LOTS OF PROJECTS NEARING COMPLETION...

[jingle_jangle]

Ummm...bit of a mistake here. Only the first (spray booth) photo was taken with the iPhone. The remaining, outdoor photos were taken with my trusty SONY DSC-F717. I recommend this camera to anyone who will listen including my online students. I simply can't believe how good it is, at any price below about $5K.

The photos above are part of a group of nearly 120 snapshots that I took yesterday at sunrise in a 20-minute time period. Included in these shots were this conversion and three different acoustics that I'm going to post below. The camera was set on automatic, no flash, highest pic quality (it's "only" 5 MP), and I simply pointed and pressed the shutter button every few seconds. Absolutely no fancy stuff, Out of the 120, three were out of focus due to sun flares on chrome. The rest are as you see them here. I have done no cropping.

The 717 hasn't been made for about 5 years now. It's been superceded twice in SONY's line already, and its two successors are not even close IMO, and much more expensive.

There are a number of people selling reconditioned 717s on Ebay, for about $200.00 average. Reconditioned are preferable to NOS or original, because the sensors have been upgraded to a ceramic one that's bulletproof. I have four 717s now--a hedge against the day when they become rare. The most I paid for one was $212.00; the least was $140.00 for the one which took these photos. Best darned guitar snapshot camera ever made. In our house are these four 717s, another SONY 10MP pocket camera, a new 13MP Canon prosumer, a Nikon 5000, a Fuji 10MB, and my Panasonic 10MP Lumix (which I use for recording HD video). The 717 puts them all to shame.

Below are some acoustics that are being detailed and broken in prior to shipping. Same 20-minute session, same camera.

[jingle_jangle]

Three acoustics here: A 12-string Jumbo in AFG, a 6-string dreadnought in Spruce Greenburst, and another dreadnought 6 with shaded rosewood sides and back and a Wineburst spruce top. The jumbo and the green dread both have LRBaggs Anthem dual element pickup systems. I've been using the ToneRite to condition these before shipping, and the difference in tone is noticeable--they open up really nicely, voice gets bigger, and no flab. Stronger bass and low mid. I do a one-week treatment on each instrument now.

The 700C/12:













Spruce Greenburst 730L/6:















Wineburst/Rosewood 730S/6:













What's coming up:

A Mary Kaye white 730L/6,

A 350SH, just completed last month,

A pair of special basses--a Tuxedo and a Blackstar. I'll probably photo these with my Shadow fretless replica, as there's little chance of getting them all together again...

A very, very unusual 381, with an art guitar paint job and modified body...

An AZ 481...

A unique 380/12 art guitar.

A bit further down the line is a Rick nylon-stringed classical or two, and a trio of short-scales using the NOS bodies I recently bought.

There's a lot more, and if I've left anybody out, it doesn't mean I'm not working on your project. It means I'm having sustenance.

[libratune]

Beautiful work, Paul -- each one a masterpiece.

I especially like the 700C-12 AFG . . . and am looking forward to seeing it in person soon.

[electrofaro]

Paul, you make us drool once again!

That greenburst looks like tropical sand beach, with the water flowing over the sand, creating patterns - absolutely stunning DR!

[8mileshigher]

Those acoustics are spectacular Paul !
Your outdoor photography in the morning sun, looks so much better than the display room at SCARF !

[electrofaro]

The 700C/12:

This doesn't only look divine, but surely must sound divine as well?

[shamustwin]

Those acoustics are spectacular Paul !
Your outdoor photography in the morning sun, looks so much better than the display room at SCARF !

OK, ok, I took some pictures @ SCARF of the acoustics on a "flip" type device, gimme a break!

[cjj]

Those are truly works of art...

[Halbert]

I haven't seen them yet but I know that somehow, sometime I must have a Ric nylon string guitar. How is this to be accomplished? Hmmmm...

[jingle_jangle]

Those acoustics are spectacular Paul !
Your outdoor photography in the morning sun, looks so much better than the display room at SCARF !

OK, ok, I took some pictures @ SCARF of the acoustics on a "flip" type device, gimme a break!

Your video is on my YouTube channel, too, Jerry--it's the only video record I've seen of all the SCARF acoustics...so I SCARFed it!

[ozover50]

Brilliant work as always, Paul. The pics are great but seeing them 'live' at SCARF was an experience. All gorgeous!!

[wmthor]

I've been using the ToneRite to condition these before shipping, and the difference in tone is noticeable--they open up really nicely, voice gets bigger, and no flab. Stronger bass and low mid. I do a one-week treatment on each instrument now. ...

A bit further down the line is a Rick nylon-stringed classical or two, ...

I've been wondering if the ToneRite worked as advertised?

A Rick nylon-stringed classical, now that has my attention.

[johnallg]

Beautiful........The iphone seems to give pretty accurate colours.......I'm a fan

Of the color or the iPhone?

[johnallg]

Paul, spectacular colors and woods. I especially like the Wineglo but the wood in the Greenburst is special. Kudos.

[manta]

Hey, I see a good excuse to come to SCARF next year and use my photo skills. We'll see if I can make that fly as the event photographer. I know I'll have great subject. Nice work Paul. You are finding some amazing wood for these. Beautiful.