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NGD: 2017 Burton LeGeyt Renaissance Parlour
An approximately three year project has come to fruition. Burton LeGeyt of Boston appeared in such episodes as the build project, and Woodstock. He and I had been discussing a parlour guitar for a long time, thought about going with a Ditson, and he suggested the Martin Renaissance guitar owned by Robert Corwin (his photos to come on this link, with his permission)
http://vintagemartin.com/Martin1840Renaissance.html Burton wanted to use the guitar as an inspiration, not a slavish copy, so he took some liberties which I think turned out very well. Here's Burton in his own words, from his Facebook page: "I've been wanting to build this guitar for a long time. I became enamored with the guitar this one is based on, the Martin "Renaissance" guitar, years ago when I first saw pictures of it. The lines of the guitar, the tapered heel, the simple and elegant rosette. I loved everything about it. When Matthew floated the idea of a special little parlor guitar my wheels started turning and I suggested the idea of working elements of that guitar into the one we would be designing. Luckily for me he was on board and, in what felt like a fated moment, was able to set up an introduction with Robert Corwin, who owns the original. That introduction turned into a visit and I was able to see, handle, and measure the original. It was every bit as beautiful in person and that was a special day for me. As much as I love that guitar I was not interested in building a true copy. The guitar we would be making would be built for modern steel strings and voiced for current tastes. Some changes would be necessary. Both Matthew and I very much wanted to retain the look of the tuning pegs that were on the original. That turned out to be a little tricky- the available machines that incorporated pegs were either not sized correctly, had too low a gear ratio, or were just not structurally sound enough for our purposes. Instead, I worked through constructing my own custom housings, posts, and shafts to utilize a Waverly worm and gear in a fashion that would provide smooth, even tuning and still use the aesthetics we wanted. The overall headstock design, with the large single opening in the middle, was inspired directly by the work of Mitsuhiro Uchida. I had seen pictures of his work and loved that specific headstock. As I was designing a way to allow us to accent the tuning pegs and also make a visual reference to the body I began to see that as an elegant solution. I was able to contact Uchida and propose what I intended. He graciously gave me permission to make a version of his design and I am extremely grateful for that opportunity. I am very proud of the completed guitar. I think it fully and clearly references the Renaissance guitar yet is different enough to stand on its own. I was challenged in both the design and engineering of the guitar and feel confident in the decisions and solutions I used. I accomplished a personal goal to keep this small guitar under 3 pounds and it finished out at 2 lbs. 13 oz- with strings. Tonally it is rich and clear with a wonderful bass for the small body size. I appreciate Matthew's trust in me to take on this guitar and very much appreciate his patience, support, and enthusiasm as the process unfolded. It was a treat for me to get to make a guitar I have long been wanting to and I hope he thinks it is as good as I do Specs are: Red Spruce soundboard Koa back and sides Spanish Cedar neck ebony fingerboard, bridge, headstock overlay, tuning pegs bone nut, saddle, and pins Custom rosette and end graft in maple and rosewood Rosewood top binding and maple purflings Custom tuning machines in aluminum, titanium, bronze and steel 25" scale EVO frets Custom body shape: 12" lower bout, 4 3/16 depth at end Polyester finish on body, oil on neck Custom fitted Calton case." P front whole by Burton LeGeyt, on Flickr P front close by Burton LeGeyt, on Flickr P back 3-4 by Burton LeGeyt, on Flickr P back heel detail by Burton LeGeyt, on Flickr P headstock front by Burton LeGeyt, on Flickr P headstock back 3-4 by Burton LeGeyt, on Flickr P detail with rosette by Burton LeGeyt, on Flickr Thoughts on tone etc will have to wait another two weeks or so, because in the course of finishing my house renovation I broke two more nails (call the trauma helicopter) and haven't really been able to get a feel for it yet except for two things. Those who played it at Woodstock commented about the shocking bass response this tiny little guitar manages, and of course the neck is absolutely sublime, just as any LeGeyt is. I'll get a better idea of the treble response as the red spruce top opens up and as I can get the nails going again. Fear not, it is getting playing time and you guys will get a more in-detail review shortly. Thanks for following along in this journey!
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1930 Martin OM-28 2017 LeGeyt Parlor 2021 LeGeyt CLM Red/Tree 2021 Kostal MDW German/Pernambuco Last edited by CoolerKing; 02-01-2018 at 09:07 PM. |
#2
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I love this Matthew. Very elegant, and yet very modern looking. I think I love the neck/headstock the most and leaving that texture on the neck adds to that timeless look.
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#3
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That just came out awesome! Congrats and enjoy!
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#4
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I was skeptical all along the build thread -- but this is actually a very nice looking guitar. I like the headstock -- and the back is killer...
Congrats, Matthew! |
#5
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I like conversion of skeptics to potential admirers! For those having never played one I can attest having an engineer and artist, LeGeyt makes a peerless guitar. I have two right now, and I am unlikely to sell them barring bilateral arm decapitation.
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This is the most amazing guitar I've ever seen constructed.
I have no idea on the tone, but the ingenuity, craftsmanship, and pure will is really something to marvel at. The tired phrase "labour of love" comes to mind! I've exchanged a few messages with Burton, as we both share a design background - you can see that in play here. In my business we say "the best client gets the best work", and that is certainly true here. What a collaboration! Congratulations to you both.
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Randy 1936 D-18 1938 00-18h B&H D-18 ordered |
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Always a fan of Burton's work.
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#8
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Hey Matthew,
I just realised that this is your second guitar by Burton, and I have now visited the build thread for the first one. Wow, they are each so impressive and so individual. Being a fellow Baranik owner you know that all Mike’s guitars have a "signature sound". Can you say the same about the two LeGeyts? Col |
#9
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Congratulations, Matthew !
I know the wait has been long, with all the setbacks you documented in the build thread and now this near-death nail experience. Does my heart ever bleed for you! Looking forward to your feedback on one of the most original guitars I've ever seen. Till then, just remember that famous line from "Blazing Saddles, Nuts and Strings": "Nails ! We don need no estinkin' nails!"
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____________________________________________ 1922 Martin 0-28 1933 Martin 0-17 1974 Alvarez/Yairi CY120 2010 Baranik Parlor 2013 Circa OM-18 2014 Claxton OM Traditional 2014 Blackbird Rider |
#10
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Congratulations Matt! Sorry to hear about your nails and hope that you get well soon. If you recall, I had a pretty bad accident with a butter knife and my left hand one day after receiving my Michaud so my sympathies to you.
Very much looking forward to hearing how this sounds. I have a new found appreciation for small bodied instruments
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THE GOLDEN ERA GUITAR FOR SALE | VIDEOS AUTHORISED DEALER OF: Astrand | Bowerman | Brondel | Buendia | Casimi | Datlen | Doerr | Fujii | Gerber | GR Bear | Heinonen | Isaac Jang Keith | Keystone | Matsuda | Michaud Made | Ogino | Pellerin | Petros | Poljakoff | Strahm | Tom Sands | Wingert ...and more www.TheGoldenEraGuitar.com [email protected] +65 8666 0420 |
#11
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Thanks everyone for their kind replies. It has been a great guitar so far and I'm looking forward to posting a sound clip at some point.
Stay tuned! |
#12
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Burton is one talented dude.
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Circa OM-30/34 (Adi/Mad) | 000-12 (Ger/Maple) | OM-28 (Adi/Brz) | OM-18/21 (Adi/Hog) | OM-42 (Adi/Braz) Fairbanks SJ (Adi/Hog) | Schoenberg/Klepper 000-12c (Adi/Hog) | LeGeyt CLM (Swiss/Amzn) | LeGeyt CLM (Carp/Koa) Brondel A-2 (Carp/Mad) |
#13
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MISSION SUCCESS....!!!
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onedayatatime |
#14
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Congrats! Loving the look of this!!
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Matt |
#15
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Quote:
Hope this helps! Sound clips to come. |