Caldwell Guitars 2019 - Page 2

Tim McKnight · #16 01-15-2019, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Caldwell

Tim,

With a sample size of one, I'm hesitant to read too much into the results, but for my tonal target, I'm very happy. I thinned the top about .005 under my norm and thinned the x slightly also. It's super responsive and responds equally well to finger style or pick, though I'm generally playing it with a pick. I am going to put a set of nickel bronze strings on it and see how it sounds. I have a set on my Greven and really like them.

There are a lot of tonal influences on this guitar ... Bar frets, Ebony neck reinforcement, Spanish Cedar neck to name a few, but as we all know the majic is in the top and I'm very encouraged by what I hear with this material. Hopefully others will agree.

I very interested to hear your comments.

Thanks for your response Jimmy. I hear a dryness, noticeably warmer and more vintage voice in the few Torrefied Red Spruce tops that I've built with. New Red Spruce has a very strong treble bias, almost glass like edge to them but the torrefied tops smooth that edge out considerably very reminiscent of the pre-war era guitars I've heard and played. They seem to have more power too. So far I really like what I've heard, so much so that I've sent about 1/4 of my top inventory away to have them torrefied along with many back and side sets as well

I've built a lot of guitars with aged, vintage and reclaimed old growth woods and if you have you know there is something quite unique and special about older woods. Torrefaction isn't the magic bullet to put 100 years on a piece of new wood but its the closest thing I've found (in new wood) to compare to old wood.

Steve Kinnaird · #17 01-15-2019, 09:25 PM

As clean and crisp as always, Jimmy. Thanks for posting!

Steve

CoolerKing · #18 01-15-2019, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Caldwell

Matthew,

Thanks for asking. This one was a blast to build and even more fun to play. With no one to please but myself and no time constraints, here's what I came up with.

13 fret 00 body Brazilian Rosewood Back & Sides
Torrified Adirondack Spruce Top w/Torrified Sitka Bracing
30 Style Appointments (Ivoroid Trim, 45 Rosette, Rope Purfling)
Boxed End Graft
Unbleached Bone Saddle, Nut, End & Bridge Pins
Ebony Fingerboard & Bridge w/Thru Saddle
Spanish Cedar Neck w/Bird's Beak Joint @ Headstock
Bar Frets
Raw Brass Banjo Tuners w/Tortoise Buttons

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...1&d=1547507695
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...1&d=1547507695
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...1&d=1547507728
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...1&d=1547507728
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...1&d=1547507728
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...1&d=1547507736

I love this little guitar. I don't know how far away from S.A. You are, but if you're going to Tom's event in March I'd love to play it.

Jimmy Caldwell · #19 01-17-2019, 04:28 PM

I'll be there and I'd love to have you play it.

TomB'sox · #20 01-17-2019, 05:58 PM

Looking forward to meeting you Mr. C.

Jimmy Caldwell · #21 03-12-2019, 09:56 AM

Nemoman · #22 03-12-2019, 10:42 AM

That is one beautiful burst right there!

Tim Porter · #23 03-13-2019, 06:06 AM

Wow, it's gorgeous, Jimmy! Can't wait to see pics of that one when it's done. Best, Tim

TomB'sox · #24 03-13-2019, 09:37 AM

That is a beautiful burst for sure. I look forward to having you hang out with us at B.I.G. Bring good weather with you please.

Jimmy Caldwell · #25 03-25-2019, 09:56 AM

I strung this one up on Saturday and am really pleased with everything about it. I love small bodied guitars, they give you so much in such a compact size. I never get tired of playing them.

I'll forego the tonal descriptions for now, but I will say I'm really pleased. We'll give it a week or so and let it adjust to being a fully functional instrument and then do some tweaking and a final set up before we send it off to it's owner.

A few random pics.

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...1&d=1553528922
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...1&d=1553528922
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...1&d=1553528922
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...1&d=1553529287
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...1&d=1553529287

justonwo · #26 03-25-2019, 02:37 PM

Looks fantastic to me!

Codfather · #27 03-25-2019, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Caldwell

Matthew,

Thanks for asking. This one was a blast to build and even more fun to play. With no one to please but myself and no time constraints, here's what I came up with.

13 fret 00 body Brazilian Rosewood Back & Sides
Torrified Adirondack Spruce Top w/Torrified Sitka Bracing
30 Style Appointments (Ivoroid Trim, 45 Rosette, Rope Purfling)
Boxed End Graft
Unbleached Bone Saddle, Nut, End & Bridge Pins
Ebony Fingerboard & Bridge w/Thru Saddle
Spanish Cedar Neck w/Bird's Beak Joint @ Headstock
Bar Frets
Raw Brass Banjo Tuners w/Tortoise Buttons

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...1&d=1547507695
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...1&d=1547507695
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...1&d=1547507728
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...1&d=1547507728
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...1&d=1547507728
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...1&d=1547507736

That torrified top has a great colour to it👍

oliverkollar · #28 03-25-2019, 05:40 PM

Beautiful work Jimmy!

TomB'sox · #29 03-25-2019, 05:59 PM

Looks great to me also. That is a lovely burst!!!!

Jimmy Caldwell · #30 07-09-2019, 10:34 AM

It's been awhile since I've posted anything and I thought I'd do something a little different. I'm nearing completion of the woodworking phase of a guitar that I've been wanting to build for quite sometime. In the last 10-12 years I've concentrated mainly on vintage style Martin inspired guitars and while I'm still building these, 15-20 years ago I was building quite a different style guitar. This guitar is a compilation of techniques I've borrowed from a number of very talented luthiers, most of whom I've never met but nonetheless whose work I admire and have played a sample or two of their works.

This guitar is very much a prototype and also one whose finish date is unpredictable as it's something I do when I see or hear something that I feel might fit in with the overall concept. I'm posting this in reverse order taking you from the present back to the start with the pics I have available. I hadn't planned on doing a build thread on this so I don't have pics of every stage, but I do have most of it.

Basics of the build are OM cutaway body with BRW back & sides and Lutz spruce top. I'd love to get any feedback anyone might have on either the design aesthetics, tonal target or any other aspect. As I said this is a prototype and the results are TBD. Thanks for looking.

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...1&d=1562689853
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...1&d=1562689875
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...1&d=1562689875
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...1&d=1562689875
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...1&d=1562689875