Hello Everyone, just completed OM Cutaway

[Allen]

G'day everyone.

Some of you will have seen some of my posts on other forums, but for those of you that haven't my name is Allen McFarlen and I've been building acoustic guitars for the last year. I fell in love with the challenge and the chance to let my creative side out.

I've just posted my latest build on the OLF, so instead of duplicating everything here, I invite you to see what I've been up to with this link.

http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/foru ... PN=1&TPN=1

[Bob Connor]

G'day Allen and welcome.

I just spotted your new one over at the OLF.

Looks absolutely stunning. There'd have to be a couple of XXXX's to celebrate finishing that one.

The red in the purflings sit really nicely with that EIR. Very subtle.

How does the cypress compare tonally to traditional soundboard woods like Spruce?

Bob

[Allen]

Yah, well Bob, it's been warming up a bit here in the tropics, and there were a few XXXX's goin' down this afternoon.

I love the Cypress. This top was much stiffer than the last one I used, so I got to thin the braces a bunch more. It's only been strung up for 5 minutes before the photo shoot. I had to get that done before the sun went down. I've only built one guitar with a Sitka Spruce top. It was my first and a Dread Kit from LMI. It was WAY overbuilt, so not a fair comparison.

I've only tuned it up and strummed a few chords. It's very lively and really great volume. Then got the call for dinner, so I had to put it away. I'm not much of a player, so I usually take them around to a mate and let him have a go. Next weekend theres going to be a camp oven cook out and country jam, so I'll take a few of my completed guitars and let everyone have a go at them. I'm going to have to part with some, so I can make room for more.

[Dennis Leahy]

Allen, That guitar is beautiful! So many great looking features...

The top is amazing - we'll have to hear some sound samples and hear from some of your (honest) mates who are players just what they think of the tone and sustain coming from the Cypress.

I love the lace Sheoak bindings! Oh Tim, Tim!

Your multiple side purfling looks great, and will be remembered some time when I have a set of sides that are just not quite big enough.

The finish looks superb.

The "Proulx Back Strip" is an elegant, classy touch, and it shows your class to acknowledge Mario.

Very, very nice work!

Dennis

[Bob Connor]

Hey Allen - if you're wondering how the big ugly guitar like stuff got into your post, you can blame Hesh.

He's been playing around with the swear filter to change dre@dnought.

Bob

[Serge]

Hi Allen, very nice guitar, welcome here mate!

[Kim]

Boy, that is a stunner Allen, you do some very nice work my friend and display great taste in wood selection also.

Would like a few of those cypress tops in my stash, they are very nice indeed.

Cheers

Kim

[Allen]

Hey Allen - if you're wondering how the big ugly guitar like stuff got into your post, you can blame Hesh.

He's been playing around with the swear filter to change dre@dnought.

Bob

I couldn't stop laughing when I saw that. Thanks Hesh. That made my day.

[Allen]

For our friends overseas, the wood for rosette, bindings and neck were all salvaged as scrap from the bin at our local Woodworkers Guild. Apparently not nice enough for any one there .

[Craig]

G'day Allen,

A wonderful effort !. I too like the look of that top. The cutaway rocks!

Great job mate !

[BillyT]

Exellent work Allen!!
Really like the cypress top!
Gorgeous guitar!!

[Allen]

Thanks everyone for all the positive comments.

I've been doing some more set up on it today. Have the truss rod adjusted just right. It's a double action Gotoh. It's heavier than ones I've used before, but it sure does move a neck quickly.

I will have to lower the saddle a touch more and I think that should about do it.

[kiwigeo]

Very nice guitar Allen,

Nice neat simple lines and nothing too flashy, just what I like in a guitar.

Cheers Martin

[Hesh1956]

Welcome Allen!!