Wow, you are a generous lot! Thanks for your comments.
Allen, I built in the style of Jose Romanillos, which is definitely "Spanish Style". I tried to maintain the Spanish process of construction, throughout. You can see my process in my build album in my signature.
showtell, the bridge is an 18 hole bridge, also used by Romanillos in his guitars. It has many good purposes, but my favorite is the clean look and the unencumbered break angle to the saddle. Here are a couple of shots.
These were before I had a string slip and started melting a little ball on the end of the treble strings before tying.
Taffy, I still have a lot to learn about French Polishing. I ended up taking the top down to wood twice before getting something I could live with. The first time was because I started with an Amber Shellac, and it splotched horribly. Second time was the fingernail scratches.
Craig, the Rubners are just fine. Not the finest, mind you, but they are OK. I got in on a multi tuner purchace at OLF, and got about 5 sets, all different, for just over $225, including shipping. The person leading the group purchase had to buy 50 sets to get the 40% discount. I do think they have other break points at 10 sets and 30 sets, or something like that. Here is a link to their site.
http://www.rubner-markneukirchen.de/ Also, Martin, at
http://www.best-eurspruce.com carries them, and I understand that he can get their steel string tuners which are not listed on their website. Even at the retail price, the price is not too high for the quality of the product, IMO.
I had originally planned to use a set of Gilbert Tuners on the guitar, but they looked too clunky and machine like on the lighter colors of wood involved. Maybe I'll use them on a Rosewood version with an Ebony Fingerboard. The ones I have are black, and I like them a lot. Talk about smooth! No one makes them better from that standpoint. They are like butter to turn. Anyway, the Rubner's happen to have a similar footprint to the Gilberts, and that's how I ended up using them on this guitar. More than you wanted to know!
Joel, I know what you mean. I have been playing in an ensemble for 20 years and have neglected my solo practicing for years. The new guitar, has me practicing some solo work every night now, though I have a long way to go, just to get to where I was 20 years ago. "If you don't use it you loose it!" Apparently it does not apply to all things.
Martin, thanks, the rosette was also my design, and I'm very happy with it, as it will change with every set of back and side wood I use, but still be my signature rosette tile. I can change the purflings and the alternating woods without losing the signature.
Thanks again folks for your comments.
