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Post by vikingblues on May 8, 2014 18:46:31 GMT
A very interesting and entertaining article.  I can now really understand now just why the in depth discussions between builder and player are a really essential process. Sorry Dave, not really got any questions about the building process as such (not something I'm able to have done, so not thought much about it) but one thing that interests me, and it goes with your answer about enjoying hearing the first sounds of a new instrument. I felt that enjoyment to some degree with my much more basic (and shoddy!) attempts to put electric guitars together in the past, but I also felt a big load of nervous tension in the final run up to that point - lack of skill leading to lack of self confidence at least partly the cause I suppose. Do you have any of that apprehension in the few minutes before that first sound test, or maybe you used to have that and since found successes have made it stop happening? Anyway I doff my hat in respect and in admiration of your skills - I wish I was in a financial position that I could use your luthier skills  - the thought of the quality of a guitar that would result is quite mouth watering. Mark |
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davewhite
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Post by davewhite on May 8, 2014 19:03:07 GMT
Mark, Thanks - glad you enjoyed it. There's always a nervous tension when you await the first "birthing sounds". I'm confident enough in my skill to know they will sound very good but there are always going to be subtle nuances with each one and always a frisson of relief. There's also a belief that I shouldn't get "cocky" and take things for granted as there is always a "fall" waiting for me there - my Muses will bite me on the bum.  Makers that understand the "musicality" part of instrument making will always make great guitars - there's no "dogs" or "cannons" and all points in between. Their best guitar will be the next one they make and it's a marginal improvement each time. |
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Post by multistringsteve on May 8, 2014 20:17:53 GMT
Great interview, I really enjoyed reading it. I have a question... Have you thought about exhibiting abroad?
All the best
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davewhite
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Post by davewhite on May 9, 2014 9:53:02 GMT
Steve,
Great to see you around here again ! I'm not sure about exhibiting abroad. If I had to make a living out of guitar making definitely but as a "dilettante" maker I'm wary of building up foreign commissions due to the increasing paperwork of import/export of wooden things and the cost and complexities of dealing with warranty issues. Nice drives into Northern Europe where I could take instruments with me to display would be a possibility.
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missclarktree
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Post by missclarktree on May 12, 2014 18:13:21 GMT
I don't really know enough about steel string guitars to be able to ask an intelligent question, but I enjoyed reading the interview. It must be very satisfying to have developed that level of knowledge and skill by your own efforts, and to make something that's really appreciated by your clients.
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davewhite
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Post by davewhite on May 13, 2014 7:46:32 GMT
Alison - thanks, it certainly is very satisfying.
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colins
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Post by colins on May 18, 2014 10:55:44 GMT
Hey Dave, good to see you finally face the Inquisition!
We've shared a lot of information over the years and have discussed our building styles, philosophies and idiosyncrasies and we were the two founding and only members of GOLF, so we know each others instruments pretty well. So I'd like to ask a slightly different question.
What do you think that the future customer base for your guitars will be? It always used to seem that the main buyer for hand made guitars was the baby boomer generation, which I guess we both are, it was either the Japanese sport bike or the custom guitar when the kids left home and the disposable income increased.
The customer base for 'classicals' has always been different, but for my steel strings it now seems I'm also getting many more customers in their 20s and 30s. Have you found that?
By the way, Red Kite is really singing now.
Oh, did I really see the words 'lower main resonance'?!!!
Colin
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richm
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Post by richm on May 20, 2014 8:31:42 GMT
Very interesting article, you have some beautiful instruments!!
I have a couple of questions;
has making instruments changed the way you play?
Do you play more now you build instruments than Before you started?
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davewhite
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Post by davewhite on May 23, 2014 17:20:04 GMT
Colin, Thanks - we'll have to have a GOLF Club meeting soon  What do you think that the future customer base for your guitars will be? It always used to seem that the main buyer for hand made guitars was the baby boomer generation, which I guess we both are, it was either the Japanese sport bike or the custom guitar when the kids left home and the disposable income increased. The customer base for 'classicals' has always been different, but for my steel strings it now seems I'm also getting many more customers in their 20s and 30s. Have you found that? My customer base has been pretty varied in terms of age profile and I expect that to continue. I'm not sure I fit the "brand" that the baby-boomers are looking for. As I said in the interview I'd like to do more with the Young Acoustic Guitar Musician Competition to help upcoming youngsters that are brave enough to try making it a career. By the way, Red Kite is really singing now. Cool - I look forward to hearing it sing. Oh, did I really see the words 'lower main resonance'?!!! I can talk psuedo scintific acoustic guitar theory with the best of them - maybe I meant "lower the mainbrace"  |
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davewhite
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Post by davewhite on May 23, 2014 17:25:17 GMT
Richard - thanks. I have a couple of questions; has making instruments changed the way you play? Interesting question. I probably listen more to what I'm playing now with the makers "critical and inquisitive ear" and maybe explore more of the different sounds you can make on a guitar. I'm certainly playing more instruments than I would if I hadn't started making - harp guitars, acoustic lap-slides, guitar-bouzoukis, mandolins and tenor guitars probably wouldn't have featured otherwise. Do you play more now you build instruments than Before you started? I think I probably do play more now and also play more publicly with a regular slot at the local Folk Club and anywhere else that will have me. |
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- the thought of the quality of a guitar that would result is quite mouth watering.
Makers that understand the "musicality" part of instrument making will always make great guitars - there's no "dogs" or "cannons" and all points in between. Their best guitar will be the next one they make and it's a marginal improvement each time.
Jo whoever he is.
