New soundboard on MS guitar update
The Martin Simpson model to which I fitted a new soundboard (see News item 7 February this year) has been lacquered, strung and sold. It worked out well. Here are a couple of quick photos taken in my office.
It was bought by Rubén Bada of Asturias, Spain; here is his email.
Hello Stefan,
I picked up the guitar this morning (which is fast for an international delivery with customs involved). Immediately I could see the cosmetic flaws you mentioned on your website. But as a firm believer on “wabi sabi” I think this only adds to the personality of the guitar and its uniqueness. I think it’s one of the most beautiful instruments I’ve ever come across.
On the other hand it’s probably the best sounding guitar I’ve ever played and it’s playability is second to none.
Thank you very much for making such beautiful things.
Best wishes, Rubén.
When I wrote asking if I could publish his email he wrote back:
Hello Stefan,
I meant every word so feel free to use my mail if you want. The more I play the guitar the more I like it. When I play it I feel the same I used to feel when I was a classical guitar student and played high end nylon string guitars. The separation and clarity of the guitar is unreal, and still sounds huge. It has sounds I’ve rarely heard in steel string guitars. After a couple of days I feel a better player 😂😂
Thank you for this.
Yours sincerely,
Rubén
Messages like this make life worth living.
Colin proudly showing he can finger E major
Colin marking out a fingerboard
Janet profiling frets
Jonny testing the recording setup
Louis and Jonny setting up to record Douglas Fir New World
The old soundboard and dusty end of the fingerboard have been removed, leaving the top lining and the neck extension visible. The Wengé neck extension was reluctant to release the soundboard and suffered minor damage which will be sorted later. The body end of the truss rod is just visible.
The soundboard clamped on while the glue dries – I love these wooden cam clamps.
The soundboard trimmed to body size. The area above the neck extension had been removed before fitting.
The neck extension has been locked firmly against the soundboard, and the space above it filled with another piece of spruce. It sits proud but will be leveled when the glue is dry; the neck and body are now rigidly connected and everything is ready for binding.
I rout the binding and trim ledges with the ledge routing jig; the neck made life difficult and didn’t allow the jig to rout right up to it. So the last inch or so both sides I cut by hand. The neck also complicated fitting the neck end of the binding, which has to be fed between the soundboard and end of the neck.
The ledges complete, the binding and two piece trim have been bent to shape on the bender. I’ve mitred the tail end of the bindings to join up with the back trim, and all have been cut to exact length. I was now ready to bind.
The bindings and trim are glued and firmly bound with garish tape. This could be the colour James Joyce described as ‘a scrotum tightening shade of green’.
Ebony bridge blank
Bridge shaped and matched to soundboard curve, holes and saddle slots cut
Looking perfect, now ready for Dave and the spraybooth. The taped off bridge area can just be seen, the tape will be removed after lacquering so the bridge glues onto bare wood.
Much loved 2020 African Blackwood and German spruce 2D with Santos rosewood binding
