Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

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Originally Posted on: Sun Apr 18, 2010

Well the time between finishing the woodwork and getting it finally finished has taken longer than I usually take! But prompted by a visit from Auckland of fellow member Dave Olds I got my lazy A into G and got some jam on the Maccaferri Experiment I was building (for the details, I posted the build here viewtopic.php?t=1553) and did all the setup so it's finally finished!
Here for your appraisal/critique are some pics I snapped of it today. I will try and get a video clip of it up by the end of the week as I believe the sound of this guitar & it's volume has worked out really well (well I'm very pleased with it at least!) & the guitar really should be heard as well as seen, after all the whole experiment was aimed at improving the tone & volume of these great guitars. So should be heard in order to be judged! A slightly closer shot of the soundport but you can also pickup the slight flaming in the Walnut veneer. And a few detail shots

Wow Nick, world class mate well done!!! Really Cool

Cheers

Kim

Nick, we have all been hanging out to see this, now its finally done it was well worth the wait.

Seems to me that its not just a stunning looking guitar and no doubt sounds great, but from the pictures it looks like a true work of art as well.

Inspirational stuff, just amazing.

Richard

State of the art mate...state of the art.

If that were me it'd be going straight in the pool room.

Fantastic work Nick.

Maybe we should rename this forum the Pool Room

A beautiful job Nick. Can't wait to hear it. What tuners and tailpiece did you use?

Nick, that instrument is a masterpiece. Very inspiring work mate! It has been a pleasure to watch this one grown.

Cheers

Alan

Nick,

So many cool touches and inspired elements blended together with the tradition of the instrument - and masterfully executed!

There isn't a gypsy player in history or alive that would not have been thrilled to own this incredible instrument. Selmer and Maccaferri themselves would have fought over it (but Django would have sneaked away with it while they were fighting.)

The full, blazing sun is a harsh critic, and she even stands up to that. (If you get an overcast day, that is ideal for shooting outdoors.)

I'm so appreciative that you were generous with your time in documenting this so well. You took us all on a wonderful journey!

Looking forward to audio/video clips!

Dennis

I've been stunned by this one all along the way. In the end it looks sensational. All the more for the fact that we know all of the innovations that you have built in. Inspirational. Thanks for sharing.
Mark

Nice job Nick! Thanks for posting the final pics. Lots of subtle lil gems there.

Just .....well....wow. The pool room it is.

Thanks everyone for your comments, little embarrassing to hear when you guys build such great instruments but gratefully accepted. Especially when it's recommended for the pool room!!! the ultimate accolade.

Mike Thomas wrote:A beautiful job Nick. Can't wait to hear it. What tuners and tailpiece did you use?

Mike the Tuners are Schallers (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guit ... hines.html) I think they are classified as 'Hausers' by Schaller. The tailpiece is a generic one also available from several suppliers but again I used StewMac. Another good supplier is http://www.gypsyjazz.net/productStore.php?prod=6 who even have the more 'authentic' closed tuners that the originals had. I will say that I'm a little disappointed with the DR tailpiece. I'm not sure if the originals were made from the same thickness brass sheet, but after awhile the front edge of the tailpiece starts bending down as the lever effect on the string posts forces them to 'pull' the front edge of the tailpiece down. I use a shorter scale length than the originals too so I'm not sure what effect the larger string pull would have on it after a while! I was threatening to come up with my own design but other builds and a lack of time have put that one on the backburner for the time being.
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Absolutley wonderful Nick and the innovations you have included make it even more so.
I'm particularly taken with your adjustable bridge , but the design of the instrument as a whole is superb. Surely you can't part with this one ? .
Incredible craftsmanship mate , Bravo

It may be gone fairly quickly Craig A guy tried it in the white and has been contacting me ever since finding out when it will be finished so he can try it again. If he's really after this one I may just try & talk him into having me make him another one the same. I just love playing this example (in my own 'rough' way), I've fitted it with Elixir Nanowebs (12-53) & it has a sound I'm quickly falling in love with, clean, crisp good response to bass, mids & highs and sustain to burn.

Czesc Nick, very nice work. Bet you are well pleased. Now, you just gotta convince your mate to take a new on and not this one. But what if the next one is even better? Hope all goes to plan.
Cheers
Dom

Wow, this is a real work of art Nick.
I too have enjoyed your posts re the build and have learnt a lot.
thanks for posting.

I can't put it straight in the pool room, but it has become my new desktop background
Stunning work Nick. How're you gonna top this one

nick that's bloody unreal. well done.

Liam.

Wow, That's wonderful !

I know I have commented already but I must reinforce what our good mate Dennis has said, thanks Nick. The documentation of this build was really enjoyable for everyone at every level of building and this guitar really does deserve a few more images taken on an over cast day to show her at her very best. Please Nick, before she leaves you hands take the time and spoil us a little.

Cheers

Kim

WOW !! Is right. I'm blown away by the detail in this beauty. Magnificent work Nick! Absolutely stunning.

Ron

Thanks guys. I will try to get a few overcast shots of it but we don't get too many days like it

OH BABY!!!!

Beautiful Nick. Nothing else to say.

What an incredible instrument Nick !!!! had to catch up on the progress of it,
and WOW!!! what a build from start to finish!!! does it have a buyer ? or is it
for yourself ?? you should exhibit it for sure, congrats on a fantastic Guitar!!!

cheers,

Christian.

christian wrote:What an incredible instrument Nick !!!! had to catch up on the progress of it,
and WOW!!! what a build from start to finish!!! does it have a buyer ? or is it
for yourself ?? you should exhibit it for sure, congrats on a fantastic Guitar!!!

cheers,

Christian.

I initially built it to get rid of the nagging thought in my head about the effects of a double back Christian, it was never meant to be built for sale or as a custom build, just something that sat in the corner of the workshop. But as it progressed (I blame StewMac for supplying such a nice piece of Maple!) I added to it so it became a bit less of a "party guitar".
There is a guy that is interested in it (I think) pending a final play now it's finished, but he knows I build to order and has played some of my other guitars (he seemed to like the Blackwood Petite Bouche too) , so may just use this to get a final idea of exactly what he wants and get me to build one.

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