Getting ready for several more guitars here at the shop. I'm working on two new Torres models. One with Indian rosewood and the other Peruvian walnut back and sides. I'm also starting up two new Concert models with a slightly modified plantilla. In other news, I made up a new batch of tiles for a Hauser style rosette. A bit smaller and with Macassar ebony in place of walnut. More photos to come soon!
Two More Guitars Off the Bench
Strung up two new guitars today. One Concert model and one Torres model. German spruce tops, Indian rosewood back and sides, Honduran mahogany/Spanish cedar necks, ebony fingerboards, cocobolo head plate veneers and Gotoh premium tuners.
New Torres Model
The latest Torres model got strung up today and I'm very pleased with how it turned out. Extremely resonant and lyrical. It has an excellent balance of warmth, elasticity and detail. The Brazilian rosewood back and sides are particularly striking, but unfortunately very difficult to capture on camera.
New Videos With Stella Kosim
Guitarist Stella Kosim stopped by the shop to record a couple pieces on her new guitar. She's just finished her degree here in Seattle at the University of Washington with Michael Partington and also studies privately with Jorge Caballero. Great playing Stella!
Gluing bridges, Alessi tuners and Two New Guitars Ready For Finish
Glued up a bridge on the latest Torres model a few days ago and got these new Alessi tuners in the mail. Very excited to get this one strung up.
In other news, I've also been putting in some long hours in the shop recently to get two new guitars ready for finish. Here are a handful of photos just prior the first seal coats of shellac.
Bracing Soundboards and Fitting Ribs
A few photos of the next two guitars. Tops and backs are braced and cleaned up. The linings have be notched and small end caps are cut to secure the harmonic bars to the ribs.
A Few New Rosettes In Process
Starting working on a few new guitars and trying out a few new rosette ideas. It's always fun to mix things up even if only a little bit. These motifs are all very much inspired by traditional designs by Antonio de Torres and Herman Hauser.
First Concert Model of 2016 And Exploring More Adventurous Woods
Yesterday, I strung up the first guitar of the year! It features a European spruce top, Indian rosewood back and sides, Spanish cedar neck, Macassar ebony fretboard and Gotoh premium tuners. It's a relatively conservative combination of woods and design that makes a great sounding instrument. It's balanced, lively, warm and has plenty of volume and projection.
In other news, I'm busy French polishing one guitar and I've started cutting, planing and joining tops and back and side sets for a few new instruments. I'm particularly excited about starting a pair of new Torres inspired guitars with Macassar ebony and Peruvian Walnut back and sides. Both are pretty flashy and have some very cool figure in them.
First Coats of Shellac on Brazilian Torres Model and Albero Sonatas
Got the first seal coats of shellac on the newest custom Torres Model. This is going to be a very attractive guitar!
In other news, my good friend Ryan Whitney has just finished editing and publishing his own edition of thirty Sebastián de Albero sonatas for harpsichord. It's a very clean and thorough edition. He has also taken on the task of recording all thirty sonatas. Here is a recording from the first batch of videos. Great music and brilliant playing as usual!
Birthday Side Project, Bridge, Pumice and binding
Finally back in the shop and getting into the groove of things after all of the holidays. I took the day off for my birthday and made myself this desk with a bunch of scrap mahogany and walnut. Very pleased with how it turned out!
Other than that, I've picked up on the pumice pore filling of the next spruce concert model, finished up a bridge and got the binding installed on the Brazilian rosewood Torres model.
