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Rich_Smith
Lokahi
USA
242 Posts |
 Posted - 07/08/2009 : 10:42:57 AM
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Just finished: classical guitar with master grade koa from Volcano Guitar Works, bearclaw sitka spruce, 49mm at nut, radiused fingerboard, short scale (24.9), rosewood binding.
Sweet sound with volume, weighs just under 3 lbs.
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Rich Smith |
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RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2009 : 11:59:51 AM
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Looks beautiful Rich! Does it have fan bracing?
I do about 25% of my slack on nylon. I certainly would not want to play only on steel.
Two questions...
Why did you choose spuce over cedar and why radius the finberboard?
Those are two non-tradition features.
Ok, I guess I really have three questions...
Why use a short scale? I assume that would reduce low end and volume. This one is almost 1 1/2" shorter than my long scale classical.
I am just curious about the choices for my own education.
Thanks |
Bob |
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Rich_Smith
Lokahi
USA
242 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2009 : 12:05:15 PM
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| Haole Boy, I am used to playing steel string so I wanted a nylon string guitar that felt similar hence the radiused fingerboard. Short scale because I have small hands. A standard scale length is 25.5 (650mm) so this one is only 1/2" shorter. Spruce because I like a brighter sound than cedar. Also you'll notice it has a truss rod. Seen to many complaints on classical guitar forum about bowed necks and as you know there is no recourse with a spanish heel. I agree - nylon is much easier to play than steel. Thanks for your interest and comments! |
Rich Smith |
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Rich_Smith
Lokahi
USA
242 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2009 : 1:22:22 PM
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| Oh ya Bob, its fan braced - based on 1888 Torres plan. |
Rich Smith |
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cpatch
Ahonui
USA
2187 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2009 : 6:30:55 PM
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| Gorgeous! |
Craig
My goal is to be able to play as well as people think I can. |
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dr. cookie
Lokahi
USA
299 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2009 : 8:18:14 PM
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Looks like another masterpiece, Rich!
DOn |
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RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2009 : 01:11:13 AM
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Rich
I had to go back and re-measure my long scale. It is a little shorter than I remembered at 26.25".
Thanks for the info.
You made a great looking classical guitar!
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Bob |
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Fran Guidry
Ha`aha`a
USA
1583 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2009 : 05:48:42 AM
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Bob, remember, scale length is not the length from the nut to the bridge, it's the length from the nut to the 12th fret, doubled. The difference is due to the compensation, the extra length added to offset the stretching caused by pushing the string down to the fret.
And spruce was the traditional top material for about 100 years before western red cedar was used by Jose Ramirez III in the 1960s.
Fran |
E ho`okani pila kakou ma Kaleponi
Slack Key on YouTube
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RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2009 : 07:39:02 AM
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Thanks Fran, much appreciated.
I did not know that.
My guitar measures 13" to the 12th so then it would be 26" or 660mm. Ok, now I know.
That explains why I found a discrepancy between the specs and what I measured. |
Bob |
Edited by - RWD on 07/09/2009 07:48:35 AM |
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APT
Aloha
34 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2009 : 11:21:21 AM
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| Dang, Rich, I just got back from a week in your neck of the woods (Bellevue, WA). I would have loved to see your work. |
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Rich_Smith
Lokahi
USA
242 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2009 : 12:25:18 PM
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| No problem APT. Next time you are up this way drop me a line. |
Rich Smith |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2183 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2009 : 12:16:00 PM
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Eh, Rich! Looks like another beautiful job! Was wondering if youplan to do a similar one with a cut-way? Just idle mental wandering.
Da gang in Seattle can attest to Rich's workmanship and tone. Uncle Bernie Simeona was lusting over one of Rich's ukuleles. |
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Rich_Smith
Lokahi
USA
242 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2009 : 12:53:32 PM
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| Kory, highly figured koa like this is not the easiest wood to bend. I was not going to risk doing a cutaway on my first guitar with this expensive wood. Maybe nextime. As always I look forward to your valued input when you test drive this one. Thanks |
Rich Smith |
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Bau
Lokahi
USA
226 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2010 : 02:58:21 AM
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that guitar is georgeous
here are some pics of mine.
I found it sitting forgotten at the back of the music store where I was working, it had no bridge, it looked like it was ripped off it and a few small holes where it use to be. I was very attracted to the 2 toned neck.( boss gave it to me for $20 , found out last month its worth about a grand. its priceless to me.)so I ordered a block of koa wood to make a new bridge and to my surprise the piece I was sent was 2 toned as well! how bout that for a coincidence.
also this guitar was designed with out any bracing under the bridge so I added three under it in a fanned formation to strenthen the top but without touching to preserve the resonance. It sounds incredible, like it was ment to play slack key. I have it tuned to taropatch.
the wood was so beautiful that i made inlays for it as well. the circles and in the centers are made from coconut beads ;)
the guitar is from spain and it is special to me because it reminds me of what I read on the history of Kiho'alu of Hawaiians taking the broken discarded guitars from the spanish cowboys and repairing them.
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Edited by - Bau on 08/18/2010 03:02:22 AM |
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Darin
Lokahi
USA
294 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2010 : 10:38:52 AM
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| $20 for a great guitar like a Contreras. It's what we dream about at night. . . Marvelous. |
Darin
http://www.hawaiiguitar.com/ |
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Topic |
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Classical Guitar Hawaiian Style
