My newest [soon to be] addition

[drooartz]

In a previous life I worked in a woodshop that built trade show exhibits. I'm still good friends with the folks I worked with, and a few years ago I found out that one of the guys had taken up building guitars. He doesn't play but his sons do, and he wanted to have something he could leave for his kids.

I'd been thinking about having him build me a guitar, and this past March I decided to go ahead and put in an order. Dan had never built a guitar for anyone else (he still has all the ones he had built previously), but was excited to do one for me. I've never commissioned an instrument before, so it was a new experience for me as well.

And here it is!

I haven't heard it yet or seen it in person, but it's done and ready for me to check out. I'm really excited! For those who know guitars, it's roughly OM sized, but a bit deeper. Cedar top, Mahogany back, sides, and neck, and Ebony (undyed, so you can see the natural grain) fretboard and bridge.

More info and build photos on my website.

Now I have to be patient for a few more days before I get a chance to hear/see/play it in person. Lots of shows coming up this summer, so it will get a good workout. My trusty old Seagull guitar (of 15 years or so) will be retired but not removed.

 

[Basil]

Wow, very nice looking guitar! Bet you can't wait to hear and play it!

 

[GregW]

Beautiful guitar Drew. I especially like the head, maybe because it reminds me of an electric. Speaking of which, where are the pickups?

 

[Banjo]

Nice.. It it plays half as good as it looks, it's a winner! can't wait to hear the report.

 

[aeronca65t]

The snakehead is cool.
My brother has a Seagull.....a nice instrument.

I have Yamaha Classic at home and a flea-market special I keep at work to annoy my office mate.

I have seen quite a bit of interst in making guitars using CAD/CAM and CNC milling machines or CNC routers (I'm a CNC programmer and have three CNC mills at work).

~Machine Design~ magazine just did a story on building guitars with CNC.

But I have a feeling your pal is doing his the old-school way.

G'luck with it! :thumbsup:

 

[drooartz]

The Seagull has been real workhorse; it's been a great guitar for a lot of years. Mine's practically vintage now, and still going strong. One of the best instrument purchases I've made -- earned its keep many times over (and paid for a large portion of the Tunebug).

The snakehead design was mostly my idea -- matches the Seagull and my old '23 Gibson mandolin. More practical as well with a nice, straight string pull. Dan had been thinking of using one as well, so it was a good fit. And yes, Nial, Dan's doing this the old-fashioned way.

Greg, the pickup's inside. I'm a working musician, after all.

 

[Don_R]

Very nice Drew,

I have a HD-28 Martin that I love but I don't want to cart it around. This replaced my Hand-me-down Citation.

Used to have access to a Simon & Patrick that I liked (shop closed) but didn't have the money to buy.

Wish I had the coins to get a custom made but my LBCs are taking care of any cash I think I have.

 

[drooartz]

A good friend of mine had lunch with the builder today. To quote his email to me:

"Just had lunch with Dan, he said that your guitar is the best one he has made and it sounds wonderful. He is exited for you to try it."

He's excited? I'm dying here! Still a few days off for me.

 

[drooartz]

I got it home today! Pics and sound to follow tomorrow (I've got to get ready for a gig right now). Came in right on budget as well. One happy guy here!

Wonderful sound -- very balanced and open, with lots of volume. I'm using it for my gig tonight so I'll have a better chance to try it out.

 

[pjsmetana]

Beautiful!

I've been a Bass guitar player since I was 13. I don't have any acoustics, and I really want one (wife wont let me buy, I think shes saving it for our 10 year anniversary). I do, however have 3 electrics; A Longneck limited production Heavy Metal P&J Fender signed by Billy Squier, a Simple Classic style Fender J-Bass that my mother sent out to me when I was in Baghdad for a year, and a one of a kind custom painted 1964 Fender Fretless P-Bass with its own insurance.

If your builder will take an order for a Bass Guitar, pass me along his contact info and I'll leave it on the counter in smooth-as-possible fashion for my wife to find. I would love to have another one-off, especially if it was an acoustic!

 

[drooartz]

I had a great gig with the new guitar last night. It sure sounds nice, so much more open and balanced than my Seagull. Will need some action adjustments once the wood has settled in a bit.

Here's a video I recorded this afternoon of the new guitar.
https://www.drooartz.com/index.php?page=63

Pete -- that's a nice little collection you've got there. I'm a bassist as well, with my own little group of basses. I'm pretty settled with mine now: '85 Spector NS2A, '77 Fender Musicmaster, '08 Warmoth custom fretless Jazz Bass, '40s Kay (probably) upright. I don't know if Dan is really taking any orders, as I'm his first real customer. He is currently building a replica of an Ernie Ball Earthwood bass for his son (https://www.acousticmusic.org/Ernie-Ball-Earthwood-Bass-p-112.html) -- it's a real monster!

 

[GregW]

That sure sounds nice. You're miles ahead of my playing too. :blush: