Sexauer ‘23

[Bruce Sexauer]

Originally Posted by nootis

That's great Bruce and must feel wonderful.

There's also another potential customer (or current customer) lurking behind the scenes, for someone knew what the perfect gift was!

I hope too find out what you mean by this coded message!

[The Bard Rocks]

If the giver knew enough about your work to know he'd love it, then perhaps the giver will get one too.

[Bruce Sexauer]

I have learned more: The giver has had one of my JB BRW “Dream-series” guitars for several years. He apparently has quite a few guitars by Top makers, and chose to give one of mine. The story keeps getting richer!

I am going like crazy on the current WRX build. WRX takes a lot less time than my main-stream work, and it looks like this one may go into finish after only 7 days of build time. It is my intention to bring it to Artisan as an “affordable” Sexauer. . . Unless someone snags it in advance that moment. Who knows, maybe it won’t be as good as my last couple of hundred guitars. Fat chance.

[Bruce Sexauer]

Here is a snap of the Red Narra FT-15 as of bedtime last night:

[Bruce Sexauer]

Red Narra is transformed by the first coat of Varnish . . . and the red/black pore filler:

[Treenewt]

My word that is a transformation! Beautiful work as always Bruce!

[Bruce Sexauer]

The difference between the first and second varnish coats is fairly subtle, but maybe you can see it.





Why I say "AA Master"



Pernambuco, as is the binding.

[Bruce Sexauer]

How much Red Narra can you take? Let's move on to the next guitar.

This is a commissioned piece, my first of 2023. I know I said I wasn't taking any more commissions, but I misjudged myself. It turns out I had forgotten how much I LIKE working with other people. Sam saw through my little ruse, and I am making him an interesting guitar.

I call this an FT-14.5-Kerala. Half way between an FT-14 and an FT-15, and cleaving as close as possible to the Martin aesthetic. . . well, not that close, as it will have 13 frets to the body, a side port, and my subtle body wedge. Details, details, details.

The top is Hampton Bros. best, which I acquired at Woodstock last fall, but they cut around 10 years ago. The back and sides are Honduran Mahogany that I have had for 30 years, and was said to have been stored in Marin county for another 30 years before I got it. I've use a lot of its sister wood, and it is excellent.

[Bruce Sexauer]

If this were European, it would be AAA. But since it is Adirondack, it is off the scale.

[sinistral]

Originally Posted by Bruce Sexauer

If this were European, it would be AAA. But since it is Adirondack, it is off the scale.

It’s like in the Tour de France where climbs are classified on a scale from 4 to 1, with 4 being the hardest on the scale. But then the French being French, there are climbs that are harder than Catégorie 1, referred to as Hors Catégorie, or beyond categorization. Sort of like an amplifier that goes to 11.

That top is hors catégorie.

[iim7V7IM7]

Yes Bruce, that Red Spruce soundboard from Matt is a stunner indeed… (and the mahogany is the”stuff” as well).

[OM28V]

Stunning perfection! I wonder how many top sets that tree provided.

After closely following the Master Grade Tops thread and analyzing all POV's regarding tone vs. looks, I would choose a top like this in the competent hands of a master like Bruce all day long.

If a guitar doesn't appeal to me both visually and tonally, I'm less likely to buy it. Life's too short for runout. Lol

[Bruce Sexauer]

I didn't see it mentioned in the Master Top thread, but there is no such thing as a top w/o run out, it is more a matter of degree. At a certain point it become easier to spot.

[OM28V]

Originally Posted by Bruce Sexauer

I didn't see it mentioned in the Master Top thread, but there is no such thing as a top w/o run out, it is more a matter of degree. At a certain point it become easier to spot.

That makes sense. I find it peculiar that when visually prevalent it sometimes only appears from certain lit angles and other angles not at all.

Off topic - Years ago I asked you to share your varnishing technique. I've used that process on a few builds with great results. I'm grateful and enjoy following your builds.

[Bruce Sexauer]

I have decided to admit defeat in my efforts to retire, and have revised my price list and my business approach (attitude) to reflect the fact.