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Completed #1 Flamenco
http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=13290
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Author:  DarinMcC [ Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:28 am ]
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I finally completed Flamenco #1 (also Guitar #1) "Alexandria" it is a Manuel Reyes built from Tom Blackshears plans. The top is German Spruce, the back, sides fingerboard and head plate are all cocobolo, the bindings are curly koa, with a spanish cedar neck. The finish is French Polished.

I definitely learned a lot from #1. I went through 3 neck blanks, and 4 bridge blanks before I got it right. I also finished it and sanded it back down twice, before I got a finish that I could live with.

The next one is going to be German Spruce and Cobo as well, but of a Miguel Rodriguez Jr. Design.

Thanks for looking.




Author:  Peter J [ Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:34 am ]
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Nice work Darin Very good for a first effort and definitely something that I'm sure you are very proud of. There is nothing like stringing it up and sitting to play and thinking... "gosh, I MADE this and it sounds GOOD."

I like the Cocobolo, nice figure and the backplate on the headstock is a nice touch also. Keep up the good work.

Have you started #2 yet? Why not??   

Regards,
Peter

Author:  WaddyThomson [ Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:50 am ]
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That is beautiful.  Great job.  I hope mine (1st that is) turns out half as well.  Stunning instrument.  How does she sound?

Author:  old man [ Sun Aug 19, 2007 12:44 pm ]
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Darin, that is just great!! Fine job, and I love coco. Does it sound as good as you'd hoped?

Very nice label, too.

Ron

Author:  KenH [ Sun Aug 19, 2007 12:50 pm ]
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beautiful guitar Darin! I'm curious about the tone of the german spruce also. Did it turn out sounding like you expected it to?


good job! 


Author:  Marc [ Sun Aug 19, 2007 11:13 pm ]
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Great guitar, fine work, german spruce top is very nice.

Author:  MaxBishop [ Sun Aug 19, 2007 11:42 pm ]
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Hi Darin,

Excellent work on number 1! I too am a flamenco enthusiast. My number 4 was also built using the Reyes plans. Mine has Spanish cypress back and sides and an engleman spruce top. After a month of playing it in it is my best sounding guitar yet. I will be very interested to hear how yours sounds as I am planning to build another using cocobolo.

Congratulations,
Max
Brighton, Michigan

Author:  Arnt Rian [ Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:04 am ]
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Oh, it's lovely! All the cocobolo parts make the instrument homogeneous and elegant, and by keeping the details restrained and the color palette simple you really let the woods speak, just the way I like a classical.

Good job on the lawn, too!

Author:  Arnt Rian [ Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:06 am ]
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<edit>
...just the way I like a flamenco.

Author:  Dave Anderson [ Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:07 am ]
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Wow, Very nice first guitar! You done good!
I hope you like the tone. Great wood choices too.

Author:  jfrench [ Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:47 am ]
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Darin, Looks like you did a fine job! How does she sound?

Author:  SteveCourtright [ Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:35 am ]
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Kudos for your persistence to get it the way you wanted it. And it is lovely work indeed.

Author:  Gary L [ Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:50 am ]
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Bravo Darin! I can't wait to see your next creations.

Author:  Andy Zimmerman [ Mon Aug 20, 2007 3:48 am ]
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Looks beautiful.
How about a close up of your tie bar? It looks very nice. What did you make
it out of?

Author:  Jim Kirby [ Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:31 am ]
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Very nice! I'm working on two flamenco's right now, also following Reyes. I hope they look half as good as yours.

Author:  DarinMcC [ Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:21 am ]
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It did not sound very good at first I got a lot of buzz on the first and second fret. I leveled the frets, re-crowned them and still had a little buzz so I raised the saddle 2mm and now she really sings. This is my first Flamenco, the sound is very bright.

Author:  DarinMcC [ Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:26 am ]
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[QUOTE=ToddStock] Congrats - looks great! How much fun was gluing coco? I'm enjoying all the extra prep immensely![/QUOTE]

I have heard a lot of horror stories on gluing coco. I almost decided against using it, but I love the look. Early on I made a couple of test joints using Titebond, and the wood would fail before the joint. Aside from gumming up sandpaper, I did not have any problems at all. I would not hesitate to use it again.

Author:  DarinMcC [ Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:36 am ]
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[QUOTE=azimmer1] Looks beautiful.
How about a close up of your tie bar? It looks very nice. What did you make it out of?[/QUOTE]

I bought it from LMI, It is supposed to match the rosette. Although the rosette is a little darker.



Author:  Steve Walden [ Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:58 am ]
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Amazing!

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