francis
C.O.G.
Posts: 2,405
My main instrument is: Whatever I'm building...
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Post by francis on Jun 28, 2016 9:39:09 GMT
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Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
Posts: 3,562
My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Jun 28, 2016 15:03:44 GMT
I'm close to Newark but playing at a festival on that day. Maybe Adrian can give you some info? He's a member here...
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Post by mel on Jun 28, 2016 15:27:39 GMT
Hmm I might pop along.
Mel.
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Jun 28, 2016 17:20:06 GMT
I live nearby and may pop along. Guitar making is way beyond my skills but would be interesting to see what they are doing. If I go I'll send a quick report for the forum.
John
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R the F
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 1,135
My main instrument is: bandsaw
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Post by R the F on Jun 28, 2016 18:34:53 GMT
mel, let me know if you decide to go; I'm not sure I'm free yet and I won't have the car but you could always give me a lift!
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Post by andyhowell on Jun 28, 2016 19:33:34 GMT
Apparently is a very interesting day.
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Post by mel on Jun 28, 2016 22:05:18 GMT
mel , let me know if you decide to go; I'm not sure I'm free yet and I won't have the car but you could always give me a lift! Sure, will let you know. Mel.
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Jul 1, 2016 7:19:53 GMT
FYI I have been in touch with forum member and luthier Adrian Lucas who a course tutor at the college. He tells me there will be demonstrations and feedback sessions with Steve Hicks in the morning on acoustic steel strung, and classical in the afternoon (2.30 ish).
Sounds like a good day. I've also been told by reception at the college that visitors to the open day on Saturday will be able to use the college car park instead of public pay carparks.
If anyone else from the forum gets there please say hello; no red carnations in the lapel for ID but I'm a big old bloke and will be with a guitar mate who is a smaller old bloke!
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R the F
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 1,135
My main instrument is: bandsaw
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Post by R the F on Jul 1, 2016 8:20:59 GMT
Mel and I will be there. I'll keep an eye out for a big old bloke and a smaller old bloke. Me? I'm slim, athletic and very good looking exuding a certain suaveness which belies my years - (short skinny old bloke with a bit of a beard). Looking forward to it!
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francis
C.O.G.
Posts: 2,405
My main instrument is: Whatever I'm building...
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Post by francis on Jul 1, 2016 10:58:59 GMT
... I'm slim, athletic and very good looking exuding a certain suaveness which belies my years... You don't do yourself justice R the F
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Jul 2, 2016 18:01:10 GMT
Hi Francis and others,
Went to this today with a mate and what a great day out it was. I'd spoken earlier to forum member Adrian Lucas who is one of the Course tutors at Newark and who introduced the day. Initially the guitars made by students were on display in one room and it was good to see the workmanship up close. But the highlights were the demonstrations. In the morning they had brought along Steve Hicks who proceeded to play all of the steel strung guitars from the first and second year students. He tried to play pieces which he felt suited the style of guitar and commented on its construction, materials and quality. His remarks were encouraging to all and he took great care to make only the occasional constructive criticism. The highlight was probably a superb archtop made by one of the second year students.
After a lunch break we came back and the 'demonstrator' on the classical guitars was Paul Gregory whose superb playing and in depth comments were of great interest to all. He was perhaps slightly more critical than Steve but all done very kindly and more concerning set up and minor detail and occasional grimaces at the quality of tuners and finer points of the nut position or saddle and shape of the neck.
The day was in effect a 'passing out' for the students, both informal but constructive and must have been fabulous for the them to have their instruments played by such experts. The majority of the 'audience' seemed to be parents/friends but obviously some local players as well.
Although the congratulations were directed to the students and the players the course tutors must have played a huge part in the creation of such excellent instruments and their dedication to the students was obvious.
Final word perhaps of interest to the luthiers in our midst is that I think all (bar possibly one) of the 10 or so students came from abroad (sorry to the current political climate, I mean beyond our shores!); many from France and one from Norway. I don't know if this was unusual for this particular intake but the absence of budding British luthiers was noticeable and perhaps a bit sad.
John
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R the F
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 1,135
My main instrument is: bandsaw
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Post by R the F on Jul 3, 2016 12:55:14 GMT
Thanks for putting me on to this, francis. It was a good day as fatfingerjohn reports, though I still don't know who you are, John! (ps I've put my report in the "reviews" section though here would have made more sense).
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Jul 3, 2016 15:02:57 GMT
It was a good day as fatfingerjohn reports, though I still don't know who you are, John! Hi,
I was sitting on front row a bit on the right. I also wondered about staying for the classical demos but was very glad I did. Paul Gregory's playing was superb and, sitting about 3 yards from him it almost felt like a private recital.
I think the fact that Paul was slightly more critical than Steve (in the kindest possible way) meant that, as a non-luthier, I probably learnt more about the construction and occasional playability variations from his comments. I'm sure that the students took the occasional constructive criticism in the way it was said and would benefit from it. Overall I think we all shared the almost disbelief that what we saw was in most cases their first or second attempts at making their guitars. Amazing. My woodworking accuracy is judged to the nearest half inch, not half mm.
John
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francis
C.O.G.
Posts: 2,405
My main instrument is: Whatever I'm building...
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Post by francis on Jul 3, 2016 20:42:01 GMT
Thanks for the feedback folks - must try and go next year
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Post by andyhowell on Jul 4, 2016 13:18:50 GMT
Hi Francis and others, Went to this today with a mate and what a great day out it was. I'd spoken earlier to forum member Adrian Lucas who is one of the Course tutors at Newark and who introduced the day. Initially the guitars made by students were on display in one room and it was good to see the workmanship up close. But the highlights were the demonstrations. In the morning they had brought along Steve Hicks who proceeded to play all of the steel strung guitars from the first and second year students. He tried to play pieces which he felt suited the style of guitar and commented on its construction, materials and quality. His remarks were encouraging to all and he took great care to make only the occasional constructive criticism. The highlight was probably a superb archtop made by one of the second year students. After a lunch break we came back and the 'demonstrator' on the classical guitars was Paul Gregory whose superb playing and in depth comments were of great interest to all. He was perhaps slightly more critical than Steve but all done very kindly and more concerning set up and minor detail and occasional grimaces at the quality of tuners and finer points of the nut position or saddle and shape of the neck. The day was in effect a 'passing out' for the students, both informal but constructive and must have been fabulous for the them to have their instruments played by such experts. The majority of the 'audience' seemed to be parents/friends but obviously some local players as well. Although the congratulations were directed to the students and the players the course tutors must have played a huge part in the creation of such excellent instruments and their dedication to the students was obvious. Final word perhaps of interest to the luthiers in our midst is that I think all (bar possibly one) of the 10 or so students came from abroad (sorry to the current political climate, I mean beyond our shores!); many from France and one from Norway. I don't know if this was unusual for this particular intake but the absence of budding British luthiers was noticeable and perhaps a bit sad. John Talking to Adrian last year it would seem that this course is very popular with French and other European students. I see the London course has now gone. It is a shame. SaveSave
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