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Old 07-27-2018, 01:09 PM
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Larry Pattis Larry Pattis is offline
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Default Thomas Rein Osage Orange build...Video added!

I'm now in the midst of rebuilding a small guitar-collection, having settled-in on 25"/24.9" as a "standard" scale length.

The first guitar (last Fall) I had really bonded with (tonally and in every other way) when I was examining full-scale (25.4") guitars again was a RJN-3C from Tom Rein...his "3" model is essentially an OM with a slightly "classical" flavor, shape-wise...and the "RJN" stands for Tom's adjustable neck-angle feature, which has proved to be a great feature...

...so when I did then decide to move forward in replacing the 25.4" Rein, the obvious direction was to commission a new, slightly shorter scale guitar from Tom!

We agreed on an experiment with Osage Orange, which many of you know is a wood whose tap-tone resembles Brazilian, but is a domestic wood that can most easily be found in sizes that require a 4-piece back, which would have been fine with me.

However, Tom had one set of O.O. that was full-sized, and rather straight-grained...visually a good thing for me, if not somewhat plain. I'm more than "good" with this, for sure!

Tom also recommended a Euro moon spruce top that he had, something from Switzerland, and with a "FSC" designation...FSC is Forestry Stewardship Council. They give their certification to companies who practice sustainable forestry.

So we're using rather responsible-woods for the top/back & sides...and Tom has now also purchased some other full-sets of Osage Orange for future-builds. Good deal.

This guitar will have some of my usual specs for fingerboard widths/geometry (tapering a bit wider), and will use a 2-1/4" bridge spacing.

I'm excited that this guitar has now been started! Here are a few initial photos that Tom sent...we'll see what his time permits for additional photos...I'll try to keep this thread updated as possible.

Thanks to Tom for sharing this ride with me...should be a great instrument...







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Last edited by Larry Pattis; 02-23-2019 at 03:52 PM.
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Old 07-27-2018, 01:24 PM
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justonwo justonwo is offline
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Looks awesome, Larry. Glad to hear you’re able to play the longer scales again. Hope that means you’ve found sustainable/reliable pain management. That Osage orange is knockout wood. That’s going to make one hell of a guitar.

What do you think of Osage orange relative to pernambuco?
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Old 07-27-2018, 02:24 PM
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iim7V7IM7 iim7V7IM7 is offline
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Larry, that’s a beautiful, quartersawn set of Osage Orange... Osage Orange will usually significantly darken across time into more of a lighter brown hue due mostly to photo-instability. My Black Cherry and Pernambuco guitars have both darkened over time from their initial state. Keep that in mind when making design decisions.
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Old 07-27-2018, 03:25 PM
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Larry Pattis Larry Pattis is offline
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Default Thomas Rein Osage Orange build...underway!

Quote:
Originally Posted by justonwo View Post
Looks awesome, Larry. Glad to hear you’re able to play the longer scales again. Hope that means you’ve found sustainable/reliable pain management. That Osage orange is knockout wood. That’s going to make one hell of a guitar.



What do you think of Osage orange relative to pernambuco?




I've actually never played or heard (to my knowledge) a Pernambuco guitar...





Quote:
Originally Posted by iim7V7IM7 View Post
Larry, that’s a beautiful, quartersawn set of Osage Orange... Osage Orange will usually significantly darken across time into more of a lighter brown hue due mostly to photo-instability. My Black Cherry and Pernambuco guitars have both darkened over time from their initial state. Keep that in mind when making design decisions.


Thanks, Bob...will do!



The more I look at the photos, the more I like the overall look of the O.O...and the trim we chose for the backstrip...we'll see how things look on the rest of the guitar!
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Last edited by Larry Pattis; 07-27-2018 at 05:49 PM.
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Old 07-28-2018, 09:15 AM
Michael Watts Michael Watts is offline
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Congratulations Larry! It's great to see another build with your name on it! I look forward to watching this one progress.
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Old 07-28-2018, 09:30 AM
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Looking forward to seeing this one develop. Thomas Rein is an awesome builder!
Steve
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Old 07-28-2018, 10:07 AM
jaymarsch jaymarsch is offline
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This is great news, Larry. I have discovered that a 25” scale length hits the sweet spot for me as well.
Osage orange is an intriguing choice and I will be happily following this thread to its wonderful conclusion- hearing you play the finished guitar.

Best,
Jayne
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Old 07-28-2018, 10:44 AM
ishtar ishtar is offline
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Stunning! Love the Osage Orange!
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Old 07-28-2018, 11:16 AM
DamianL DamianL is offline
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Well that’s looking great...

I always wondered if Osage would look good with a burst?

Maybe a nice antiquey tobacco burst?

D
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Old 07-28-2018, 04:36 PM
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Steve Kinnaird Steve Kinnaird is offline
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I'm awed by that piece of wood--fabulous. The trees are as shrubby as they can be, so finding one that well quartered without little pin knots is a real treasure.
I know you'll enjoy it!

Steve
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Old 07-29-2018, 06:05 AM
Tim Porter Tim Porter is offline
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Can't wait to hear you play this one, bro'. Tim
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Old 07-29-2018, 07:20 AM
Richard Mott Richard Mott is offline
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Hi Larry—Just to add my own experience with a piece of Osage Orange that I got from the heart of a fallen tree, its final hue was almost identical to Honduran mahogany, a beautiful rust color and not lemon at all. Its tap tone is incredible. —Richard
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Old 07-29-2018, 07:50 AM
mercy mercy is offline
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Should be called Osage Yellow. I like the idea of a burst.
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Old 07-29-2018, 08:02 AM
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iim7V7IM7 iim7V7IM7 is offline
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Larry here is a website with a number of photos of newly cut and aged Osage Orange...

http://hobbithouseinc.com/personal/w...e%20orange.htm
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Old 07-29-2018, 08:28 AM
chasapple chasapple is offline
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An LP build is always exciting to follow. One of my favorite quotes on this forum over the past year (i am paraphrasing) was when Larry said, "realizing that someday I will be dead, I decided to commission a new guitar". Words to live by.
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