Documentation of a Steel String guitar for Chapdelaine.

[Michael Thames]

I though this might be a good opportunity for me to learn about the finer points of Steel String construction. My good friend Michael Chapdelaine has played my classical guitars for 30 years, he won the first GFA back in 1981.He was chosen by Segovia along with 13 of the worlds best players at the time to preform in the infamous master class held at USC, in 1986, in which Segovia kicked him off stage because Michael didn't use the old man's fingerings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiAbqfaYGwk

Most of you steel string makers will be happy to know he now plays half of his concerts on Steel String guitars these days........ Michael Chapdelaine is the only guitarist ever to win First Prize in the world's top competitions in both the Classical and Fingerstyle genres; the Guitar Foundation of America International Classical Guitar Competition and the National Fingerstyle Championships at the Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festival in Winfield , Kansas.

Michael has been bugging me to make him a SS guitar for the past 10 years or so. So, I finally agreed to do it. His main criticism of SS guitars is the feel of the strings, or in other words the responsiveness, he would like a SS that plays or feels like a classical. Perhaps there are some designs that lend themselves better to a responsive feel rather than the stiff feel most SS seem to have. Here is what Chapdelaine is up to these days......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6qO-wAh4Pg

So here are some photos of the early stages of construction....... with the now Jim Martin. I got the shape from a SS guitar I saw one day in my friends music store can't remember the maker it was about 10 years ago or so. From my research there appears to be a guitar called an OM or OOO or something, I think it looks like one of those. Feel free to comment..... either good or bad.

[DarwinStrings]

G'day Michael, well your man can play up a bit of a storm by the sound of that clip and he is looking a bit Willy Nelson with that crack in the soundboard (quite the pedigree he has too). I imagine with your classical build experience you will build a fine folky. As you are seeking a opportunity to learn about the finer points of steel string construction I would suggest you buy a copy of Gore/Gilet Contemporary Acoustic Guitar Design and Build then have a good read of all the bits that pertain to steel strings (I doubt anyone here is going to type out as much information as you will find in those volumes).

Jim

Life is good when you are amongst the wood.

[Tod Gilding]

That seems to be coming along well Michael, I'm sure with your background, that you will have no problems with a SS. I'm Looking forward to seeing it finished.

Regards

[Michael Thames]

G'day Michael, well your man can play up a bit of a storm by the sound of that clip and he is looking a bit Willy Nelson with that crack in the soundboard (quite the pedigree he has too). I imagine with your classical build experience you will build a fine folky. As you are seeking a opportunity to learn about the finer points of steel string construction I would suggest you buy a copy of Gore/Gilet Contemporary Acoustic Guitar Design and Build then have a good read of all the bits that pertain to steel strings (I doubt anyone here is going to type out as much information as you will find in those volumes).

Jim

Life is good when you are amongst the wood.

Darwin thanks for the tip! I'll check out that Gore/Gilet book just as soon as I finish writing mine. I'm calling it "Guitar Making MOJO, The Antidote To Guitar Making By The Numbers". For professionals only!

[DarwinStrings]

G'day Michael, by the way my name is Jim and I live in "Darwin". If you ever find your way to this rather famous part of Australia (not sure why it is famous, maybe something to do with the per head beer consumption) then drop me a message and I will show you which trees to park your tent under and which brand of beer to drink. Good luck with your book as their is much competition with that style of text. Also good luck with sales to professionals as they have been know to let foolish pride stand in the way of a good bit of education.

Jim

[P Bill]

G'day Michael, by the way my name is Jim and I live in "Darwin". If you ever find your way to this rather famous part of Australia (not sure why it is famous, maybe something to do with the per head beer consumption) then drop me a message and I will show you which trees to park your tent under and which brand of beer to drink. Good luck with your book as their is much competition with that style of text. Also good luck with sales to professionals as they have been know to let foolish pride stand in the way of a good bit of education.

Jim

No croc warning?

[Dekka]

Can't wait for that tome! ....."The Petty Man's Guide To Arguing About Luthiery."
Fairdinkum! Listening to this poor old fellow's rantings reminded me of a deluded Don Quixote tilting at windmills and proclaiming his ardour for Dulcinea and her superior stiffness calcs.
If I had the bucks to spare for a book on guitar-making, I surely know which author I would choose.
Mr Thames' guitars certainly appear to be well made although they are a little 'overdone' for my tastes but then I'm not surprised that his instruments seem to say "Look at me! Look at me! LOOK AT ME!!!"
I rarely post on this forum but I do visit regularly and have learned much here. I have always been impressed with the sense of comradery and helpfullness that permeates the content, however in my opinion, Mr Thames has done little more than bombastically condescend and taint the mood of an otherwise splendid forum.

[Michael Thames]

G'day Michael, by the way my name is Jim and I live in "Darwin". If you ever find your way to this rather famous part of Australia (not sure why it is famous, maybe something to do with the per head beer consumption) then drop me a message and I will show you which trees to park your tent under and which brand of beer to drink. Good luck with your book as their is much competition with that style of text. Also good luck with sales to professionals as they have been know to let foolish pride stand in the way of a good bit of education.

Jim

No croc warning?

Thanks Jim...... sorry about the Darwin thing....... yea, seems like everyone around here is a little sensitive......

[Kim]

seems like everyone around here is a little sensitive......

Either that or it's just one abrasive person rubbing "everyone around here" the wrong way. Look at the numbers Michael and you decide.

Cheers

Kim

[Michael Thames]

Can't wait for that tome! ....."The Petty Man's Guide To Arguing About Luthiery."
Fairdinkum! Listening to this poor old fellow's rantings reminded me of a deluded Don Quixote tilting at windmills and proclaiming his ardour for Dulcinea and her superior stiffness calcs.
If I had the bucks to spare for a book on guitar-making, I surely know which author I would choose.
Mr Thames' guitars certainly appear to be well made although they are a little 'overdone' for my tastes but then I'm not surprised that his instruments seem to say "Look at me! Look at me! LOOK AT ME!!!"
I rarely post on this forum but I do visit regularly and have learned much here. I have always been impressed with the sense of comradery and helpfullness that permeates the content, however in my opinion, Mr Thames has done little more than bombastically condescend and taint the mood of an otherwise splendid forum.

Dekka, I have a "golden luthiers rule" which I try and follow at all times...... I never criticize another guitar makers work, I may criticize their methods, their calculations, even to some extent their idea's, and do a book review from time to time, but never the fruits of their efforts, because there is something good in everything, even if it isn't perfect.

[Michael Thames]

seems like everyone around here is a little sensitive......

Either that or it's just one abrasive person rubbing "everyone around here" the wrong way. Look at the numbers Michael and you decide.

Cheers

Kim

Kim, are you winking at me or am I imagining things?

[auscab]

Hi Michael,

Whats the black coating on the bottom end of the go bars ?
I was thinking a rubber or silicon type coating for grip possibly but it's only on one end . Why ?

[Kim]

seems like everyone around here is a little sensitive......

Either that or it's just one abrasive person rubbing "everyone around here" the wrong way. Look at the numbers Michael and you decide.

Cheers

Kim

Kim, are you winking at me or am I imagining things?

It's probably just something in my eye Michael

[Michael Thames]

Kim, are you winking at me or am I imagining things?[/quote]

It's probably just something in my eye Michael [/quote]

Dang!

[Michael Thames]

Hi Michael,

Whats the black coating on the bottom end of the go bars ?
I was thinking a rubber or silicon type coating for grip possibly but it's only on one end . Why ?

That's just black paint, so I know which end is which..... but you know you just gave me an idea, perhaps one could dip the ends in some kind of rubber cement or something.

[auscab]

Hi Michael,

Whats the black coating on the bottom end of the go bars ?
I was thinking a rubber or silicon type coating for grip possibly but it's only on one end . Why ?

That's just black paint, so I know which end is which..... but you know you just gave me an idea, perhaps one could dip the ends in some kind of rubber cement or something.

Yeah that's what I was thinking when I saw your black tips, Ive seen caps stuck on the ends but I don't think Ive seen coated ? We have a tough product called Sicaflex ,its black ,It could be good.

I know just clear silicon for sealing a sink in a bench top stays flexible and is tough. The first time I used it around my kitchen sink I asked my plumber mate if I should bother wiping the squeeze out of the job now , he just shrugged and said it did not matter, Bull S!!t , it took six months of picking to get it off .

[Dekka]

Dekka, I have a "golden luthiers rule" which I try and follow at all times...... I never criticize another guitar makers work, I may criticize their methods, their calculations, even to some extent their idea's, and do a book review from time to time, but never the fruits of their efforts, because there is something good in everything, even if it isn't perfect.

Michael, I wasn't criticising your work as it is above and beyond anything I could come up with, skill-wise....I was just commenting that the design choices you made weren't to my particular tastes as the instruments I saw seem a bit dainty and effeminate to me. I'm sure they're all lovely, however.
Actually, I want to take my hat off to you. I am amazed that someone who comes across as having particular social incapacities is even capable making an instrument..... Tell me, does the glove-puppet ever get in the way or is he the one who encourages you to persevere in your pursuit of guru status?...Or are you just a bloke who turns wood into guitars like so many others?
Wake up, Princess...You ain't so special.

[kiwigeo]

That's just black paint, so I know which end is which.....

Do you do the same with your condoms?

[needsmorecowbel]

Martin......he makes his own obviously....