Nylon string goodness. Joel Austin Guitars Giant Sequoia/Bastogne walnut Sound Sample

[Tim McKnight]

Originally Posted by El Conquistador

Here is a teaser, and Tim, this is what you are going to get.



Steve

Thanks Steve!

[colins]

And here was me thinking Manzanita was the guy that played guitar for Roxy Music.

[Howard Emerson]

Originally Posted by colins

And here was me thinking Manzanita was the guy that played guitar for Roxy Music.

Actually it's the daughter of The Doors' keyboard player.

You're welcome.

HE

[El Conquistador]

As I said in my op, Dave had already started on my guitar, so, I have a couple of progress pictures:

Cutting out the sound hole (or, at least one of them)



Beginning the bracing on the top.



Love that Giant Sequoia! Things are looking good.

Steve

[tkoehler1]

wow those fans are much longer than usual I think. It will be interesting to hear this guitar. Looks like a million bucks!

TK

[El Conquistador]

Well, it's been a productive week at Joel Austin Guitars.





Here is Dave's view of the Sierra's:



Setting up the Spanish heel:


Setting the peones. (Ummm, Spanish Cedar smells great):



Top ready to go:



Another View:



And the back is looking good:



Starting to look like a guitar:



Well, I am excited.

Steve

[colins]

Thanks Steve,

Seems like he's using different kerfling for the top and the bottom too.

Col

[SJ VanSandt]

This is a very intriguing creation. I see that his other guitars also have the split-level soundhole - sort of his signature look, I guess. It's going to take some getting used to, to be honest, but it's a clever way to visually balance (or does it accentuate?) this type of cutaway.

Are you opting for a full-on classical fretboard, or is this going to be a crossover, with a radius and narrower nut?

[El Conquistador]

Originally Posted by colins

Thanks Steve,

Seems like he's using different kerfling for the top and the bottom too.

Col

Col,
Having been a creative writing major, I do not pretend to know anything about building a guitar. I am only able to post the pictures of the build, and am barely able to do that. I do know that his builds are inspired by classical builder Kevin Aram, including his finish, but, more on that later. But I will ask Dave.

STeve

[El Conquistador]

Originally Posted by SJ VanSandt

This is a very intriguing creation. I see that his other guitars also have the split-level soundhole - sort of his signature look, I guess. It's going to take some getting used to, to be honest, but it's a clever way to visually balance (or does it accentuate?) this type of cutaway.

Are you opting for a full-on classical fretboard, or is this going to be a crossover, with a radius and narrower nut?

Honestly,
When I first saw one of Dave's guitars, I was immediately reminded of Paul McGill's Picasso classical guitar which I have always always admired:


I was thinking the offset was simply a design element, but, once I played it, I realized it was the perfect cutaway. And, rather than "getting used to" it, I took to it right away. It is one of the things I really like about Dave's design.

As far as crossover, while Dave did not intend it to be, it really sort of is. The one I played with a 2" nut was just sooo easy to play which has not been my experience with classical guitars. And, the offset design gives me complete access to the 14th fret. Not just sort of able to reach it, but, complete access. He does not radius the fingerboard.

By my request, mine will have a 1 7/8" nut to make it even more playable for my thumb wrapping smaller hands, so I am expecting it to be an very smooth "crossover" from my steel string guitars.

Steve

[El Conquistador]

Manzanita end graf:



End graf completed:



Building the soundport. Dave & I discussed the placement of the soundport that he believes contributes to the treble response of his guitars. Given that I will be playing this guitar leaning back in my easy chair, a soundport on the upper bout would pretty much be blocked by my body. So we decided to place it on the lower bout allowing it to not only reach my ears, but, also allowing it to be a little bit larger than what would fit on the upper bout:



Getting very close:



Hopefully next week.

Steve

[SJ VanSandt]

Love the color of that Sequoia top - really, all of the woods are fantastic. I'm looking forward to seeing this under finish.

[colins]

Steve and Dave...it's looking awesome!

[Deft Tungsman]

Love this build thread.

Clearly, you get more when you're El Conquistador.

[Cocobolo Kid]

Originally Posted by Deft Tungsman

Love this build thread.

Clearly, you get more when you're El Conquistador.

So true!!! (and funny, thanks for the laugh Deft)