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  #1  
Old 03-20-2023, 05:39 PM
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nootis nootis is offline
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Default Wilborn - Nautilus

Hi all,

After a brief email I received from Ben Wilborn a couple of weeks ago, my time has come to where Ben will be thinking about me, everyday, for the next coming weeks. If that sounds like a bromance, it's because it is! At least from my perspective. He will be starting on a Nautilus for me and we chose a really cool set of Brazilian Rosewood that we will be dawning a Carpathian Spruce top with Macassar bindings. For those of you who like specs, I stole these from Ben's website...

Scale Length: Multiscale 25.4 – 24.9"
Frets to Body: 14
Nut Width: 1-13/16"
String Spacing at Saddle: 2-5/16"
Fingerboard Radius: Compound 14 – 20"
Lower Bout Width: 15"
Maximum Body Depth: 4-1/2"


I first knew of Ben probably around 30 years ago. In fact, I grew up in Carson City (30 miles from Reno) and went to college in Reno. When I was in college, we used to go see a band with a fiddle player that always seemed to amaze with his musical chops all the while putting as much passion into the music as possible and thoroughly enjoying himself. The band was called "The Lazy Eights", and at the time, they were becoming fairly popular in the region. In fact, I still have one of their CD's. However, I'm pretty sure they never reached their musical stardom. I can only say this because that passionate fiddle player is now building me a Nautilus! So with that said, Ben: However hard it was on you, I'm glad your initial musical dreams were squashed! Many years later, I attended the Santa Barbara Acoustic Guitar Festival where I met Ben for the first time. At the time, he was building super nice "Period Series" guitars.

I have been intrigued by Ben's "Comma Series" guitars ever since his collaboration with Tom B'Sox and the thread that ensued. Since then, I have been able to play a handful of them, and every one of them have been simply glorious. I finally talked myself into getting on his list (I think shortly after B.I.G. II) and have since visited Ben's shop a couple of times, including the time that we went through his stash where we finally landed on my choices. Needless to say, I couldn't be more excited. Who would have thought that our musical paths would have crossed in this fashion? Having a guitar built by a fellow native Nevadan gives me a little extra pride, especially when it's from the world class luthier that Ben has become. I imagine that Ben is still thoroughly enjoying himself in his current musical realm.

As busy as life has me at the moment, I will make an attempt to update this thread as often as I can. I hope you enjoy the ride.

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Old 03-20-2023, 05:59 PM
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TomB'sox TomB'sox is offline
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Congrats Dan and great story. You can not go wrong with either the builder or this model, I promise you will be blown away.

Thanks for the shout-out by the way. As it turns out, I will be hanging out with Ben the next few days so I apologize for any delay this may cause in your build! I promise it will be worth the wait. He still plays the violin some if you sweet talk him just right!

Can we expect to see you again this fall??? Great lineup coming.

Tom
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Old 03-20-2023, 06:02 PM
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Thanks Tom. If you are visiting him, I hope you brought a jacket!

I will make every effort to attend again. My answer is highly likely.
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Old 03-20-2023, 08:06 PM
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Congratulations, Dan! I loved the background story. Looking forward to following the process. Dave
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Old 03-20-2023, 08:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Carpinteria View Post
Congratulations, Dan! I loved the background story. Looking forward to following the process. Dave
Ben is a treasure. What a fun, positive, engaging gentleman! And he builds exquisite instruments while remaining a consummate musician.

This will be fun to follow

Paul
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Old 03-20-2023, 09:22 PM
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Congrats! I have been incredibly impressed by Ben and his comma series in all the opportunities I've had to experience them.

Your specs are exactly what I would want in that guitar and that back looks gorgeous.
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Old 03-20-2023, 09:38 PM
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Dan! Thanks so much for bringing this along - what a special set of BRW!

I look forward to seeing this come together… and may have a Wilborn NGD coming sometime in the next few weeks.
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Old 03-21-2023, 06:14 AM
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Did all of you get a Nautilus? The Arum I have is also spectacular.
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Old 03-21-2023, 09:41 AM
Nemoman Nemoman is offline
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Count me in as another hearty endorser of Ben, his music, and his guitars!

As the proud owner of the first Arum build, I continue to be enchanted with this creation.

Congrats on your build, Dan--hope to see you at B.I.G. IV and perhaps see this one in person!
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Old 03-21-2023, 10:28 AM
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Congratulations Dan! That looks like a killer set of Brazilian. But where to hang it?
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Old 03-21-2023, 10:36 AM
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Very nice!
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Old 03-21-2023, 10:40 AM
MThomson MThomson is offline
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In my opinion, one of the greatest guitar designs ever. And this looks like it will be a lovely example.
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Old 03-21-2023, 01:55 PM
Aimelie Aimelie is offline
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Following this thread because I’m helpless to do otherwise.



(Gorgeous wood choice, btw.)
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Old 03-22-2023, 12:04 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by soma5 View Post
Did all of you get a Nautilus? The Arum I have is also spectacular.
Maaaayybe.

Mine is due for spring of 2024.
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Old 03-22-2023, 06:49 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by soma5 View Post
Did all of you get a Nautilus? The Arum I have is also spectacular.
Sidewinder, in my case - Mahogany / Adirondack
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