I just got my F3 #17 back from a little visit to the set-up expert at the Santa Cruz Guitar Company. Cost a few bucks ( a few more than I really wanted to spend :ohmy: ) but it is just amazing what they have done to this beauty -
Frets are all carefully dressed and polished. A carefully fit and intonated saddle from some of the fossilized mammoth ivory I brought back from my trip to Alaska. Action tweaked and adjusted to minimum with no buzzing. Playability is awesome, and the tone and volume exceed anything else I've ever played.
I had already installed some Colosi bone pins, and a set of Gotoh 510s. And I was able to get an archtop Larrivee case to keep her in when traveling - so all that's left is a nice walrus ivory nut, and maybe a little polish out to show off the italian spruce and rosewood - Next year -
So - at this point, all I can say is - to everyone looking for the best guitar in the world - your gonna have to settle for #2 - :bgrin:
Tad
Actually, F1 #17, my om hog top 12 fret, is probably #2, so I guess y'all can fight over #3 - I gotta get back to playin' -
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Quote from: tadol on November 25, 2009, 12:46:24 AM
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So - at this point, all I can say is - to everyone looking for the best guitar in the world - your gonna have to settle for #2 - :bgrin:
Tad
Actually, F1 #17, my om hog top 12 fret, is probably #2, so I guess y'all can fight over #3 - I gotta get back to playin' -
Glad you are happy with the 'hot rod'ing of your F-III. :nice guitar:
I have to agree about the F-III and the Forum I's ( I have one of each also ). They are awesome guitars. :thumb
I keep A/B testing them because in my head I cant justify keeping them both.....
But.... when I play them, there is no choosing between them.. My OM-MT Forum I even has year old strings, and it still impresses.
So I sort of listed my L Blackwood for sale. didnt play it for awhile.... then ..... start A-B-C testing all three.....Each has its own voice, but I love them all. Now my Blackwood is bacl on the "gotta keep it list" too. :rolleye:
I may have to get rid of my Gretch Americanna Cowboy guitar....naw, its in my work truck for lunch time nooners...
Back to the Forums..... very very special guitars, for sure! :thumb ds
Tad
I've met some of Richard Hoover's talented staff of craftsmen. No doubt you got your money's worth having them set up old #17. Makes me think that my #3 might benefit from a bit of a tweak. I plan to have the frets dressed and polished, a bone nut installed and a set of Gotoh open-back tuners installed as my Christmas gift to myself.
If my #3 has to be the third best guitar in the world I can live with that. :bgrin:
I'd seriously be considering the Forum IV if I wasn't so totally taken in with the III.
Tad we got to get together again and jam a bit. I'd love to hear #17 with my own ears.
Hey, I miss you guys... Tad & Tuffy.
I sure hope we can get together again in Vanc or should I ever be in the Bay area.
I would love to jam with y'all and hear the Top 3 Best Sounding souped up gits in the world.
ricky
Is that REALLY you Ricky?
:wave
Tad this sounds (and looks) really good. It is clear you have the best set up we know of on a F-III.
I did make a standard bone saddle for mine and have bone pins like yours as well. But since I'm a novice at this still I know your setup is far superior.
(So how much was this, If you care to tell us)
Quote from: pennerblue on November 25, 2009, 02:56:35 AM
Is that REALLY you Ricky?
:wave
Yes, indeed. Just occasionally here. Dreaming of the FIV, tempted to jump in. But, content with the FIII. ricky