Official Luthiers Forum!

Thanks, you guys!
I really hope that for one or two of you, some of this sticks. I hope some of you might be interested in a different path than the AGF or Martin style. It is a very different style of guitar suited to fingerpicking (not fingerstyle). Right now, the only ones that are building these kinds of instruments that I know of are Tony Clauson of New Era Guitars and Tod Cambio from Fraulini Guitars. I would really hate to see it all go down the drain...

Very nice Haans, remind me when I hit the jackpot to have you build me a nice brown oak guitar...

_________________
Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Awesomeness!

_________________
Pat

Thanks guys!
John, I had heard somewhere that you had quit building. If you are still building, I surely would add your name to Clauson and Cambio.
If you are wanting a guitar, we would have to meet in the next universe...I'm done.

An update on the two guitars being finished for me. As some may recall, one is a Larson GC-6, the other is a Stella BBQ Bob 12, also white oak.
My friend David has patiently been applying Cardinal lacquer to the stripped, re-filled and stained back and sides of each.



From the photos he sent, they are almost ready to have a few thinned coats applied, then they will dry and sent to St. Paul Guitar repair where Ron and Michele will buff them and finish them off.
Looks like I may have them by summer...probably my last instruments.

Those are some very special guitars there, beautiful.

I'm hoping they aren't your last but if they are, it's a beautiful way to wrap it up

_________________
Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Very, very nice work Haans, i've always had a soft spot for slot heads too.

Steve

Hi Haans,

I am still building Ladder braced guitars. I just finished a Stella style and Regal style.

I will post pictures soon.

Lookin' good Haans!

_________________
It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Brad, I'm sorry, I forgot about you. I certainly would put you in with Todd Cambio...

Just one more level sand and a few thinned coats of Lacquer left. A few drop fills there. Looks like David is doing a great job! This one is the Larson GC-6.

Had some trouble with the hosting site, but photos are back up.
The new 6 and 12 were delivered to St. Paul Guitar, and Ron and Michelle will buff and put them together. My thanks to David for putting on the lacquer and sanding to 600 grit...



Should only be a couple more months...not bad for a 4 year wait. That's patience...

All good things come to those who wait...

Well, they will be my first guitars built as a "factory", so says David, the finisher.
Should try to boost the output, maybe...

I got a call from Ron over at St. Paul Guitar Repair that the BBQ Bob Stella was finished and ready for my trial to check the action. Unfortunately, the shop is closed today through Monday and from the looks of our combined schedules, looks like Wednesday morning is the soonest I can take a look at it.



This and the Grand Concert 6 have been a 4 year + wait for me and I can hardly contain myself. I suppose a few more days of patience after 4 years won't hurt, but now that I know the 12 is finished, I am anxious to hear it.

I may have the 6 by Christmas...what a wonderful present that would be. At this point 4 people have collaborated on these two last instruments of mine. The 6 is of course, a Stahl Larson...

Looks great! Hang in there it is the home stretch now. Keep us updated.

_________________
Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

Brian, it was the last ladder braced 12 string guitar something like this...



There was a sound hole doubler, the UTB was maple, there were a couple of small laminated braces between the ladder bridge plate and the LTB, BUT, the bridge plate was solid BRW, tapered from center to outer edge along it's length.
Full photos and initial thoughts on the tonal qualities later next week. I can hardly wait. The six should be my standard Grand Concert and no different from the other white oak GC's.

Thank you for your interest...

Twelve string was delivered today. 14-1/2" lower bout, 26" scale, tuned to A (had it down to G (!), but sounded better at A). It's a barnburner!

Photos next week...

soundclip too maybe?

What I love most about this thread is that a master luthier still has that almost childhood excitement of listening to one of his creations for the first time. I know it's not ever yet wore off on me but I guess I thought that one day stringing up a guitar for the first time would become almost routine or expected.

I only wish I could be there to witness it

Look forward to the photo's.

Let’s see it!

_________________
Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

Thanks guys! Jf, it's only been a 4 year build...
Had I known what a difference the BRW bridge plate and laminated back braces made on this, I would have made all the Leadbelly Stelle's like this.
Don't know about soundclips Dan, sold off most all the equipment.

Sun finally came out today and took a few photos. Still have most to process, but here is one...

Lovely, and nice photo composition too!

_________________
Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.