Laurelyn Sexauer's first guitar

[Bruce Sexauer]

Laurelyn is off for the weekend to maintain her life in Sacramento. Before she left she got the guitar just beyond the point where she abandoned the first attempt, 8 years ago.

It was paring the braces that defeated her last time, and here you see her getting it right:


Her top with the first tier of braces:


And the rosette:


And her back with strip:

[TEK]

Very cool thread Bruce.
I was able to enjoy this same experience a couple of years back with my daughter. She now has a guitar that will remind her of that summer for a lifetime. She moved out this summer and I think back on those fond memories often. They grow up so fast!
Thanks for sharing.
Travis

[FormerFoodie]

This is probably the coolest AGF thread that I've stumbled onto all year!

Congrats! You must be beaming. Regardless of whether she follows in your considerable footprints, the more important thing is that you are sharing some immeasurable quality time with her. No matter what career path she takes both of you will have the special moments from sharing your guitar building passions together.

I can't wait to see how this build wraps up!!!

[Bruce Sexauer]

Back to work today! Back braces are in and ready for end treatment.


In other news, Laurelyn brought her own shop dog, Mickey.

[BrunoBlack]

Looks like Mickey has his/her eye on a cat.

[Bruce Sexauer]

We put our bracing in in 3 tiers, shaping each tier before the next goes in. This allows a greater degree of control over results. Here's Laurelyn putting in the last brace of the second tier:

[redir]

Wonderful!

[printer2]

That bracing has a striking resemblance to, hang on it will come to me soon.

[TomB'sox]

And are the angles of those braces pre-determined, ie. do you draw out their placement with a template or the like.

I know she is learning a lot from you, but are you going to learn anything from her, such as the snazzy blue nail polish?

[Bruce Sexauer]

I do not use templates for my bracing, and instead have a metamorphic concept which I apply to each instrument uniquely, depending on size and tonal target. I have attempted to communicate the concept to Laurelyn, and she did draw her brace positions herself. . . while I coached with a light hand.

[Mbroady]

Perhaps when all is said and done and the project, and the summer job are over the Apple will decide to not stray far from the tree.

Having recently become a father I hope my daughter will find something that brings her the pride and joy that is apparent on your daughters face as she works the craft.

[WayneJohnson]

Bruce, I cannot help but be inspired by this thread! Awesome to see. My daughter designed my logo, my wife provides a lot of artistic influence to many of my rosettes, my son is an outstanding musician, singer/songwriter and of course plays a guitar i built for him, my other son built his own cajon in my shop, both my daughters sing wonderfully. We are empty nesters but when we all get together, a rare but treasured time, music is huge with us.

but your thread here continues to light the flame of why we build. Music is, in my opinion one the most healing, connecting, loving, restoring, moving, uniting elements known to mankind. It is our privilege, joy and ongoing motivation to never give up contributing fine instruments to help those who create more music to keep on doing it----we need this medicine more than ever in this troubled world. Thank you Bruce and Laurelyn.

[jaymarsch]

Nice photos. Love the dog and the shots of the guitar coming into being. Getting a shop dog - sounds like a commitment to me.

Best,
Jayne

[David Wren]

That is a great father-daughter project Bruce! My son and I decided to build a canoe together and I had NO idea if we'd work well together ... but it turned out to be a fantastic experience for both of us. It looks like your experience with Laurelyn will be the same!

[Godfather]

Sharing your passion, skills and knowledge with your daughter....what a great way to spend the summer! Cherish every minute of your time together.