Summer is Almost Done

Yes I know, but it is true....

Although I have not been doing any building I have got a lots done beside the list of around the house projects, I built a side bender for a Tenor Uke which I will be hopefully using shortly, as well as the inside forms for it and a bending for for the next Tenor Guitar I'll also be starting shortly, I finished upgrading my neck tenon jig and built a little rotating sander for truing up sides.

I built a rotating table for my side bender and Worksharp sharpening system.

I've also started making a new top for my first MandoCello.. and I've got this little side project I'm playing with.. Oh and I seem to have acquired a new scroll saw....

Some Jigs

Worksharp on top

Side Bender on top

Side project, 1/2 size violin repair.. 

GAL Convention & Next Instruments

I was lucky enough to go the the Guild of American Luthier's convention in Tacoma last week. A great event  with lots of good information exchanged and some good music as well.. I also came back with a bit more wood :-)

Summer is a bit too busy and humid for guitar building but I have been working on a number of new jigs & tools and I'll get them posted here sometime in the near future.

Summer is also a good time to sort out the next instrument designs and get all the moulds etc for them built.. This falls projects so far look like a Tenor ukulele build of all Canadian woods and a new Tenor Guitar for me.. Rick's Tenor turned out so well I'm going to make another for myself that hopefully will turn out as good and end up being my sort of go to instrument.. Of course I should just replicate the design I used for Rick but there is no fun in that so I'll be doing a scaled down version of a Gibson LO body. I used the LO body shape for the Mandocello but this one will be about 0.88% of that size and 21.375" scale length again. probably and arm bevel as well but no need for fan frets.

I've been debating the wood as well but it is looking like it will be Zircote & Ancient Sitka Spruce (3000 year old spruce from a bog in Alaska), so it will be a dark looking guitar..

I now officially have more wood than I know what to do with, well not really i know what to do with it I just need time to do it :-)

Some Gal Photos:

Harry Fleishman bass

One of Jeffrey Yong's guitars violates a lot of rules about guitar building but sounds GREAT

Retopped Ovation By Kinnard Guitars with Larry Robinson rosette

Howard Repogle's Ukes

Some more Harry Fleishman guitars

Palour Guitar Finally Done!

That took a while and a wee bit of cursing but done and sounds great..

Wenge Back & Sides
Sinker Western Red Cedar from the Queen Charlotte Island
Narra Neck
Paua Shell trim
Finished with Royal Lac Shellac
24.5" Scale

Getting There....

So the Bridge is glued on and the tuners installed. Looks good I think now just the Nut, saddle & setup to do and I can see how it sounds...

Sound Sample of Rick's Tenor Guitar

Rick was kind enough to record a video of him playing his arrangement of Turlough O'Carolan's Si Bheag Si Mhor. He also starts off with a bit of a video montage of the guitar.

I have to say I'm very happy with how the guitar sounds and how much Rick seems to like it..
Thanks for the video Rick!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7v9rxejlOE&sns=fb

How to Unwind on a Friday Night

Spend a couple of hours French polishing.. got the back & one side done..

Finally - Applying a Finish

Whew, it's taken a bit of time and way to much pore filling & sanding but I just put the first base coats of shellac on the parlour guitar.... Looking forward to seeing how this Royal Lac hardened shellac works out.