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Post by nkforster on Aug 14, 2014 7:54:04 GMT
It feels a bit like choosing the right architect to design your house (not that I've ever had the luxury, just have a passing interest in architecture). It's a collaboration between individuals that somewhere along the line, meet in the middle and push each other creatively. You need to find the right professional to realise your dream in the first place but you also need to be a good client and have a reasonable idea of what you want to use your space for as well as what you want it to look like. I wonder how many potentially wonderful houses have been compromised in the final analysis by inconsistent design features insisted on by a stubborn client: or vice versa. Cheers, Vince That's a decent analogy. Find the person who does what you like rather than trying to get someone to fit in with a certain spec. Another would be cars - Its a good idea to order a Rolls Royce from Rolls Royce if its a Rolls Royce you're after. Not Morgan. They make good Morgans. Better than anyone else! A few years back one chap emailed me asking for an instrument that had just about every “modern innovation” you can imagine in it. My impression was he didn't know much about my work – as whilst it’s certainly experimental, I don’t follow every single new design idea, unless it really interests me. So I was a little surprised he had contacted me with such a convoluted list of “innovations”. Needless to say the commission didn't happen - we just weren't matched. A few months later, while I was talking to a group of friends in the trade at the luthiers BBQ in London (remember that anyone?), this chap’s name came up – every one of us had been sent the same spec asked for a price! He had no interest in our “sound” or in what any of us had to offer – he just wanted “his spec” and at the cheapest price. I’m not sure if he actually ordered from anyone. I tend to avoid customers like this. But some makers actually specialise in this - they enjoy doing the crazy stuff. The more variety and challenges the better. That's the question - what is this maker's work about and is it in alignment with what I'd like? It is important to look at the makers work, and try it out if possible. If not, go through the videos and sound samples. Do they do what interests you? Is it close? If it is you've a good chance of things working out well. Good luck, Nigel www.nkforsterguitars.com
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Post by nkforster on Aug 12, 2014 9:45:15 GMT
However, I wouldn't by any means claim to know my onions when it comes to mandolins, so that's shallot from me for now. Keith Oh, that's terrible Keith. Wish I'd thought of it. nigel www.nkforsterguitars.com
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Post by nkforster on Aug 12, 2014 8:53:45 GMT
Nigel, I doubt that anyone is getting too upset! And I can't speak for davewhite but suspect: "Cheap instruments tend to have flat, thin, curved, bent or canted soundboards of spruce or cedar. Superior work is carved from solid spruce or Western red cedar" might be involved somewhere! Along with: Cheaper mandolins often have a flat topand, ermm... carving a recurve takes time and skill, two qualities not available to every makerLoving the idea of a possible road trip mando Is there anything so controversial there? Seems fair enough to me. Hey ho. Nigel www.nkforsterguitars.com
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Post by nkforster on Aug 12, 2014 8:19:11 GMT
... and I would argue strongly against the 'cheap and inferior' tag; I just love 'em I think before everyone gets too upset it might be an idea to show the "cheap and inferior" quotes. Which are the lines from my article that are causing the upset? And yes, a road trip mandolin might well be in order by the end of the year. Nigel www.nkforsterguitars.com
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Post by nkforster on Aug 12, 2014 6:27:24 GMT
A few weeks ago I asked about few friends and on the forums who their favourite "Celtic" players were. I’ve since asked some of these players their opinions about the instrument. The replies were great, and too much for just one article, but for now I’ve written a post for my blog entitled "What is a "Celtic" mandolin? Here is a link: www.nkforsterguitars.com/blog/celtic-mandolin/Thanks to all those who contributed, Nigel www.nkforsterguitars.com/instruments/mandolin/
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Post by nkforster on Jul 6, 2014 11:33:46 GMT
Cheers for that Nigel. Going off topic a bit but I really enjoy reading your travel/volunteering posts at your site's blog. Ta. Did you download your copy of the blog archive? You get one when you sign up. i know folk want to read about guitars but I get a bit bored with guitar making blogs, they can get a bit repetitive. I've a new post planned though which should keep folk happy. nigel www.nkforsterguitars.com
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Post by nkforster on Jul 6, 2014 9:36:22 GMT
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Post by nkforster on Jun 27, 2014 12:29:37 GMT
I've wrapped several hundred guitars for shipping over the last few years. Actually last year was the first break I've had, and I have to say it was a little suspicious...but that's another story. I work on the assumption they are not going to let the guitar in the cabin with you. So you have to wrap well. First inside: after slackening the strings and either taping over the bridge pins or removing them and the strings all together, wrap under and over the head with bubble wrap so it can't move. Whiplash is the biggest cause of heads coming off. Then if there is any slack in the case for movement....more bubble wrap. You don't want the guitar to be able to move in the case. At the same time you don't want it so packed it that blows will be transferred to the instrument. Outside: I prefer the big bubbles first. Wrap in about 4-6 layers, cut and tape all the joints. You want enough layers to be able to bounce the thing. I'm not kidding. Leave the handle sticking out so it can be carried the right way up. Then 2-4 layers of smaller bubbles to protect the big ones. That's the way my old boss got me to do it and it works. Next, buy that "fragile"tape and tape up every seam. Then photograph it, just in case. If you don't want to go through all that, Aaron Jones gave me a tip years ago. He said, if the person at check-in desk refuses to let you carry it on, ask "Could I borrow you pen please?" Yes "Tell me your name please so I can write it down...my insurance company tells me they've had more success suing individual employees than companies when there has been damage!" Apparently that's worth a try as a last resort! Don't know if it works, but you never know. Nigel www.nkforsterguitars.com
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