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2020 commemorative build - 'new horizons'(restored photos)
First, I just want to take a quick moment to thank all those involved in the leadership and monitoring of the AGF. I greatly appreciate all aspects of this forum and how it is run. It was recently pointed out to me that my sponsorship status had expired. I remedied the situation immediately. I felt rather embarrassed that I had somehow missed the renewal notice. (am I getting old and forgetful? YIKES. no, I am sure this was a freak moment....) I am more than interested in helping to keep this forum alive and available. It is a wonderful community to be a part of, particularly the custom shop section.
I have met a number of wonderful luthiers who contribute to this forum, while exhibiting at shows together like LaConner, Vancouver, Wintergrass, Portland, etc. (remember the good ole days?) It has been without exception, a privilege and honor to become friends with many them. 2020 has been a most difficult year for many of us. The loss, pain, fear of the future, and on it goes. But I just want to say how much I cherish my friendships with all of my luthier friends, all my clients I have built guitars for, all my relationships with folks in the music community. Because I just want to affirm that we are involved in some of the most important and meaningful work in the world. The therapy of music is unmatched. It is one of the most effective healing agents mankind has ever known and it is a profound privilege to be a part of it. Perhaps it is as important now in our history as it has ever been. So please press on, hold those you love very close, and lean into the music that will help us and keep hope alive. That said I wanted to post a recent build I did that was inspired by what 2020 has brought. I will include a link to a youTube video to help describe the story of it along with some photos. If you do take the time to view the video, you'll get a better feel for the idea behind the build. I also was intentional about choosing french polish as the finish for this guitar as it is in keeping with the theme. As you know, french polish is a wonderful finish but a very fragile one. One that will mark and scare rather easily which in some ways represents a more real life experience, that of, at times we find ourselves holding visible pain and agony with love and even joy all at the same time. Thanks for looking. The guitar is my parlor model. 12-fret 24.9 scale. Bastogne walnut back and sides (5-piece) Sitka spruce top bolivian rosewood finger board and bridge padauk bindings 1 3/4 at the nut, 2 1/4 at the saddle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctlm-H2bu8U&t=26s
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Wayne Irvin Johnson www.irvinguitars.com my current guitars; 2014 personal build eir/cedar 25.4 2020 Irvin SJ eir/tunnel 13 redwood top 25.5 guitars I have owned; 1977 Martin D-28 2006 Tom Doerr Legacy Select 1956 Gretsch White Falcon 2011 Taylor GA3e 1967 Silvertone 1969 Stella Harmony Last edited by WayneJohnson; 11-17-2020 at 09:29 AM. Reason: restored photos |
#2
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WELL PUT, SIR!
"2020 has been a most difficult year for many of us. The loss, pain, fear of the future, and on it goes. But I just want to say how much I cherish my friendships with all of my luthier friends, all my clients I have built guitars for, all my relationships with folks in the music community. Because I just want to affirm that we are involved in some of the most important and meaningful work in the world. The therapy of music is unmatched. It is one of the most effective healing agents mankind has ever known and it is a profound privilege to be a part of it. Perhaps it is as important now in our history as it has ever been. So please press on, hold those you love very close, and lean into the music that will help us and keep hope alive."
I couldn't agree more Having had the wonderful privilege of playing solo acoustic for healthcare and senior facilities 15-25 or more times a month for the last 9 years, I sure agree about the healing aspects of live music. It was impossible to miss! I hope to get to continue when this mess is under control. Everyone hang in there and stay healthy! Beautiful instrument! Salud Paul
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3 John Kinnaird SS 12c CUSTOMS: Big Maple/Cedar Dread Jumbo Spanish Cedar/WRC Jumbo OLD Brazilian RW/WRC R.T 2 12c sinker RW/Claro 96 422ce bought new! 96 LKSM 12 552ce 12x12 J. Stepick Bari Weissy WRC/Walnut More Last edited by TomB'sox; 11-16-2020 at 09:07 AM. Reason: amended quote |
#3
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Quote:
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Wayne Irvin Johnson www.irvinguitars.com my current guitars; 2014 personal build eir/cedar 25.4 2020 Irvin SJ eir/tunnel 13 redwood top 25.5 guitars I have owned; 1977 Martin D-28 2006 Tom Doerr Legacy Select 1956 Gretsch White Falcon 2011 Taylor GA3e 1967 Silvertone 1969 Stella Harmony Last edited by TomB'sox; 11-16-2020 at 09:07 AM. Reason: amended quote |
#4
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Nice thread and thoughts Wayne. It is good to remember just how much music (and guitars) mean to us and others, particularly this year.
And great that you used walnut, one of my favourite woods. I might go and play my walnut guitar now! |
#5
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Quote:
thanks for the kind words. I have loved working with walnut it has proved to be a wonderful tonewood.
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Wayne Irvin Johnson www.irvinguitars.com my current guitars; 2014 personal build eir/cedar 25.4 2020 Irvin SJ eir/tunnel 13 redwood top 25.5 guitars I have owned; 1977 Martin D-28 2006 Tom Doerr Legacy Select 1956 Gretsch White Falcon 2011 Taylor GA3e 1967 Silvertone 1969 Stella Harmony |
#6
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Hi Wayne, glad I caught this thread, and thanks for posting!
The guitar sounds great, by the way. But "Burned Walnut"? Did you flame-treat the wood? It's quite attractive. Steve K |
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Congrats on a great looking guitar and the sentiment behind its building! And thank you for your support of the AGF.
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PS. I love guitars! |
#8
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Little did I know that several weeks after I built the guitar, my wife's brother was found dead in his Brooklyn apartment. He had taken his own life, he was just 53. In our 35 years of marriage I had never experienced such grief and agony of the heart that I watch my wife go through. She is beginning to heal now, and we have drawn even deeper and closer together through it, but this type of death brings very unique challenges. It did make the guitar even more meaningful as the family requested my son, daughter and myself perform some of her brother's favorite songs during his memorial service, affirming again to me the profound importance and impact music has in our healing process. It gave me a greater appreciation for what all of us luthiers are privileged to do. It is far more than a passion for wood and steel, it goes way beyond that.
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Wayne Irvin Johnson www.irvinguitars.com my current guitars; 2014 personal build eir/cedar 25.4 2020 Irvin SJ eir/tunnel 13 redwood top 25.5 guitars I have owned; 1977 Martin D-28 2006 Tom Doerr Legacy Select 1956 Gretsch White Falcon 2011 Taylor GA3e 1967 Silvertone 1969 Stella Harmony |
#9
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Thanks Tom, really appreciate it.
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Wayne Irvin Johnson www.irvinguitars.com my current guitars; 2014 personal build eir/cedar 25.4 2020 Irvin SJ eir/tunnel 13 redwood top 25.5 guitars I have owned; 1977 Martin D-28 2006 Tom Doerr Legacy Select 1956 Gretsch White Falcon 2011 Taylor GA3e 1967 Silvertone 1969 Stella Harmony |