Just a little update on #17

[tadol]

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    )  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 - 

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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[Daysailer]

......
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 -  

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.    

I have to agree about the F-III and the  Forum I's ( I have one of each also ).  They are awesome guitars.  
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.
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!            ds

[tuffythepug]

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.   

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.

[rpm60912]

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

[pennerblue]

Is that REALLY you Ricky?

[Danny]

  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)

[rpm60912]

Is that REALLY you Ricky?

Yes, indeed. Just occasionally here. Dreaming of the FIV, tempted to jump in. But, content with the FIII. ricky