LOTS OF PROJECTS NEARING COMPLETION...

[jingle_jangle]

Thanks, Craig...I guess I am aware now! Your 730L will be added to the queue.

The past ten days, I've been working shortened hours; I picked up the bronchial virus that's been going around my school; took 2 sick days and have been generally recuperating. My first full day back at work was yesterday.

First item out will be Alisha's Blue 700C/6, which is about a week late; it will undergo final color sanding and buffing-out in the next couple of days; then there's the 700C/12 in Blue Boy, and at least four others in rapid succession now that all parts, including TRCs are in.

Pics will be posted!

[sloop_john_b]

Get well, Paul - guitars can wait!

Easy for me to say, I'm not waiting for one!

[jingle_jangle]

Thanks for the good vibes, JB.

[simer4001]

Seriously, their has been some nasty stuff going around. Don't rush things. Relapses are usually worse.

[sharkboy]

Paul, we're all rooting for ya. I've heard that the blueboy paint isn't a good inhaler if you're having respiratory issues.

I've heard that surf music is healthier than actually surfing under these conditions.

[ozover50]

Take it easy, Paul. I had a bout of the dreaded lurgy a couple of weeks ago and I'm still trying to get rid of some of it.

BTW... who's the spunk with you in your avatar? Can I get to meet her some time?

[simer4001]

Paul, we're all rooting for ya. I've heard that the blueboy paint isn't a good inhaler if you're having respiratory issues.

I've heard that surf music is healthier than actually surfing under these conditions.

In my case surf music is healthier than surfing under any conditions.

[jingle_jangle]

Take it easy, Paul. I had a bout of the dreaded lurgy a couple of weeks ago and I'm still trying to get rid of some of it.

BTW... who's the spunk with you in your avatar? Can I get to meet her some time?

Thanks, Aitch!

Dalia sends hugs.

[simer4001]

OK OK, enough of this warm fuzzy stuff. Pictures please!

[jingle_jangle]

Only one tonight, but it'll make Alisha feel all warm and fuzzy...it's the bridge being glued--finally--onto her 700C/6.

Here's how I typically mount the bridge:

The bridge is located immediately after the body is sanded and before any sealing begins, and its footprint is masked off. After all finishing, varnishing, and buffing is done, the bridge is screwed down, a sharp knife cut is made around its exact perimeter, and the finish and masking tape footprint is peeled away. This leaves a perfectly clean and open footprint of spruce. The bridge literally makes a "snapping" sound when it's fitted into the opening and glued. The contact once glued is 100% of the area of the footprint. Most builders simply scrape away the finish approximately around the center of the bridge footprint. Usually there's only about 40% contact or glue patch. Obviously, the better the contact, the better the transmission of string vibration to the top. It's a lot of extra work, but worth it in tone. And it virtually eliminates any chance of the dreaded bridge lift that afflicts some Martins and Gibsons.



The binding (originally pure white genuine celluloid), left pure white, would have IMO looked too "cold" with the guitar in such a cool shade of blue. This would have left the fretboard, a really glorious piece of bubinga, all alone and a bit too orangey-looking. So, I masked off the entire guitar except for the binding, and tinted the binding only, to give the perimeter of the guitar a bit of warmth and soften the contrast between the blue body and the varnished bubinga fretboard. Note the red position dots...it's details like these that lift these instruments above other traditional and run-of-the-mill appearing handbuilt acoustics.

[sloop_john_b]

I love the tint of the binding.

[leesh]

= me

[brycycle]

absolutely stunning, Paul!

makes me hope mine is one of the "four others in rapid succession"...

get well!

[melibreits]

Fabulous.... Simply fabulous! What a lusciously lovely shade of Blueburst....!

Outstanding work, Paul!

Congrats again, Alisha--you know I'm jealous!

[simer4001]

Congratulations Alisha!