dogwheel
Busker
Posts: 86
My main instrument is: Doodson by Phil-the-Luthier
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Post by dogwheel on Jul 6, 2024 12:00:37 GMT
Hello Luthiers, Back in 2019, my good friend Phil Gould, a master toolmaker who had retired to France and reskilled himself as a Luthier, built me a wonderful OOO Size? (Just fits in a Classical Hard Case) Acoustic Guitar, it's a lovely thing. Now he is going to build a pair of GA size 12 Fret Guitars, with cutaway, a Nylon strung one for himself and a Steel Strung electro-acoustic one for me, with old Mahogany Back and Sides.
My questions are: 1) I have to source the Spruce for the Top myself, I'm happy to pay for something fine AA or AAA? Any pointers or recommended UK suppliers (I'd rather not pay import duty on wood from the USA). 2) For those infrequent occasions when I might need to plug-in, I'd appreciate advice on what electronics to buy, just to complicate matters, I do like to have a Sound Port in the side of the upper bout.
I'll really appreciate any suggestions. Thanks,Robin.
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Post by borborygmus on Jul 6, 2024 14:48:45 GMT
1) I'd always heard good things about luthierssupplies.co.uk/ and David Dyke, although I have never been a customer myself. Also www.touchstonetonewoods.co.uk/, shop.exotichardwoods.co.uk/soundboards.html, www.touchstonetonewoods.co.uk/fronts-soundboards/c-459.htmlThe guitar builders on here will have better recommendations based on their experience, I'm sure. If one of these is near enough for you to visit, then go! I remember the thrill of specifying my first custom build guitar with Patrick James Eggle in his workshop, in the brief period when he only built acoustic guitars. I picked a beautiful rosewood set from his stash, and a European spruce soundboard. Patrick showed me how to choose the top based on tap tone. I was incredibly naive, and who knows if I picked the optimal materials. But the guitar turned out very well, and I know I hand picked those woods, so it remains a special instrument. 2) My thought would be a K&K Pure Mini - simple, no battery to worry about, inexpensive, good quality sound. YMMV. Looking forward to hearing more about your build. Peter
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colins
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 2,383
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Post by colins on Jul 6, 2024 16:59:43 GMT
As borborygmus detailed above, my two main UK suppliers were always from Chris at Timberline, shop.exotichardwoods.co.uk/ and David Dyke, luthierssupplies.co.uk/. Both have been in the business for many years and know their wood. Timberline were only about 20mins drive from me so I used to spend some time in Chris' stores picking my way through his great stock of tonewood. Again, K&K pure mini were the only pickup I would ever agree to install in a guitar that I made. To my ears they were the best straight wire with gain pickup that I found. Colin
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Post by Alan J on Jul 6, 2024 19:42:47 GMT
Luthier Supplies, aka David Dyke has always supplied excellent tonewood.
As for grade, buy the best he has, the price differentials are minimal.
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dogwheel
Busker
Posts: 86
My main instrument is: Doodson by Phil-the-Luthier
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Post by dogwheel on Jul 7, 2024 6:05:05 GMT
Thanks for the advice, I'm taking it all on board (unintended pun!), I'll probably go for the K&K Pure Mini, as suggested, please excuse my ignorance, but am I right in assuming that I'll be able to add an "inline" pre-amp if needed?
Robin.
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Jul 7, 2024 12:52:05 GMT
dogwheel - you can go straight from the K&K into a combo amp, as that then functions as a preamp. You can also put an external preamp before the combo if you wish for greater eq flexibility and possibly performing convenience - ie having some knobs you can reach without having to go near the amp. If you are plugging into a mixer then you may be OK direct in, but a preamp or basic DI box between the guitar and mixer would likely (though not necessarily) give a better result. Any long cable runs are better with XLR cables than jack leads to avoid loss of signal and tone degradation. basic DI box is probably the cheapest option, though something like a Boss eq pedal is fairly cheap, and gives eq and volume control too. All my instruments that get plugged in have K&K minis that I have fitted. I usually played through a preamp at my fingertips. If I want to play more than one instrument, then swapping instruments usually only requires (if anything) a slight volume tweak on the preamp. Also gives me an on/off switch for instrument changes. Keith
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dogwheel
Busker
Posts: 86
My main instrument is: Doodson by Phil-the-Luthier
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Post by dogwheel on Jul 8, 2024 8:07:22 GMT
Keith, Thanks for the info, which confirms much of what I have been guessing. I'll need Phil to check price and availability in France where he lives, then we can decide where to buy a K&K Pure Mini and Belt Clip PreAmp. Hope I don't get shot down in flames, but----life was simpler in the EU!
Robin.
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Post by gsans on Jul 8, 2024 8:52:18 GMT
Keith, Thanks for the info, which confirms much of what I have been guessing. I'll need Phil to check price and availability in France where he lives, then we can decide where to buy a K&K Pure Mini and Belt Clip PreAmp. Hope I don't get shot down in flames, but----life was simpler in the EU! Robin. I'd definitely recommend having a look on Thomann - usually lots of options, good prices and fast delivery (which I imagine will be even better in the EU, where they're based).
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dogwheel
Busker
Posts: 86
My main instrument is: Doodson by Phil-the-Luthier
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Post by dogwheel on Jul 8, 2024 11:27:56 GMT
Thanks gsans, that hadn't occurred to me, and should save wasted time/Customs. Robin.
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Post by Alan J on Jul 8, 2024 13:57:32 GMT
Thomann are a great supplier.
Last time I ordered stock 2023, they charged VAT on the goods. This was great as it avoided that dreaded uncertainty of paying VAT on entry to the UK as well as a £30 admin charge to work the VAT out by the courier.
Some euro companies are still l charging prices without VAT and leaving the bombshell to explode on delivery.
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dogwheel
Busker
Posts: 86
My main instrument is: Doodson by Phil-the-Luthier
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Post by dogwheel on Jul 9, 2024 20:08:33 GMT
Hey Alan, that is something to remember. Thank you.
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