Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

October last year I started building two weissenborn style, lap slide guitars. "Sassie" the Sassafrass guitar has been well docemented. This one is an all Blackwood instrument wood supplied by Tim Spittle. My initial thoughts where to use the Sassie as the learner so I could make a better job of the blackwood guitar. Funny how both guitars ended up with lots of different mistakes but I was able to modify my way out of trouble and end up with two guitars I am proud of.

This guitar has been named "Blackie" and he has been set up for Open C tuning. He growls nicely.













Thanks all for looking

Cheers

Alan

Alen,

That's a beauty, very tastefully appointed. The figure in the fretboad, bridge and headplate do all the talking that is necessary and in combination with the more supple back, top and sides makes for one very elegant looking weisey.

I did like the sassy version very much, but I must say that I like this one even better. Now, how about a few comparative sound clips

Cheers

Kim

Fantastic work there Alan. I can't wait to hear both of them. It's a real credit to you that you managed to do most of the build with just hand tools. Your a lot more determined than I am.

I'm sure that I'm not speaking out of turn by saying that everyone makes heaps of mistakes in the first several builds, and I think there's tremendous satisfaction on being able work out how to fix them.

Great job there M8.

Thanks Kim. Yep I had some rope binding for the guitar but decided that it didn't need it. The sound clips are in the making!

Cheers Allen for your support and advice during my builds. This one is better built than the sassafrass guitar especially inside the box. I learnt from experience don't glue the top on if you haven't marked out the back brace inlets points on the rim.

All good fun aye

Alan

Great Job Alan, its great when all the work comes together and you have an instrument to be proud of. I 've heard it said that the measure of a good craftsman is how well he/she hides the mistakes. Well done mate.

Thanks Taffy for the support and encouragement.

Cheers

Alan

Alan,

"Blackie" turned out very nice. Looking forward to sound clips!

Does this fill out your personal Weissenborn arsenal completely, or do you plan to build more? What's next for you?

Dennis

G'day Dennis,

Yes I think three weissenborn style guitars is enough. Maybe a Baritone Weiss in the future!

My next build is going to be two concert size, 12 fret guitars. One will have a ladder braced top and the other an X brace design. The back and sides for one guitar will be the last set of golden sassafrass I have which is just the right size for a small body guitar and some opportunity indian rosewood for the other. I haven't built an acoustic guitar yet so this project will be an experience and keep me out of trouble for the next twelve months.

Thanks for your interest mate.

Cheers

Alan

Alan,

Nice one - that turned out great, I'm looking forward to the sound clips. They sound great in low C - I used one at the guitar camp in low C to back a Kentucky fiddle tune. Rock and roll.

Three Weisses are definitely not enough!! You need a double neck and a baritone would be fun too.

A ladder braced concert sized 12 fretter is pretty cool too

Thanks Dave for your comments.

Yep, I'd like to pick your brain regard the concert size guitars at some stage in the near future. I think a concert size guitar will be an achieviable project for me plus getting the feel of the advantages, disadvantages and sound first hand from different bracing pattens will be all good experience.

Thanks again for your support

Cheers

Alan

Alan, that's some fine looking work there.
Simple and elegant. Tastefully done.

Could I recommend a 12 string resonator Weisenborn?
With nylon strings?

Just a thought....

Steve

Thank you Stephen for your kind remarks. I appreciate your interest and support.

Could I recommend a 12 string resonator Weisenborn?
With nylon strings?

Hmmmm!! Sorry mate, thats out of my league!

What about a Concert Ukulele with a wammy bar?

Nah, forget that last statement.

Cheers

Alan