque but with an original, modern twist.

Beautiful work.
Glad you like it Mao! Julian is a serious talent and a pleasure to work with.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nemoman View Post
Very cool build--just a stunning guitar! Can someone explain to me what looks to be loike a colorful paper rosette on the underside of the top (in the pic where Julian is carving the top braces)? Not sure what it is, but it looks very cool as well--is it simply decorative? Congrats to the new owner...
Well spotted! It's a new design where the bracing goes on the outside!

Not really... it's the top before it receives the sound hole reinforcement ...

Quote:
Originally Posted by billgennaro View Post
Sounds great. Looks great. Another successful Somogyi-ite in the guitar world. He must be a heck of a teacher. Thanks for posting.
My pleasure Bill! It plays beautifully and sounds incredible!
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  #12  
Old 01-19-2016, 11:24 AM
Michael Watts Michael Watts is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rogthefrog View Post
Whoa. That's awesome. Julian's guitars are outstanding. <3
Very true!

Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesO View Post
Think that's just the underside of the rosette before the soundhole reinforcement patch has been glued on.
That's right!

Quote:
Originally Posted by justonwo View Post
That is totally sweet!
Ha! Yes it is!

Quote:
Originally Posted by stuartb View Post
Beautiful guitar. Very nice photos also.

Stuart
You owe it to yourself to check one out!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Diamondave View Post
Unbelievable! World class....
I have to agree!
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