I like having reasons to celebrate; a birthday, an anniversary or an important order. This time I am celebrating the completion of guitar number 300. While it is true that for a 61-year-old 300 guitars is a modest achievement, I am very happy with it. I have also been able to travel, spend time with my family and enjoy other pursuits which give me satisfaction. The majority of guitars I have made are classical concert guitars of a model which I have “perfected” over years of building. A smaller number are flamencas, Torres copies, and copies of a Santos and Simplicio. A very few could be considered one-offs like an acoustic, a four-string bass, a few copies of other historic guitars and custom orders. Number 300 was a concert guitar with spruce and Indian rosewood which is a great combination.
Specialty Tools From Music City Bridge
The most important tools for guitar-making are saws, chisels, planes and sandpaper. Having said that, shop-made jigs are extremely useful for accuracy and repeatability, power tools can speed things up if used safely and according to the craftsman’s high standards. There are also a myriad of specialty “lutherie” tools on the market which should be bought only after careful consideration. If they improve accuracy, speed things up, allow you to do something otherwise impossible then they are a great investment. Otherwise leave them on the shelf for the amateurs.
These two things I found on the Music City Bridge website are well thought out and useful. The first is the crack repair system which eliminates a few of the typical problems with this repair. These are: incorrect placement, sloppy glue stains and roughly shaped cleats. The second is a jack which should save you the time it takes to make a custom height support post each time you need one for interior work.
Guitar made by Rolf Eichinger
Here is a new opportunity for anyone who wants to own a Rolf Eichinger guitar. As you will know if you follow me, Rolf was the master builder who taught me the most important lessons in this world of guitar. This particular guitar was built with very lightweight wood in an attempt to make the lightest guitar he had ever made. It has been played professionally by the same owner since it was purchased. You can judge the beauty of the wood for yourself and I imagine you could get a sound sample from the owner. Contact me if you are interested and I will pass on his contact details.
Cedar top
Rosewood back and sides
640 scale
made in 1999 – the year I met Rolf
Kraken Tuners
I received some new guitar tuners last week and I like the look of them. I will be paying attention to what clients have to say about them. So far I like that they are lighter weight than some others and they have tension screws. I am sorry I can’t give you more information but here is the webpage so you can contact them yourselves.
Cuarteto de Guitarras de Andalucía
A new video from these four fantastic guitarists. Javier Riba plays his Torres copy that I made in 2005. See it on youtube.
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