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I'm about to build a dread that will be a demo guitar that will be aimed toward the bluegrass community.  My "bread and butter" guitar so far has been one out of Indian Rosewood and an Adi top.  I have been looking at other woods, such as ziricote, Honduran rosewood, cocobolo, etc, even BRW.  My question is especially for you guys who build for a living.  Would you build a demo out of the Indian rosewood, since it is so common to guitars, or would you step over to some of the other woods?  Would you go all out and use the BRW (I know your answer to that one, Hesh !)?I already have a mahogany guitar as a demo, and just wanted something somewhere on the other side of the spectrum.  I guess I am considering something that lies somewhere tonally between EIR and BRW.  Thanks for you input!

Brad

 

My opinion...talk to Bluegrass players and find out what they want. Once you know that and can define the tonal and playability preferences then build until you reach those goals.

I'm a bit confused about your term "demo"...maybe it's just me. Is it possible you want to build a series of guitars to "demo" the range of possibilities? I have no idea how many guitars you have built, but it's highly unlikely you will achieve your goal on the first one.

Can you further clarify your intention?

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

 well bluegrass  guitars  have traditionaly ( exclusivly for many years ) been martin D-18's (mahogany/spruce), and D- 28's( rosewood/spruce), I know some of the gifted modern builders have been able to break through the gauntlet. good luck . Jody

JJ, I've built 17 guitars and all but 3 have been Indian Rosewood.  Bluegrassers seem to like the Indian rosewood ones, and they seem to like the tone they are getting out of them.  I know they like something bassy, and will "cut".  These guys want to be heard along with a mandolin and a banjo, so they want a loud guitar with good tone...a hard plate to fill.  The BRW one that I built is probably the loudest, punchiest one of all of them, and it has good even tone and projection.  I am basically going to build this guitar as one to be taken to bluegrass festivals and such, and I already have a mahogany one.  Come to think of it, I do have one out of EIR, but it was my first one, and not quite as refined as the others.  It sounds good, and has sold quite a few guitars, but I was looking to build another one for show that looks a little better.  I guess my basic question would be if I should build a "bread and butter" guitar; unbound fb and peghead, etc, or one with many of the "add ons".  I am leaning toward one with some add ons. I just think it is easier for someone to tell me they don't want the add ons they see.  I just thought I'd toss the question in here and see what comes back, since this place is such a good think tank. 

Honduran Rosewood would be what I would do if I wanted the glassy tone of BRW at 1/3 the price.  Sapwood would be a plus too....

Thanks, Brad...now I get it! Sounds like you already have an audience and reputation.

My opinion would be to show your abilities to their fullest with the idea that you could make a minimalist guitar should the customer desire...show your skills as to mitered purfs, pearl & abalone inlays, etc. Having several guitars that show differences in tone, volume, sustain as well as different woods can only help.

Good luck!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com