Official Luthiers Forum!

Well I finally finished my 1800's Parlor Style steel string.

First I want to thank the people that answered some of my stupid questions about building my first guitar. I probably should have stuck to something a bit more traditional but I can't just leave anything stock or out of the box...

It has been just over a year since I started this and have learned more than I even thought I would.

So here are the spec's:

Started as a custom LMI kit.

14 fret 24.9 scale

East Indian Rosewood Sides and Back

Sitka Spruce Top

Ebony Fretboard bound with ebony and rounded off fret ends

Custom made Ebony Bridge

Mystery Rosewood bindings (hand bent)

17 layer Maple and Peruvian Walnut Perflings

Hand Rubbed French Polished finish. True French Polishing which has not been rubbed out with compound or sanded with sandpaper (only pumice)

East Indian Rosewood Headstock veneer with Peruvian Walnut veneer on the back of the headstock.

Ebony Inlay at the seam of the perfling (my very first inlay)

Tru-Oil neck finish (thinner on the back of the neck to keep the wood grain exposed)

Set up with D'Adderio Custom Light strings and very low action (.060 low E and .040 High E)

Plays pretty nice and has a good sound for a small parlor and for my first I am pretty happy with it.

There are a few little flaws in it that I wish I could go back and fix but I learned a lot and I am sure the next on will be better.

Cheers,
Bob

A couple more shots:

Thanks for looking

Bob

Wow! She's a beauty!

_________________
wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

You know what Robert, that's one fine looking guitar.
Especially for a first!
Love the retro look, and like the execution.
Got the taste for it now?

_________________
The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

That's awesome!

I love seeing different builds that aren't the same as everyone else's.

And you know, despite what flaws it may have, I'm not seeing them. The woodwork looks tight and well done, and the neck joint is fitted properly with no obvious gaps.

I bet it plays and sounds nice too. Good job!

_________________
Old growth, shmold growth!

Beautiful guitar.

_________________
Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

It reminds me so much of a Torres guitar.
Just love the natural colors.

_________________
wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

That is a really sweet looking guitar, Robert! Any chance of a sound bite? I'd love to hear how it sounds.

Alex

_________________
"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Very well done!

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Thanks guys, It is nice to hear your comments. Having seen some stunning guitars posted here at OLF I feel mine is a nice guitar but just doesn't compete with some of the creations I have seen from you guys. I just loosely copied a picture of a German Parlor I found on the Internet so I didn't create anything new... actually I created something old...

@theguitarwhisperer
Thanks for the compliment on the wood working, I pride myself on doing things right and not accepting slopy work, especially doing neck resets and keeping joints tight. As far as flaws... Well there are a few, a couple keep jumping out at me like the fact I didn't get the holes even for the tuners even though I used a jig. They don't meet up in the center and are off by just a hair. The other one is that darn purfling joint at the bottom, I didn't manage to line up the strips where they meet so I had to put that inlay in to cover it... AND then I managed to get it in a bit crooked... My first inlay but still...

@Alex Kleon

I just recently got my sound system set up so I will try and get a decent recording of it. With the custom lite strings on it it seems to have a very well balanced sound and it surprisingly has quite a bit of sustain. I do mostly finger picking with no pics so it is a bit quiet but if I use a pick it seems to have pretty good volume for a small body. Over all I am pleased with the sound. I will get it recorded so you can hear how it sounds.

Thanks again for all the nice comments guys. And for the help you have given me. Having repaired guitars for a good part of my 60 years I thought this would be a piece of cake but I found out differently that building and repairing are do different beasts...

Cheers,
Bob

Very nice. It's really cool to see someone building a romantic type design. I've got a couple similar guitars in the works... I hope they come out looking as good as yours.

You knocked it out of the park Bob my friend - absolutely beautiful in all respects!!!!!

Looks like that complicated purfling scheme that you showed us in Ann Arbor did the trick too, looks great. I also really like the fret board extension treatment and think that this design might look very cool on not only a period piece but a contemporary instrument as well. You may want to continue this design feature on your future 100+ guitars too.

The FP looks great too and the reflective level is pretty telling that you must have one sore elbow....

The next time you come on over to see us please bring this one and we can sit around and jam a bit.

Great work, one of the very best first (or 20th) guitars that I have ever seen on the OLF!

She's a beauty and that FP finish is awesome, I am working on my 3rd which is a dred and my first solo build, going to be a gift for my brother. Just about done, and plan on using the Ubeaut hard shellac FP process. If I get it to look half as good as this, I would be happy.

_________________
_____________________________

Kurt Thomas

"There's a first time for everything even if you do it by mistake."

That is absolutely great. Very impressed. Congratulations, you're hooked.

Tim

Looks like a nice parlor shape, Bob. Is it ladder braced? How wide is the lower bout?
More of a traditionalist myself, but you did a very, very nice job on this instrument!

Is it safe to assume you made the bridge on this as well?

_________________
Old growth, shmold growth!

@Hesh,



Well I wouldn't go that far, I have seen some very beautiful instruments on this forum from new builders. I guess mine is just a bit different since I have been charmed by the Romantic Era period of building. I know I will continue building in this style since I have the bug now...

And thank you for the compliment on the FP. It is a lot of work but I really enjoy the time getting intimate with wood. I guess I am fortunate because I was taught by a lady named Ruth back in the early 70's who was a real pro with it. She retired and I took her position and she really took a liking to me and took the time to share her knowledge of repairing and applying FP.


@KThomas,
Thank you, I have not used Ubeaut hard shellac but it sounds like an interesting product. I am wondering if it is more of a rubbing varnish since it has additives in it. I may have to get some and give it a try. That is the one thing about FP is it is a rather delicate finish. But it can be repaired very easily if you know how to handle it.

@timoM
Hooked? Yes indeed.

@Haans.
Thanks for the compliment, Coming from you that is very nice. As far as the shape, It started out life as the LMI Parlor kit. The plans are the S. Anties Small Concert Parlor. The bracing is standard X braced and the lower bout is 12 3/8"

I plan on building another one but I am thinking of using ladder bracing on it based on some of the early models. That should also give a more period sound as well.

@theguitarwhisperer,
Yes I did make that bridge. It was actually another one of those little mistakes... The round ends with the MOP dots were suppose to be a little larger than they are. I slip of my jewelers saw changed my plans...


Cheers,
Bob

Don't know what I like the best. That little beauty has it all !!! Well done

_________________
Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Very nice Rob!!!

_________________
Brad

I really like slotheads, and your's looks great. The French polish is super.

Well it comes across as very symmetrical and nicely carved! I think the dimensions fit the guitar's character nicely.

I'm looking for some inspiration on the bridge for a guitar I'm working on right now. I like the MOP dots and may try to incorporate those somehow.

_________________
Old growth, shmold growth!

Wow, I think the bar has been raised for first timers. If mine looks half as good I'd be happy.

_________________
久保
美智え

Really gorgeous work. The other comments say it all! Well done!

Very nice. I wasn't sure i read right about the 17 layers of purfling and then... bonk! There it is! I'm not sure what my reaction is to the design... It's definatly interesting and works well together. I would have thought it would put me off but it doesn't at all. I know that doesn't sound like a roaring endorsement but it really is.

I am really impressed with the FP. I keep wavering between what i'd like to do for mine and you have put FP back in the forefront for me. Nice job!

What a cool guitar! I love the designs from that era too.
It looks great.

_________________
Burton
http://www.legeytinstruments.com
Brookline, MA.