Got the fingerboards glued on to the two newest guitars this week. Today is fretting and final sanding. Almost there!
Simpler Bindings and Gluing Up Neck Blanks
Moving along with a couple new guitars. Got the bindings and purlfings glued in. I'm going with a much simpler appeal than usual. Elegant and not too busy.
Even More Rosettes and David Russell Masterclass
Spent the day getting new Concert model ready to brace up in the coming days. This one has a Hauser style rosette that I've changed a bit to make my own. Very happy with how it turned out.
In other news, I was fortunate enough to hear David Russell play a few pieces up close while trying out one of my guitars after the masterclass this weekend. Really special. He and his wife are super charming and generous people. (Thanks to M. Partington for the photos!) The concert at Benaroya the night before was wonderful too. I really enjoyed the Mompou as well as a pretty crazy transcription of Bach's keyboard Partita BWV 825.
More Rosettes, Backs and Sides
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.
