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  #61  
Old 07-18-2022, 10:00 AM
jricc jricc is offline
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Originally Posted by Simon@Caulfield View Post
Don't worry; I'm here! Lurking!

I'm conscious that's its been some time since my last update. Unfortunately, I've gone to upload photos here several times, and because of the size limit; it wouldn't let me. I also want to show significant progress between updates, and at the moment it has been a whole lot of cutting carbon fibre and laying it into my mould.. which doesn't create very exciting content! :P

I'm also working on protecting my design/process, and thus am apprehensive about showing the intricate workings of my mould and process before this is in place.

If you follow my Instagram, I've been posting over there on my story (its a lot quicker and easier to post there when I'm very busy).

I've also had some issues in terms of planning and certification in my new premises, Thankfully that was rectified last week, and my curing oven is now in and working!

I've my next guitar at the paint stage, and I have taken on board lots of feedback and suggestion from all of you here. I cant wait to share that with you. I didn't want to upload photos of the same blue guitar over and over, and thus have been holding out for the next instrument to be ready. I also want to be better equipped to respond to all questions and queries regarding potential lead times, pricing and standard models.

I have been talking to many members behind the scenes and you all have been a wealth of knowledge and information. My inbox, and emails are always open for those who are interest in more information, those who have suggestions, or those who just would like a chat!


Edit; Got some photos to attach. For context Making this post took around 30 minutes I think I've now figured out a way to speed this up.
In the first photo, its me and my previous guitar, standing on the slipway where the Titanic and her sister ships were made.
In the second image, you'll seed the next guitar, exactly how it appears right out of the mould.
The guitar in the second image looks great Simon! Wish you the best in getting these out there.
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  #62  
Old 07-22-2022, 02:07 PM
SpruceTop SpruceTop is offline
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Apologies for the delay in updates on here guys, As discussed in the video; I've been moving premises

As mentioned; the audio may not be perfect, but I've been on the very steep learning curve of recording acoustic guitar; acoustically .

I do have a few musicians lined up to demo the guitars. My new workshop will also lend itself better to sharing a bit more content.
Simon, I really like the look of the guitar in the video and it sounds good too!
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  #63  
Old 08-01-2022, 10:05 AM
new2guitar_eh new2guitar_eh is offline
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Hi Simon,

What is your sense of when your guitars will start to become available for sale?
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  #64  
Old 08-06-2022, 09:07 AM
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Simon@Caulfield Simon@Caulfield is offline
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Hi Simon,

What is your sense of when your guitars will start to become available for sale?
Hi Robert!

As mentioned in the PM, I'm only just seeing your message now. I dont get notifications from this thread and instead check in a few times a week; so forgive the delay in getting back to you.

I have been working hard behind the seems to build more instruments. I'm hoping to open for orders in the very near future; however I am still working to refine the final stages of the process; namely paint finishes and options.

As my process and materials are completely unique within the industry; every challenge can only be resolved through my own testing and development. Unfortunately there's no easy way of googling answers! However, This does mean that at each and every stage I have reached a justified, tested and proven solution. (It also means that my wallet is significantly lighter and my hairline is getting thinner by the day! :P ) I also have been on a number of steep learning curves in regards to the intricacy's finishing guitars, learning how to spray to a much higher standard (as well as working with fades and unique finishes) and audio recording/video production.

Whilst I would love to open for orders immediately, I want to ensure what I have to offer meets my own high expectations and delivers on what I would expect as a customer. Id prefer not to put a fixed time on this process but as a guideline; I'd like to open for orders/sales in the next 4-6weeks assuming everything falls into place. This journey has already taken over 2 years to get to this point; and id rather not rush guitars out because of my own impatience at the final hurdles 🤣!

I also am working with a number of local artists and studios to generate high quality videos and recordings. This has meant finding openings in everyone's calendar that align.

The guitar that I previously posted photos of as it came out of the mould; has now been painted and fretted. I have made some significant changes in terms of the finishing and setup based on everyone's feedback and input.

Its currently on my workbench and this morning I have levelled and crowned the frets. I have a number of pickup options from LR Baggs to try which I am about to fit.

As mentioned above, for more regular updates feel free to follow me on Instagram and Facebook where I post regularly to my story. I also welcome anyone with interest, suggestions or questions to reach out to me directly through messages or email.

Ill add some more photo here soon. I just have to get them off my phone and compress them before I can upload!
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  #65  
Old 08-29-2022, 10:29 AM
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Hi Guys!

I've been out and about taking photos and sharing my latest prototype guitars this weekend.

Here are some of the images. Videos to follow soon (hopefully).

You can also see my new case design. I mentioned previously getting sample cases to try from multiple suppliers. Some of these would not fit well, others could not be supplied in any quantities beyond one or two so weren't worth considering at this time. I finally found a manufacturer to work with who was able to provide some samples; made to the exact size and requirements I specified.

I've asked for a few changes, but visually, I'm happy with the design and quality. Its a semi-rigid padded case, similar to what I've seen Taylor use.

The black guitar is finished in a clear coat over the carbon. This took quite a bit of trial and error as well as working with suppliers to find a high quality paint finish that was super clear, thin and also durable (and one that worked without needed extensive specialised facilities to cure). I'm pretty happy with the results, and the carbon really shines silver in the light. I cant wait to add translucent colours over this, as it makes for such a light and shimmering base (but that's another hurdle for further down the road). There are no binding layers or gel coat layers used in my process, so the carbon really shines through the super-clear coating.

I would consider myself to have quite a steady hand, but doing such thin fades around the edge with a small airbrush really tested that! There were more than a few restarts and do-overs! :P I was pretty set on having only the smallest possible black fades to really show of the carbon. Paint in general has been one of the most challenging parts; both from the point of sourcing materials that meet the requirements and worked with the process I've used; but also due to being something which I have had limited experience with in the past.

The images are quite compressed to get them to upload here, so you may see some banding/artifacting in the carbon weave; that's not there in reality or in the higher quality images.

These images were taken at the Big Fish in Belfast.
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File Type: jpg SMG02047_compressed.jpg (58.9 KB, 219 views)
File Type: jpg SMG02069_Compressed.jpg (48.3 KB, 216 views)
File Type: jpg IMG20220827123336_Compressed.jpg (60.6 KB, 220 views)
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  #66  
Old 08-29-2022, 05:01 PM
new2guitar_eh new2guitar_eh is offline
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Hi Simon,

Nice to see an update and progress....the black guitar is looking great!

As you start working with translucent, can I suggest you consider a burst finish (dark on the outside working to lighter in the inside to show more of the carbon pattern - similar to Gibson or Rainsong's Nashville but over carbon fibre, not veneer).

Do you still see being on track to start sales some time in September?
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  #67  
Old 08-30-2022, 05:04 AM
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Originally Posted by new2guitar_eh View Post
Hi Simon,

Nice to see an update and progress....the black guitar is looking great!

As you start working with translucent, can I suggest you consider a burst finish (dark on the outside working to lighter in the inside to show more of the carbon pattern - similar to Gibson or Rainsong's Nashville but over carbon fibre, not veneer).

Do you still see being on track to start sales some time in September?
Hi Robert!

I love the idea of bursts. I actually would really like to do a "silver burst" but with carbon showing instead of silver. I actually was playing about with this last year when I was making test ukuleles (see image). Since then I have found I can get a much brighter and clearer finish on the carbon, so it would be cool to try now on a guitar.

Excuse the dust and dirt on the uke photo, this was sitting in the workshop for a long time! :P

As mentioned, I'm pretty new to painting fades but as time goes on I hope to get better and offer more custom options. Personally I'm really into vintage instruments, so anything that draws inspiration from that gets me pretty excited. How about a paisley option? :P Maybe without using wallpaper though...

I honestly feel like I'm ready to start taking orders pretty soon; but I feel like I have to get some media out there to help inform anyone who is interested first. I'm finally at the stage where I have all the major kinks ironed out, and paint was the last hill to conquer. I just have to make a few more instruments to have for demos. As this as been a massive project and completely self-funded, any unexpected costs and hurdles have unfortunately come at the expense of any marketing "budget" I had in mind; but hopefully this is no longer going to be the case.

I'm also trying to finalise pricing, but at the moment I'm aiming for around $2600usd as a starting price. I will also be keen to offer discounts for the earliest customers. I'm considering 5-10 initial instruments, known as the Founders Series; I have been working on some inlay patterns and special options for these. I obviously already make clear stands and accessories so I may bundle some of these in (as seen in the first photo on my previous post).

I think you guys may like my latest prints I did for my workwear. It has a carbon twill texture to it, and looks like printed carbon fibre when the light hits it; an idea for merch in the future perhaps, and maybe a giveaway before that.

As always, it would be great to hear any thoughts or suggestions on what you'd like to see.
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  #68  
Old 08-30-2022, 02:58 PM
new2guitar_eh new2guitar_eh is offline
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Hi Simon,

Wondering what the weight is of your guitar? For me, lighter is better as I find my Sable to be quite heavy and so I don't pick it up quite as often
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  #69  
Old 08-31-2022, 07:49 AM
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Hi Simon,

Wondering what the weight is of your guitar? For me, lighter is better as I find my Sable to be quite heavy and so I don't pick it up quite as often
Whilst not being a high priority, weight has been something that i have been keeping a tentative eye on and recording.

The weights have varied as I've honed in on what give greatest overall performance. My lightest playable prototype (the yellow satin finished one) was really a challenge to see how light I could go! It weighs just under 1.3kg (2.86lb). This was however without a truss rod and with no electronics installed. As mentioned earlier in the thread, I found the truss rod to be worth the weight penalty.

My final production ready design is weighing in at around 1.7kg (3.5lb) (without electronics/battery). This may vary a little as I finalise some materials.

Interestingly, I have a moulded guitar here that weighs 660g (1.45lb), unfinished of course; but id be interesting in adding some nylon strings to it for some fun :P It kind of plays with your head how light it is!
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  #70  
Old 08-31-2022, 08:23 AM
JackDaniel JackDaniel is offline
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Great workout Simon. Can't wait to see and hear the finished product in person. So bummed we weren't able to meet up when I was in town.

My favorite sounding CF guitar by far is the McPherson sable. Apparently, they achieve their tone with cleverly placed bracing. Have you found ways to adjust the tone to your liking? Have you played /heard a McPherson cf by chance? Wondering what your thoughts are on fine tuning tone. You mentioned it a good bit so I'm excited to hear that it's high on your list of priorities.

Did also wonder what your thoughts are on how to access inside the guitar body with those sound holes? I imagine electronics will be difficult to switch out.
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  #71  
Old 08-31-2022, 08:57 AM
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Default Show and Tell?



Just a test upload from my phone!


Subtitles will be available soon :P
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  #72  
Old 08-31-2022, 09:31 AM
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Great workout Simon. Can't wait to see and hear the finished product in person. So bummed we weren't able to meet up when I was in town.

My favourite sounding CF guitar by far is the McPherson sable. Apparently, they achieve their tone with cleverly placed bracing. Have you found ways to adjust the tone to your liking? Have you played /heard a McPherson cf by chance? Wondering what your thoughts are on fine tuning tone. You mentioned it a good bit so I'm excited to hear that it's high on your list of priorities.

Did also wonder what your thoughts are on how to access inside the guitar body with those sound holes? I imagine electronics will be difficult to switch out.

So am I! Always next time, or maybe even we will meet on your side of the pond some day!

Short answer; Yes! Maybe this will be in Show and Tell Episode 2! Whilst if you look inside my instruments, you will struggle to see the bracing, it is actually an integral part of the layup of the carbon, and something I have tested extensively.

I lab tested "tops" where I propagated vibrations and measured how they moved through braced and unbraced tops. Multiple companies were claiming "our bracing is better" vs "without bracing is better" without any justification or evidence to back it up, so I focused on testing it. I could perhaps gather up several test instruments and restring them for a video showing the differences.

I haven't personally played a McPherson, but I have heard them played (before I even fully knew what carbon fibre guitars were). I hope to have a go one day as I really admire their design and process.

Access actually isn't a big issue (for me at least, but then I do have quite small hands 💅🏻 ). However, I have designed up a battery box to go at the base of the instrument which will be removable for another access point. All of the pickup systems I have tested have the preamp mounted on the jack lead socket; this is positioned the same distance from the bridge as the sound holes; so you can wire it at the sound hole and set the length of the wires; and when you position it, the wires are correctly suspended. I could quite easily add an access panel to the rear, but this would impact tone more significantly.

I have also tested different sound hole sizes and positions (this also ties back into your previous question about shaping the tone) and have found that the tone doesn't (objectively) change with slightly larger sound holes but it does impact the volume/projection when played harder. You may have noticed on one of my previous photos; the guitar comes out of the mould without the sound holes; I actually cut these after and theoretically could make them (or it, if there's only one) any size or shape. This is a big advantage of my process; where the process doesn't dictate the design. I dont have to have a large sound hole to fish a bladder out of. The focus is purely on the finished instrument.

I might follow this up with a video :P Although I'm not sure if a video makes things clearer if people struggle to understand my accent! Its strange, I dont have an accent in real life, but when I listen back to the video i cringe. Must be a fault with the recording
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  #73  
Old 09-03-2022, 06:30 AM
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Default Some Design Renders

I'm remaking a mould for one of the internal components, but when that's done I intend on making a short production run. I also have two guitars ready for paint at the moment.

Having spoke with some members, I've been mulling over some paint and finish styles.

Here are some initial Ideas; id love to hear what you think OR if you have suggestions, let me know and I'll try and draw it up (or ill try at least ) I personally like the vintage teardrop burst style like a Les Paul; but as with my previous guitar, I think a small simple fade around the edge will be the standard.

Have a great weekend!










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  #74  
Old 09-03-2022, 11:36 AM
DebbieE DebbieE is offline
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I really love the coloring on those, especially the blue and the purple ones. I'm very eager to hear some of your guitars being played, both flat picked and finger style.
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  #75  
Old 09-03-2022, 12:12 PM
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I really love the coloring on those, especially the blue and the purple ones. I'm very eager to hear some of your guitars being played, both flat picked and finger style.

Hi Debbie!

Great to hear from you! I had a friend in during the week for some recordings and testing. I'm hoping to get more musicians in soon to put together a varied set of sample recordings.

The colours will vary quite a bit in reality, depending on lighting conditions, but here are a few more images without the burst:
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