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David Newton OM Red Spruce / Brazilian
http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=54398
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Author:  David Newton [ Wed Sep 08, 2021 3:35 pm ]
Post subject:  David Newton OM Red Spruce / Brazilian

Recently finished, letting it settle-in.
All the stuff: Brazilian Rosewood from the "last big haul" by MacBeath Hardwood, San Francisco in the late 70's. I bought it in the early 90's, actually have some paperwork on it. Red Spruce top, Bois-d'Rose fretboard, Brazilian bridge, Cocobolo binding. All hot-hide glue, FP shellac finish.

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Author:  jfmckenna [ Wed Sep 08, 2021 3:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: David Newton OM Red Spruce / Brazilian

Woah! That's the good stuff there. Nice looking BRW for sure. Nice work. Bindings and purfs look great against that BRW and I like that torch design too.

I've been working with very old BRW lately too... Do you find it harder to bend? IDK why I have been having such a hard time with it. Rosewood typically bends easily. My only guess is that it's because it's old.

Author:  David Newton [ Wed Sep 08, 2021 4:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: David Newton OM Red Spruce / Brazilian

Thanks!
I don't remember it being hard to bend. I normally build with Mahogany, so that could skew my opinion. I think it was at .080".

Author:  Clay S. [ Wed Sep 08, 2021 7:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: David Newton OM Red Spruce / Brazilian

Very nice! A classic design beautifully done.

Author:  DanKirkland [ Wed Sep 08, 2021 10:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: David Newton OM Red Spruce / Brazilian

Very nice! I LOVE the look you got with that french polish too.

Author:  bcombs510 [ Thu Sep 09, 2021 6:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: David Newton OM Red Spruce / Brazilian

That's lovely, David. The back especially.

Author:  SteveSmith [ Thu Sep 09, 2021 6:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: David Newton OM Red Spruce / Brazilian

That’s a nice classy looking guitar. The BRW is a pretty set.


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Author:  Hesh [ Thu Sep 09, 2021 7:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: David Newton OM Red Spruce / Brazilian

Beautiful and classy, I'll bet she sings real purdy too! Great job David!

Author:  Bryan Bear [ Thu Sep 09, 2021 7:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: David Newton OM Red Spruce / Brazilian

Wow, all the good stuff! Nicely executed too!

Author:  David Newton [ Thu Sep 09, 2021 7:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: David Newton OM Red Spruce / Brazilian

Thank you all for the kind comments. It was a joy to finally use that wood. My wife encouraged me to build with it before I died, so she wouldn't have to figure out how to sell it.
Brazilian is such a lure, I don't care much to build with Rosewood, greatly prefer Honduran Mahogany, but as a guitar builder it is almost a requirement to have some Brazilian in your pile. People ask about it. Can't tell you how many times I pulled it out to show. I love Brazilian for fretboards though, can't get enough of it.
When showing the guitar I'm saying that it is a showcase of endangered material, Brazilian Rosewood, the Bois d'Rose is probably the rarest wood of all, and the nut and saddle is Ivory that I bought in 1975!
I'm pleased some of you mentioned the shellac finish. I know I'm an outlier in leaving evidence of grain lines. I've quit using grain filler, just letting the shellac be the filler, but stopping before the grains are level.

Author:  banjopicks [ Thu Sep 09, 2021 8:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: David Newton OM Red Spruce / Brazilian

I hate to say this and have me hear it, but I really like the unfilled grain. Beautiful guitar.

Author:  David Newton [ Thu Sep 09, 2021 12:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: David Newton OM Red Spruce / Brazilian

It is for sale by the way! If you know anyone...

Author:  Carey [ Sat Sep 11, 2021 12:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: David Newton OM Red Spruce / Brazilian

[quote="banjopicks"]I hate to say this and have me hear it, but I really like the unfilled grain. Beautiful guitar.[/quote]

Hear, hear.

Author:  Terence Kennedy [ Sat Sep 11, 2021 9:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: David Newton OM Red Spruce / Brazilian

Quartersawn BZ! Unobtanium eh?

Nice instrument!

Author:  George L [ Sun Sep 12, 2021 11:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: David Newton OM Red Spruce / Brazilian

Oh my, yes, yes, a million times, yes. That'll be nice to trot out when folks ask about the fancy stuff in your wood stash. "Well, if price is no limit, we could talk about something like ... this one. " wow7-eyes

Author:  Mike Collins [ Mon Sep 13, 2021 12:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: David Newton OM Red Spruce / Brazilian

the most important thing for a guitarist-How's it sound & play
mike

Author:  David Newton [ Tue Sep 14, 2021 5:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: David Newton OM Red Spruce / Brazilian

Mike Collins wrote:
the most important thing for a guitarist-How's it sound & play
mike


Hi Mike. I don't disagree that for a builder the most important thing should be the sound and playability. But for a lot of people who buy Luthier-made guitars, looks is first priority. Ever hear that saying "guitarists hear with their eyes"? I think it is true.

I don't worry about this one though, having listened for "vintage Brazilian tone" in a couple of the high-end Nashville shops, I did my best, and the tone is everything I'd hoped for. Plays pretty sweet too.

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