Current Build - Falcate Braced Multiscale OM cutaway

[collinsguitar]

Looking quite superb sir! I can't wait to see and hopefully hear the final result.

[kiwigeo]

Slow progress on the OM but theres light at the end of the tunnel. The guitar has been french polished and today I bolted the neck back on and fitted some tuners in order to test string runs. The bridge is not yet fixed to the top.

[Mark McLean]

Looking tantalizingly close now Martin. I bet you were tempted to pluck those strings while they were on it - how did it sound? But I don't like those fret position markers at the 1st and 12th. Really spoils the whole aesthetic.

[kiwigeo]

Looking tantalizingly close now Martin. I bet you were tempted to pluck those strings while they were on it - how did it sound? But I don't like those fret position markers at the 1st and 12th. Really spoils the whole aesthetic.

Unfortunately the two strings are nylons and the bridge isnt glued on yet. The shellac on the top hasn't fully cured yet so string up is still a week or two away......

[johnparchem]

nice looking guitar. It will be fun see it finished and strung up.

[kiwigeo]

Slow progress as usual on this build but I finally got some strings on and am currently in the process of determining saddle compensation before cutting the saddle slot. The top finish needs a bit of touching up but that will wait until everything is set up.

[johnparchem]

very nice! Have you taken a strung up spectrum graph of the guitar. It will be interesting to see where the resonances ended up.

[kiwigeo]

very nice! Have you taken a strung up spectrum graph of the guitar. It will be interesting to see where the resonances ended up.

Not yet John...its on the list of things (left) to do.

[kiwigeo]

Pretty well finished work on this build after close to 2 years. Got the Fishman pickup system fitted and the guitar strung up after a few months of dealing with finish issues and it's currently "running in" for a week before final twigs to setup.

[johnparchem]

That is a great looking guitar. It has been fun watching it come together. I love the look with the fan fret, unique looking bridge and gorgeous rosette.

[Mark McLean]

Very nice Martin. I was playing some Lowden fan-fret guitars recently and they were great. It feels very natural to play - no adaptation required at all, it feels more normal than a standard guitar to your left hand because of the ergonomic position. And the string tensions feel good too. You just need to get used to the look of the asymmetry, and I think your design makes a real asset of that. The one thing that I disliked about the Lowden multiscale design is the ugly enlarged bridge.

Lowden-Wee-5-16-Ld.jpg (35.58 KiB) Viewed 18100 times

Your design is a much more elegant solution. I note that you skewed the bracing so that the wings of the slanted bridge cross the primary falcate braces in the appropriate locations. I think Lowden kept the usual bracing layout and then had to make a weird bridge shape so that the wings could stay put while the saddle went on a slope. Not so good IMHO - although they do sound nice.
I am very keen to know how yours sounds, and how the plate frequency responses came out. I think you wil inspire others to build some clones.

BTW - can you show and tell a bit more about what you have done with the finish on the heel of the neck? Looks interesting.
cheers
Mark

[Dave M]

Very chuffed you got it finished and looking so good Martin.

We were all following the saga and wincing along with you at each setback.

Good Stuff

[lamanoditrento]

Very very nice!

[jeffhigh]

How do you like the multiscale for ergonomics and sound?

[Bob Connor]

Looks fantastic Martin.

[ozziebluesman]

That's a real treat Martin.
I would also be interested in how the mutliscale performs?
Lovely finish and I reckon the straight string pull headstock design would have to improve tuning, sustain and tone.
Cheers
Alan

[Jim]

How does it sound and play now it's finished Martin? Is it easy adjusting to the multiscale? Absolutely superb work- something to aspire to!

Jim

[kiwigeo]

Thanks for the positive comments chaps. Been busy tidying up the workshop and sorting out piles of wood over last few weeks so havent had a chance to play the multiscale. Will be doing so next week and will also do a full set of tap tests and put up results of same.