Jay Lichty/John Thomas guitar making workshop build

[jt1]

Update 1-15-16: Yesterday, Jay Lichty sent me the link to the just-completed video montage of my build, which includes the first song played on the guitar, only moments after it was (temoprarily - the finish still needed to be applied) strung up:



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Original, opening post:

Well, "collaboration" may not accurately capture our joint project. More like professor/student. On March 6 I'll begin a 10-day, one-on-one guitar building workshop with Jay Lichty.

Jay has built around 200 instruments, split roughly equally between guitars and ukes. He and I will build an all-koa parlor guitar. Well, at least I hope that I produce a guitar.

I'll be blogging daily on the Fretboard Journal site. Here is my first entry, the "Prelude."

Follow along and comment as I, hopefully, progress.

First question: which set for top and back do you prefer?

Set 1:





Set 2:

[psychojohn]

Although typically partial to light colored guitars, I like set 1 better. More of a classic KOA look and really like the center sap line. I am interested in hearing how it sounds with same back and top woods and that wood being KOA. Excited to follow the build. Good luck and congratulations !

John

[TimL]

I like set 1 better. The plates appear to be better matches for color and figure.

[JamesO]

I'm a Set 2 guy. I really like all the dark variations in the color and the character of figure. Just enough sap wood to accent it. Set 1 is a close second, but I prefer the amount of sap wood in Set 2.

[JamesO]

John, what do we bookmark in order to follow the blog? Will all the posts stream continuously on one page, or will they appear as separate articles somewhere on the journal site?

[jt1]

Thanks, all. I'm leaning toward set 1, but won't decide until I arrive at the shop next week.

James, I'll post a daily piece on my Fretboard Journal blog, here. Thanks for asking!

[joe white]

Put me down for set number two. I don't mind sap wood but I like set two better . Both are very nice sets.

[stuartb]

Hey John, hope you are well,

The first two choices both look outstanding.

I'm partial to the 2nd, but either 1 or 2 are striking for certain. Good luck on your build!

Stuart

[riverrummed]

Set 2 for me. I'm not that into sap wood. I'd be very interested to learn the final thickness of the top and back woods when that time comes?

[riverrummed]

John, I cut over to your link on FJ and you mention that when you're finished you'll be a Lichty guitar owner and it made me wonder if that is how it works with collaborations versus apprenticeships or whatever this project is being called. I thought maybe it would be John Thomas guitar Number 1. It's a great idea to do this by the way. I'll be following this one. Can we get a picture of your hands pre and post construction (just kidding).

[jt1]

Originally Posted by stuartb

Hey John, hope you are well,

The first two choices both look outstanding.

I'm partial to the 2nd, but either 1 or 2 are striking for certain. Good luck on your build!

Stuart,

It's good to hear from you. Life is good here. How are you and yours?

Originally Posted by riverrummed

Set 2 for me. I'm not that into sap wood. I'd be very interested to learn the final thickness of the top and back woods when that time comes?

River,

I'll daily post an in-depth description of what we're doing, including information like this. Please keep the questions coming.

Originally Posted by riverrummed

John, I cut over to your link on FJ and you mention that when you're finished you'll be a Lichty guitar owner and it made me wonder if that is how it works with collaborations versus apprenticeships or whatever this project is being called. I thought maybe it would be John Thomas guitar Number 1. It's a great idea to do this by the way. I'll be following this one. Can we get a picture of your hands pre and post construction (just kidding).

It will, indeed, be JT serial number 0001. A simple "JT" inlay, I think.

Pics of the hands - and fingernails - it will be!

[CoolerKing]

Set #2! I'm also having an all koa parlor next year, currently under double secret probation.

[stuartb]

Originally Posted by jt1

Stuart,

It's good to hear from you. Life is good here. How are you and yours?

Very well thx,

Interestingly, my daughter, who is 16 is going t build a Nick Lucas based on the 34 specs. Do you recommend ladder or X bracing? She surprised me, came in two weeks ago and said, I'm going to build a guitar.

Good for her. I wouldn't know where to begin, and she simply decides to move forward.

Stuart

[jt1]

Originally Posted by stuartb

Very well thx,

Interestingly, my daughter, who is 16 is going t build a Nick Lucas based on the 34 specs. Do you recommend ladder or X bracing? She surprised me, came in two weeks ago and said, I'm going to build a guitar.

Good for her. I wouldn't know where to begin, and she simply decides to move forward.

Stuart

Stuart,

Very cool.

A 1934 Nick would, of course, been X-braced.

[Cams]

Set 2 for me. Sounds like an interesting project!