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Post by andy3sheds on Jan 25, 2015 23:35:04 GMT
Now THIS is ugly Attachments:
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Post by colan on Feb 4, 2015 8:46:55 GMT
Can't see it, andy. Probably just as well.
Ol' Ugly arrives today, I'm unreliably informed.
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Post by colan on Feb 4, 2015 11:42:29 GMT
He's here ! Lovely sound- high action. I'll get him over to Chris George for a set-up when he warms up. Ugly, that is, not Chris.
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Post by colan on Feb 6, 2015 21:17:20 GMT
I took Ol' Ugly to Chris George's atelier today and he's lowering the action. While I was there I got to choose the soundboard for the gypsy jazz guitar he's building for me. I gave a dozen pieces the ' tap test ' and the one that appealed to me most was a dark cedar- which was what I had in mind anyway.
It's the first time I've ever handled any woods that were intended for a guitar of my own and I can't emphasise enough how much more pleasant and involving the experience is compared to distance buying.
I've been very lucky with my distance acquisitions but it's going to be blissful to watch this guitar appear from scratch.
Back and sides will be solid East Indian rosewood and the fretboard will be Maccasar ebony.
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007
C.O.G. 
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My main instrument is: 1965 Hagstrom H45E
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Post by 007 on Feb 6, 2015 23:21:56 GMT
Interesting build here look forward to seeing/hearing it finished
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Post by colan on Feb 10, 2015 19:57:12 GMT
I collected my revitalised ' Ugly ' today and he's vastly improved. Chris has done a great job, also curving the ebony bridge so that the new break-angle doesn't foul the original sharp shoulder behind the saddles. Action is down to 3mm ( 6th/12th ) and I'm experimenting with strings.
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Akquarius
Cheerfully Optimistic 
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Post by Akquarius on Feb 10, 2015 20:00:30 GMT
... and I'm experimenting with strings. Now you've made us really curious  |
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Post by colan on Feb 11, 2015 8:43:06 GMT
 I've accumulated dozens of nylon sets and I'm finding the individual strings which cause the guitar to ' leap'. So far it's a Fender classical nylon .043 on the bass and an ' Alice ' classical black nylon .0285 1st on the top. The right string sets up a resonance which I can feel right through the neck. We live and learn. I used to buy a branded set and whack 'em all on. |
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Post by colan on Feb 23, 2015 21:02:33 GMT
OK, I've fitted a set of the bridge beads which jonnymosco mentioned; acousticsoundboard.co.uk/thread/4272/nylon-string-questionand they work really well. I also struck lucky on a branded set of strings- Augustine ' Regal Blue ' High Tension- which give the Gitane lots of clarity and sustain. Next on my list - when the Augustines start to dull- is a set of D'Addario Pro Arte EXTRA HARD tension. The high tension strings feel closer to the light steels that I'm used to. I'm very pleased that I bought the Gitane. It's a different tack that I hadn't expected and a great way to spend my practice time whilst waiting for the Chris George oval hole gypsy guitar. Chris is currently building his jigs;  |
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Post by colan on Apr 28, 2015 19:41:08 GMT
Took Ugly back to Chris and he managed to knock another half mil off the action so he now plays beautifully. The oval hole is coming along nicely- cedar top, rosewood back and sides,black ebony fretboard. Pics to follow.
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Post by colan on Aug 17, 2015 16:47:25 GMT
It's nearly finished. Chris is waiting for the hand-made tailpiece and applying a matt finish. I'll post pics of the whole job when I receive the guitar as Chris provides an illustrated booklet with each custom build.
It was great to visit Chris's workshop and to handle dozens of selected wood sets before making my own choice. I chose my cedar soundboard by tapping them until I found one which produced a note that felt right and personal to me. Anybody considering a new guitar should go for a custom build because choosing your own wood is a MAJOR and essential experience in the development of a guitarist. Me and my gypsy job will be inseparable as a result of that moment.
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Post by colan on Sept 16, 2015 7:42:31 GMT
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Sept 16, 2015 10:17:17 GMT
Wow! Not half!  Incredible work on the headstock by the look of the photo, and is that second one the tailpiece?  A work of art in the making  |
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Post by colan on Sept 16, 2015 20:37:04 GMT
Yes, it's a hand-made tailpiece. We thought that the retail versions were all a tad tinny and the only dark ones we could find- as opposed to the regular shiny brass plate- were actually painted black ! It's a unique feature for a unique guitar- and I'm really looking forward to getting my mitts on it. |
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Post by colan on Sept 19, 2015 11:41:49 GMT
Chris is fetching it 'round tomorrow afternoon.  |
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I've accumulated dozens of nylon sets and I'm finding the individual strings which cause the guitar to ' leap'. So far it's a Fender classical nylon .043 on the bass and an ' Alice ' classical black nylon .0285 1st on the top. The right string sets up a resonance which I can feel right through the neck. 
Jo whoever he is.
