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Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
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Author:  Dave White [ Sun Jan 27, 2008 1:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
I've just finished this Lutz/Cuban Mahogany concert sized guitar for my daughter Jessica. Now all four of my daughters have De Faoite guitars 8-)

This was very much an exercise in using up bits of wood. The top is from a Harp guitar set from Shane and is the bit not needed for the harp-guitar. It's a three piece - large central piece with two lower bout "wings". I had two side sets of Cuban mahogany left so one set became a four piece back. The fingerboard, headtock overlay/backstrap, bridge and end-graft are cocobolo. The bindings are maple and the neck Spanish cedar. The tuners are Gotoh SEP700's and the finish is hand-rubbed pre-catalysed lacquer (over Z-poxy on the back and sides) and Tru-oil over Z-poxy on the neck. Scale length is 24.6".

The lutz was very stiff so the bracing is lower than on the first ladder braced Concert guitar I made last year - it will be interesting to see how they compare when this one opens up.

The strings went on last night and I recorded something this afternoon. Rather than blues/ragtime (which sounds great on the guitar) I thought I'd show tthe versatility of ladder bracing and did a take of a DADGAD set I'm currently working on on harp-guitar. Its still eveolving but is based around Black Waterside/ She Moves Through the Fair and there's a special bit for Hesh right at the end :D You can listen to it here

Thanks for looking and listening.
Author:  Dave White [ Sun Jan 27, 2008 1:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
Top Bracing:
Author:  Jim Watts [ Sun Jan 27, 2008 1:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
Dave, That's really nice!
Author:  GregG [ Sun Jan 27, 2008 1:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
Sounds/looks good to me Dave, I like it!

Greg
Author:  john487 [ Sun Jan 27, 2008 2:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
Wow, nice playing! It looks great and I love that concert size.
Author:  charliewood [ Sun Jan 27, 2008 3:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
Dave
I quite like that! Very nice size and shape to it - Id never know it was a bits and pieces guitar,,, I just love the sound of those little ladder braced guitars as well - theres something that just fits in my ears with them (If that makes any sense?)
I know that tonal variety is vast and all encompassing, and that a particular instrument might have a very nice time with a style genre or song and not do justice to another - But these really work for me.... Its something about the tonal/timbre characteristics and the way it fits with the resonant qualities of the instrument that strikes me and tickles my fancy...Thats just my HO
as always good job!
Cheers
Charlie
Author:  Sam Price [ Sun Jan 27, 2008 4:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
Dave,

Absolutely beautiful!!

I cannot figure out whether your guitars are trying to be harps! They all have that very distinctive Celtic harp sound; and what a fortunate man you are to have four daughters who all want to play guitar. What a wonderful gift, to have an instrument made by their father. Very special.

I am beginning to wonder whether custom builders reach the point where they discover their own unique guitar "voice"...I am pretty sure I could identify your guitars in an aural guitar ID parade...
Author:  Colin S [ Sun Jan 27, 2008 5:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
Dave, it's my lucky day! Two of my favourite builders post guitars, first Steve Kinnaird and now your great little ladder braced guitar. Got to love Cuban, and I'm certain that Shane's Lutz will complement it perfectly. I love the way you always build something just a little different, it's so refreshing to see another from the De Faoite stable (or should that be the De Faoite 'form').

I think the playing was a bit shabby though, best send it to me (get a custom Calton for it first) and I'll put something down for you. ;)

Great guitar and playing as always Dave.

Colin
Author:  Hesh [ Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
Beautiful looking and sounding guitar Dave mon!!!!!!
Author:  K.O. [ Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
Makes me think you should consider adoption. I Know a certain 40+ year old in central washington....
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Sun Jan 27, 2008 8:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
Dave, Dave, Dave! Awsome looking guitar, as one might expect from a craftsman of your ilk. Thanks for the harp guitar clip that was really great -even the "Smoke on the Water" part. :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:
Author:  Shane Neifer [ Sun Jan 27, 2008 8:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
NICE...Dave!

I guess that pretty much answers the multi piece top question! More than two pieces still sounds awesome!

Thanks again for sharing!

Shane
Author:  Lillian F-W [ Sun Jan 27, 2008 8:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
Stunning Dave. Your daughters are blessed to have a father like you.
Beautiful to the ears and to the eyes.

Sweetie wants to know if we could get some your recordings for the iPod. I said that I'd ask. I take no rather well.
Author:  Dave Anderson [ Sun Jan 27, 2008 9:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
Dave, Very nice sounding guitar and excellent playing!
Beautiful work as always...
Thanks for the nice pics.
Author:  John How [ Sun Jan 27, 2008 9:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
Very nice Dave, an interesting variation from my own style of ladder bracing. I will have to give it a listen another time though as my dialup is crimping me style today.
Author:  KenH [ Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
I am REALLY impressed Dave! Not only does the guitar look beautiful, it sounds just as pretty too. Well done my friend!
Author:  Billy T [ Mon Jan 28, 2008 1:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
Very nice looking guitar Dave! Firstclass work. I like the recording quality and sound of the instrument in general. Great work!
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Mon Jan 28, 2008 10:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
WaddyT wrote:
Thanks for the harp guitar clip .......

LATE EDIT
I have got to learn to read more carefully. Sorry. The clip sounded great. I didn't think you were making much use of the harp strings. Duh! :oops: :oops:
Author:  Anthony Z [ Mon Jan 28, 2008 10:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
Dave always a treat to see your work and this one doesn't fail to impress! Very nice.

Question if I may, how large is the soundport?
Author:  Dave White [ Mon Jan 28, 2008 10:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
Jim, Greg, JohnS, Hesh, Dave, Ken and Billy - Thanks, I'm glad you liked it.

Charlie - These small parlour/concert guitars are versatile and have a lot going from them and are interesting to play in lots of different musical styles. They are very comfortable to play as well.

Sam - Thank you. It's nice to have carved out a certain sound and the elements so far are there with all the different types, sizes and wood combinations.

Colin - I'd love to send it but you'd have to fight to prise it out of the hands of a certain person. She's very small but she can fight dirty :D

Waddy - Thanks and nice recovery :D

Shane - I feel a bit embarrassed as I keep showing instruments made out of lots of pieces of your wood, but that's how good your wood is!! The two I made from "proper" two piece sets of yours are maturing into fabulous sounding instruments - I'll be catching up with the guitar-cittern on Saturday. Plus I still have the harp-set to go!!

Lillian - Thanks. I'll ask the experts (ie the girls) about the best way to make the mp3 I-Pod able.

John H - It's thanks to you that I got into making these ladder braced beauties. My bracing is modified from the one on my old all mahogany American guitar. I see from your website that you have gone down to parlour size and up to Grand Concert size with your ladder creations. You should do more posting on them here at the OLF.

Anthony - Thanks. The sound port is roughly egg shaped and at is max dimensions is 44mm long by 35mm wide.
Author:  Bruce Dickey [ Mon Jan 28, 2008 2:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
Dave, looks like you are cranking out a winner.

I'm still googoo over your version of the harp guitar.

It's like you have this inner light that's guiding you?

Many thanks for letting us in on your fine crafted wares!

Where are the clapping hands?

Clap clap clap!
Author:  Bob Long [ Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
Dave... I'm always inspired by your boundless creativity... It's apparent in all your instruments! This one is no exception... beautiful to look at, and a lovely voice.

long
Author:  Brad Goodman [ Mon Jan 28, 2008 9:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
Hey Dave,
If it sounds that great through these little computer speakers, I can't imagine how good it sounds in person! Not bad one the eyes either-a winner!!
Congratulations!!
Author:  Lillian F-W [ Mon Jan 28, 2008 9:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
Thanks Dave.
Author:  Steve Walden [ Mon Jan 28, 2008 11:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ladder Braced Concert Guitar
Dave - What an impressive guitar. And it sounds wonderful. I see you are a blessed father to have four girls who must really love their dad. If I wern't so old, I'd ask to be adopted, as well, so you could build me one......

Thanks again for sharing, not only this guitar but your knowlege with us. And, not to forget, thank you for the wonderful recordings!
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