Black Limba OM- Finished

I was able to finally get the finish buffed out on the OM last week and assemble it.  With only 4 days of being a guitar I couldn't help myself and wanted to play with my new Rode mic.  So, here is a little clip in open D tuning.  This is an original tune, though I don't consider myself much of a player let alone a composer.  Just a little tune to demonstrate the guitar.  Put on your favorite head phones or ear buds and give it a listen.  

If interested, it is for sale, please contact me.  I will get some finished/professional photos of it later next week and add a for sale section to the website with more info and photos.  For now, cheers.

A Travelin' We Will Go!

A few weeks ago I wrapped up the woodworking on three new guitars.  I also hinted at something exciting that was happening for us and I'd like to share a little bit about whats happening now.  Here are a few photos of the work.

As some of you know, we left Michigan with our travel trailer in search of warmer weather and adventure...and just in time!  They got hit hard just 2 days after we drove out.  That would have been ugly.  

Anyway, we've always had this dream to travel together as a family, exploring the United States (and hopefully the world).  Lonnie is 2 1/2 years old now and school is just around the corner.  We want to make sure we get in as much quality family time in these early years as possible and also show him some of the unique and different places as well as some of our favorites that we've found over the years.  We're all having a blast so far.  I figured since we're going to be out and about I should take this opportunity to meet up with fellow builders and players with a couple of guitars in hand.  I'll be doing my best to document the whole trip and even providing some quality sound samples when possible.  

Here are the two guitars that will stay with me on this trip.  I snapped these just after I sealed them up with shellac.  Then I packed them into their cases and headed out the door.  First is a Carmen (OM) in Sitka Spruce and Black Limba.  

The second is an Ox (Modified Dreadnaught) in Sitka Spruce and Curly Maple.  

In order to get out of Michigan before the snow flew, it required some finagling and figuring out how to accomplish the finish and assembly on the road.  Luckily I have a friend in South Carolina who owns a cabinet/furniture shop with a nice paint booth.  He was kind enough to let spray the lacquer on these guitars over the last couple of weeks.  So I threw together this crate of tools to complete the guitars amidst the travels.  So far I haven't figured out that I've forgotten anything, fingers crossed!

As of now, both guitars are in their final curing stages and will be buffed out and assembled later this week.  More updates to come.  Cheers!

The 00's from Woodstock

Earlier this year I was overjoyed to open my email and find an invitation to the Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase.  I'd been wanting to exhibit in this show for quite some time.  Builders, players, collectors and appreciators from all over the world are in attendance.  It's a truly wonderful time to chat with enthusiastic guitar lovers and finally meet the other builder's we see around on the internet.  

I started to think about what I would bring with me.  Immediately I thought was a great opportunity it would be for me showcase a 2 1/2 year project I'd been working on- the Oxwood 00.  I decided since I was also celebrating 10 years as a luthier I should build something very special.  I chose the most beautiful set of Brazilian Rosewood I had in the pile and a wonderfully silky Lutz Spruce top.  I paired it up with a second 00 build of Amazon Rosewood and Western Red Cedar.  So, without further ado, here they are...and stay tuned for a more in depth post about my journey through finding my sound in the 00.