Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Hiya All

Pete & john reporting in on a few babies that have enjoyed a wonderful birth during the latter part of 2012 :

Dennis, who visits from Perth occasionally, built this out of some stunning Kiwi timber:

A shot of TimS giving it a test drive (note the classical posture):

Maurice's gorgeous mando of TB and Spruce:

Pete's twins (TB Tenors):

John's 17" scaled Concert of TB & Alaskan Sitka Spruce:

Sam's Sassafras 3/4 Dready in progress:

Max's first uke build of TB & Alaskan Sitka Spruce:

Maurice's Papoose of Tassie Bluegum:

... And Pete's hard-topped WA Sheaok Tenor Uke:

Thanks for lookin' ... and we wish EVERYONE here a fabulous Festive Season!

Cheers
P & J

Nice work gent's.

Looks like it might've been thirsty work as well.

Merry Christmas.

Regards

Some sensational instruments there lads.

Especially like the archtop mando.

Merry Christmas to you all.

Alan

Some really stunning work being done in the Great South West. Enjoy the holiday season gents.

Cheers.

Great work from all the guys, thanks for posting Pete and merry xmas.

Cheers

Kim

Great work Pete & the WA boys! Some beauty's there, especially with my favourite BW! What is the "Kiwi Timber" of which you speak in the first picture? And what is the Timber running down the centre of your Neck? It's looks the dogs bollocks sandwhiched in there.

Thanks to all for the comments ..

Nick, the "Kiwi" timber is from NZ (came as a set) but is actually African Silk Wood. Hence my confusion. Apparenty a lot of "exotic" trees were introduced to NZ early on.
The neck is a lamination of QLD maple, rose wood and some sort of burl ... all from Tim S.
The guitar certainly has a "bark" and Tim was quite happy to try a few "licks".

Dennis is an old mate from NZ (been in OZ longer than NZ now) and he manages to build in a workshop the size of a pantry with the Kinkead book as his main guide. I think he has built 6 or 7 instruments. Dennis gets to Albany about twice a year otherwise he mostly working alone and learning with each build. A good aspiration to have ....

Regards Pete

Ah! Thanks Pete. I thought it looked a similar sort of colouring & grain to some Silkwood I purchased from a supplier in the North Island. I was Interested to hear your thoughts on it's sound as I'd never had anything to do with it before buying the set & I must admit I was surprised when I unpacked it. It has the tap tone of damp cardboard & feels a lot like Balsa in weight & texture although it's quite stiff across the grain when flexed. And before anybody asks, no I haven't taken any deflection readings!

What's a deflection reading?

Is it like tarot or tea leaves?

Bob Connor wrote:What's a deflection reading?

Is it like tarot or tea leaves?

Tea leaves I think Bob