Build Thread - Kramer Prairie Grass - Page 6

jaymarsch · #76 07-12-2019, 10:56 AM

Sparky sent me some quick audio clips of the first musical utterances of my new Prairie Grass. This is recorded on an iPhone by Sparky's wife and then transferred to SoundCloud by me so nothing too sophisticated but it gives you an idea. Sparky's friend, Dean Oertle, is doing the honors. Photos of the finished guitar should reach me by the weekend and on Saturday, July 20th, I will be picking this beauty up and doing my own test drive! Yay!!!!! Thanks for listening.

Best,
Jayne

Gordon Currie · #77 07-12-2019, 12:13 PM

That is one beautiful guitar!

I was able to chat at length with Sparky at La Conner this year and the instrument I played of his was stellar in balance, sustain and dynamics. For my style of playing and what I like to hear, he was one of the top few luthiers this year. I particularly like that he endeavors to control variations by testing and gathering data, refining his process to reduce random variation.

I have no doubt that you will be amazed when you receive this guitar. Only a week and a day!

svea · #78 07-13-2019, 09:55 PM

Tic Toc Tic Toc..... I get to go with Jayne when she takes delivery of this fine guitar. I'll be sure and take some pics of the hand off and everything.

Svea

Guitars44me · #79 07-15-2019, 08:51 AM

Gosh, I am SO late to this party... congrats on a beauty!!!

And the trip to get it sounds Lovley this time of year. Have FUN!

Paul

mountainguitar · #80 07-15-2019, 09:25 AM

What a beautiful guitar! And a wonderful sounding instrument! We'll all be counting down the days with you. 5 and counting...

beth

jaymarsch · #81 07-15-2019, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmh1

What a beautiful guitar! And a wonderful sounding instrument! We'll all be counting down the days with you. 5 and counting...

beth

Thanks so much, Beth. I am really excited about making the trip on Saturday. I am practicing a lot each evening this week so I can make that guitar really sing!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guitars44me

Gosh, I am SO late to this party... congrats on a beauty!!!

And the trip to get it sounds Lovley this time of year. Have FUN!

Paul

Thanks, Paul. The trip should be wonderful. I love that area so it is a double treat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by svea

Tic Toc Tic Toc..... I get to go with Jayne when she takes delivery of this fine guitar. I'll be sure and take some pics of the hand off and everything.

Svea

Getting to hear you play my new guitar is an added treat, Svea! I am so happy that you can make the trip with me and share in the excitement.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon Currie

That is one beautiful guitar!

I was able to chat at length with Sparky at La Conner this year and the instrument I played of his was stellar in balance, sustain and dynamics. For my style of playing and what I like to hear, he was one of the top few luthiers this year. I particularly like that he endeavors to control variations by testing and gathering data, refining his process to reduce random variation.

I have no doubt that you will be amazed when you receive this guitar. Only a week and a day!

Thanks, Gordon. Having played a number of Sparky's guitars over the years, I am just so thrilled to be able to own one. I have always been particularly impressed with the balance, clarity and dynamics of his guitars.

Best,
Jayne

jaymarsch · #82 07-22-2019, 09:15 AM

When I put the order in for this beautiful guitar in February of 2018, I drove with a friend up to Truckee and had a great time in Sparky's shop playing his personal Prairie Grass. It was snowing and 11 degrees outside.

Fast forward to this past Saturday and a lovely trip to Truckee to pick up the finished guitar. A bit different at 79 degrees and sunny!

I am so pleased with this instrument that I cannot even find the words to say how much I love it, so here are a few more pictures of the occasion. As I play the guitar more this week, I will take a few glamour shots to show off some of the details and maybe eventually post a sound clip or two. I couldn't be happier - Sparky did a great job nailing the tone and feel that I wanted in this guitar.

Sparky had the guitar on display and ready for me as I walked into the shop.

Here I am first getting my hands on it to play and some shots of me and Sparky with the guitar. He was very pleased with how it turned out and my friend Svea (a forum member here), loved it. It was great to hear both of them play it.

This picture has reflection of the overhead lights - looks like the guitar has racing stripes. LOL!

Thanks for taking this journey with me. Sparky had intended to take some studio shots but he has been busy with repair work and, of course, building the next guitars on his build list. He's a one-man shop so I really appreciated him taking the time to share the building process with me.

Best,
Jayne

BrunoBlack · #83 07-22-2019, 09:29 AM

There you are without your (double) winter fleece. That’s a killer guitar Jayne! I really like the lines on this model. I expect this will bring you much joy. Nice.

mountainguitar · #84 07-22-2019, 09:30 AM

Congratulations Jayne!!!! I thought of you this weekend, picking up a guitar that you so clearly researched as being a great fit for you. It really is a beautiful instrument. Enjoy playing her!!!

beth

DanR · #85 07-22-2019, 09:41 AM

The wait is over. Big congrats on finally having that fine guitar in your hands.

Enjoy!

El Conquistador · #86 07-22-2019, 09:45 AM

I am a big fan of Sparky's work, and this is a particularly beautiful example. Congratulations.

Steve

jaymarsch · #87 07-22-2019, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Conquistador

I am a big fan of Sparky's work, and this is a particularly beautiful example. Congratulations.

Steve

Thanks, Steve. After following his work over the years, I am over the moon to be a happy owner of one his guitars.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanR

The wait is over. Big congrats on finally having that fine guitar in your hands.

Enjoy!

People will tell you they could never wait that long for a custom instrument but the time actually went by pretty quickly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmh1

Congratulations Jayne!!!! I thought of you this weekend, picking up a guitar that you so clearly researched as being a great fit for you. It really is a beautiful instrument. Enjoy playing her!!!

beth

Thanks, Beth!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haasome

There you are without your (double) winter fleece. That’s a killer guitar Jayne! I really like the lines on this model. I expect this will bring you much joy. Nice.

Much more fun playing a guitar with one layer of clothing rather than six!
Sparky has an interesting aesthetic in taking the traditional slope shoulder shape and scaling it down a bit and adding his unique pick guard shape that combines a contemporary look with more traditional lines. I was curious how the more modern Gotoh buttons would look on the paddle head stock but it turns out that it kind of balances with the pick guard shape and I think works really well.

Best,
Jayne

iim7V7IM7 · #88 07-22-2019, 02:41 PM

Congrats on your new guitar...

svea · #89 07-22-2019, 04:29 PM

I had fun traveling with Jayne to pick up her new custom Kramer. Wow! It is a marvelous guitar. It's very balanced and all the notes really pop. I also like the 25" scale and the neck shape. I think Jayne has a new lifetime music partner for certain with this one.

Svea

DanR · #90 07-22-2019, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaymarsch

Sparky has an interesting aesthetic in taking the traditional slope shoulder shape and scaling it down a bit and adding his unique pick guard shape that combines a contemporary look with more traditional lines.

I was impressed by how the contour of the pickguard transitioned with the rosette. Very nice!