Official Luthiers Forum!

Here are some pics of one of Mike's latest!














The original was made for gut strings .

The inlays area Martin Torch in the h.s. and snowflake in the F.B.
Pyramid Bridge and real thin old purfs. from Germany.
Old growth Braz .
Koa bindings,very old Euro top & African mahogany neck.
Modified X bracing.
Sounds incredible !

Going to Texas soon !

mc

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Drinkin' up the future, livin' down the past.

Now that is one beautiful guitar!
Way to go Mike!

Joe

That's a jaw dropper Mike. Bet yours sounds better too. Fish Glue? I know I know, dumb question.

Where ya headin' to in Texas?

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Bill Hodge


One does not simply, own enough guitars!

Beautiful guitar Mike.

Thanks guys !
It's going to Acoustic Pro Musician in Texas.
It sounds so sweet!
I restored the real thing a few years back and it was signed by C.F.Martin on the treble side of the top.
That was a gut strung guitar.
Someone put steel strings on it and it set in a cow barn in the original case for 50 years !!!!!
It was brought to me by the great great grand son of the original buyer !!

I've had many inquieres about one with steel strings so I thought what the heck .
Make one.
The tuners look off line in the pic but they're not on the guitar !!!!

These little buggars are so great to hold & play .
A very personal guitar.

Mike

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Mike Collins

Superb! Very well done.

Did you just beef up the bracing for steel strings?

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The member formerly known as erikbojerik....

Very very nice. That's my kind of instrument. I'm saving some BZ to make a size 2 for my 50th. Want to make it special. I'll save these pictures for ideas. Congratulations!
TJK

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Excellent job as usual Mike!
Great looking little guitar!

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Well done, that's one gorgeous guitar.

Michael Collins
www.collinsguitar.com

Beautiful guitar Mike. You sure captured the look.

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Mike, a beautiful guitar. Really great work.

Wow, that IS pretty!
And particularly exciting to me, as Acoustic Pro Musician is only 15 minutes from our house. Can't wait to see/hear this little guy.

Well done, Mike!

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

A Very well done job Mike !!
I like everything about this one.
Congratulations !

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Thanks guys !
Erik I used an X brac that was tapered from the center to the edges of the lower bout..
And a straight brace touching the bridge plate that goes from X to X
This to keep the center of the top stiff .
I used very old Euro Spruce that is lite in weight and stiff as all heck.
The center of the top is 2.5mm tapering down to 2mm at the edges.
No finger braces ;just webs 15mm wide by 2mm thick and from the X to the lining.
I did this to make that area more vibrant to lower notes.
It's set up with 12-53 strings.

The neck Mahogany was dated 1928 when I got it 10 years ago.
It's African & probably cut years before that .
The piece was 12" square and 6' long !!
I got many necks and sets out of it.

Waverlys with Black Pearl handles !

Steve I should ship it Monday.
Let me know if ya see it and play it.

Thanks to everyone.
This is a great forum.

Mike

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Mike Collins

I missed this thread. What a beauty, Mike. Very nice work, as we all would expect! You really captured that look of a vintage instrument.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

That's a great little guitar there And the rosewood, especially the sides...KILLER.

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Build log

How's your dad?
have you started a Flamenco gitar yet?

Mc

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Mike Collins

awesome and inspiring

WOW. How can you not like that guitar?!

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Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
http://redrivercanoe.ca/

Mike, that is very nice of you to remember and ask. Thank you, going well for the moment.

no flamenco yet, I was busy building a "pretty guitar for the shop", 90% done now, and then I'll need to tackle 3 consigned classical's. But maybe it is better that it is delayed, I have more time to study the subject.

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Build log