Official Luthiers Forum!

Hey, all, I'm soon to be starting a guitar as a surprise for a retired friend and was seeking some input. He's a pretty decent picker (and member of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, played with Jerry Reed back in the day) and his style I would consider closest to a Travis style approach, but with a much lighter touch. I have chosen an OM for this one. Does anyone have any input for a building approach based on player style? I usually see archtops used in this setting, but ummmm....he's not THAT good a friend.

So, again, I chose an OM because, well, I wanted to. Also, the poor guy has been playing a Tele-coustic for the last few years (no excuse for a guitar!) and I thought size-wise this would be a better transition and compromise for him. I have an Englemann top selected and EIRW back and sides.

Tonally, what route would you go? I'm thinking this style is more associated with more fundamental and less overtones - I guess maple or mahogany would be more typical. Is that right? How would you approach EIRW for this?

Eagerly awaiting an education....

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Wes McMillian
Santo, TX
http://www.wesmcmillian.com

IMHO you are right about being more fundamental than over tone. BUT! that style of play is more associated to a big sound. Almost a Blue grass type sound. Personally I would have gone with a larger body than an OM. The guy is in Georgia Music Hall of Fame. He has played many size guitars. Going with The OM to male the transition easy IMOP is like serving hot cakes to someone that really likes waffles just because it has been a while since they had any waffles. But don't get me wrong the OM is ok. Knowing the style of play and the His history in music I would bet the dog house he would be happier with a larger body.

He played with Jerry Reed?! Wow, one of my big heroes. Jerry picks those signature licks and his version of a the Travis style on a NYLON sting guitar, I bet your friend will be happy sith his OM.

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Yeah, he's got some cool old pictures of them playing together when they were real young. Looked like overgrown kids. Pretty neat.

He does still play out. In fact, we picked in a group together while I lived out there. Mostly does local ministries, nursing homes, benefit concerts, etc, and plays in church. He does usually plug in for most things.

So, I'd like to build him kind of an all-around guitar. One to enjoy at home and plug in for gigs. I figured a well-built OM with a K&K pickup would fit the bill well. I could consider a larger body, I guess...

So, again, if you were going to build for a Travis picker with a fairly light touch, are there any special considerations you would take in your approach? I'm definitely not looking for a cookie-cutter recipe, but trying to increase my design knowledge as I go. This is what I consider a trademark of a true "luthier" (to address another post), one who can adapt and modify his design and voicing to tailor to each customers style and preference.

One day, I will be able to take ES's class...

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Wes McMillian
Santo, TX
http://www.wesmcmillian.com

An OM sounds good just because it's so comfortable a guitar to play.

Maybe it would be interesting to build something that would be out of the ordinary for a long-term musician, who may be totally familiar with the typical martin scalloped brace sound? What if you want with a parabolic-braced instrument with a more mid-rangy tone? He may be intrigued with the difference from the normal style?

I've been building classicals lately, but when I get a chance to get back to steel strings, the first thing I want to do is build a pair of guitars that are the same except for a really scalloped X-brace on one, and parabolic bracing on the other. I really want to hear that difference for myself.

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Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

I am doing that exact thing right now with two identical OM's that I am building as Christmas gifts for my two daughters.  Other than some minor cosmetic differences the guitars are identical except the bracing.  One is scalloped and one is parabolic.  The tap tones on the un-carved top were pretty much the same, but once I shaped the braces the tap tones had a very dramatic differences in sound.  The bodies are finished and ready for final assembly and the two boxes sound very different when I tap them now.  One has a much tighter sound to it, and one is  I am very anxious to get them done so I can hear what they sound like.  It has been a very fun project! 

..... and to finish that sentence.....

One has a much tighter sound to it, and one sounds much deeper with a long ring to it.

I can't wait for that edit button!