Hogtop Charlotte/bluesman67's Green Mountain build w/ pics

[Sandro]

Cool !
I'm always happy to see new pictures of your beauty !   

[link]

That is a wonderful looking guitar! I have enjoyed looking at the pictures everytime I come on here. Can't wait to see it completed.

I have been so distracted by the pictures I am not sure if you have said it but I am curious of the reasoning behind that curved edge on top. Is it just for comfort while playing?  Also I don't know if my eyes are deceiving me but some of the picture it looks like the frets are on an angle and the other ones or not. Is it just the angle of the picture?

Thanks again! Hopefully you have it to enjoy over the holidays!

[bluesman67]

Thanks Sandro and link.

Link, you can go back and look at the pics and there's some explanation I've given on the frets.  You can see even how the top bracing changes.  I don't know how clear I was describing what it does, it's called a fan fret or multi-scale guitar.  I decided to copy a few descriptions that are better than I can give and put them here.  In short though, a fuller bass response and crisper highs.  It's like a piano, different string lengths to balance the tone and keep it clear, mine goes from 24.75" - 25.75" (short scale to long scale...or longer scale!).  I find it is less strain on my wrist to bar chords at both ends of the fretboard, it's slightly easier to play.

Bruce Sexauer, Luthier sexauerluthier.com
Tonal balance is THIS luthiers primary consideration, and multiple scales is a terrific tool. Think about the difference between an long scale Martin OM, and a short scale Martin 000 14 fret, virtually the same guitar except for the scale length.

On average, OM's have the focused bass, but often have a somewhat strident treble. Not bad, just bit edgy.

And the 000 will have the sweetest of trebles (Eric Clapton's namesake Martin is a 000), but compared to an OM it is a rare example that has clear bass projection.

My goal is simply to get both qualities on one guitar.

I am not talking volume so much as tone in this equation. It's just 1/2" of difference, but I find it quite profound in my work, and nearly a third of my last 5 years commissioned work has been my version of Multi-Scale, with many repeat orders.

I play one myself.

MikeD from AGF
I have 3 of them, and love the concept of the fan fret...

What you gain in a fan fret is the benefits of a longer scale length on the bass strings for a more developed bass response and a shorter scale length on the treble strings for a sweet and crisp treble response...added string tension with the longer scale lengths which is typically preferred with dropped tunings...One of my fan frets (16" lower bout) has a scale lengths of 27 - 25.625, giving the benefits of a deep baritone bass response while maintaining the crisp clear and powerful trebles of a traditional guitar. I find that a standard baritone does not have a treble response that appeals to me, but I love the bass you get out of it. This guitar has the bass response I love from a baritone AND the trebles I love from a regular guitar. To me it's the best of both worlds! ...

All three of them are remarkably balanced considering they each have 6 different scale lengths across the fingerboard...

[Zohn]

So Joseph, what 're you gonna do with the other guitars mate? 

This is a terrific guitar - love the bear claw -  hey what's not to like on this guitar??

[bluesman67]

[Danny]

Thanks Sandro and link.

Link, you can go back and look at the pics and there's some explanation I've given on the frets.  You can see even how the top bracing changes.  I don't know how clear I was describing what it does, it's called a fan fret or multi-scale guitar.  I decided to copy a few descriptions that are better than I can give and put them here.  In short though, a fuller bass response and crisper highs.  It's like a piano, different string lengths to balance the tone and keep it clear, mine goes from 24.75" - 25.75" (short scale to long scale...or longer scale!).  I find it is less strain on my wrist to bar chords at both ends of the fretboard, it's slightly easier to play.

Bruce Sexauer, Luthier sexauerluthier.com
Tonal balance is THIS luthiers primary consideration, and multiple scales is a terrific tool. Think about the difference between an long scale Martin OM, and a short scale Martin 000 14 fret, virtually the same guitar except for the scale length.

On average, OM's have the focused bass, but often have a somewhat strident treble. Not bad, just bit edgy.

And the 000 will have the sweetest of trebles (Eric Clapton's namesake Martin is a 000), but compared to an OM it is a rare example that has clear bass projection.

My goal is simply to get both qualities on one guitar.

I am not talking volume so much as tone in this equation. It's just 1/2" of difference, but I find it quite profound in my work, and nearly a third of my last 5 years commissioned work has been my version of Multi-Scale, with many repeat orders.

I play one myself.

MikeD from AGF
I have 3 of them, and love the concept of the fan fret...

What you gain in a fan fret is the benefits of a longer scale length on the bass strings for a more developed bass response and a shorter scale length on the treble strings for a sweet and crisp treble response...added string tension with the longer scale lengths which is typically preferred with dropped tunings...One of my fan frets (16" lower bout) has a scale lengths of 27 - 25.625, giving the benefits of a deep baritone bass response while maintaining the crisp clear and powerful trebles of a traditional guitar. I find that a standard baritone does not have a treble response that appeals to me, but I love the bass you get out of it. This guitar has the bass response I love from a baritone AND the trebles I love from a regular guitar. To me it's the best of both worlds! ...

All three of them are remarkably balanced considering they each have 6 different scale lengths across the fingerboard...

You really have something unique here and you already know this, but some of us are really into this project and observing all the details closely. Thanks so much, again for including us in this process and if you have more pics and information I think it's safe to say "the more the better".
    I have a chance to build my first guitar under a luthier, here in Austin starting in January. Due to a major change inn my little business I may have to miss this opportunity for now. But someday all the ideas I have gleaned from this thread, the F-III build thread and Jeremy's build (as well as Jim Holler and others advice etc.) will allow me to make something unique of my own.
     I also find it interesting that you acquired the Italian spruce top Larrivee recently. I think that was an excellent choice and you will have one of the most balanced collections of acoustics I know of very soon with this guitars completion and the others you now have.

         I look forward to future comments on the differences and preferences you have for each of your guitars.



btw I changed the color of your quoted comments to allow some to read it easier depending on their theme.

[bluesman67]

Very cool Danny, you will absolutely love going through the process and no doubt be prepared to make all the best choices for your special guitar.  I'm glad there's been a few folks here that are enjoying my build thread, I wanted to share...it's been fun to share with folks that appreciate what's being done...but also I wanted to give folks a unique view of by build experience just for folks like you Danny.  Someone who thought about building a guitar, or having on built that could use the info hear to someday form their own special guitar.  Oh and I will post more pics when I get them...all of them!

[GA-ME]

       I have a chance to build my first guitar under a luthier, here in Austin starting in January.

HMMMMMMMMMMm, I seem to remember someone in another thread, on short scale guitars, pretty much scoffing at my suggestion to do just this..............just talking!

[bluesman67]

[Danny]

HMMMMMMMMMMm, I seem to remember someone in another thread, on short scale guitars, pretty much scoffing at my suggestion to do just this..............just talking!

Didn't y'all know I have at least 2 personalities   One of them is a dreamer for sure.

               Back to your regularly scheduled program

[ncognito]

This Green Mountain dread is is soooooo gorgeous!!  I love the concept of of the fan fret neck for the tonal character, intonation, and ergonomics.  Congratulations Joseph.  I hope you get it soon.

        DAVE

[bluesman67]

Big updates, we are getting really close to the finish!  Here's the bridge, 35g on the button!







The gloss finish still needs buffing but all very thin 14 coats have been applied and it's cured for over 2 weeks.  MaGuires Nitro.

[Zohn]

   Veeery nice Joseph!
that is a beautiful and well designed bridge. The slope in the pins-area and the distance to the saddle will provide a great break angle for max pressure on the angled saddle.

I bet you're getting real restless now hey? - good on ye man!

[Danny]

  Looking very top shelf indeed.  The bridge design is unique, I have never seen one done with an angle before. But it makes very good sense to do it that way.

[bluesman67]

Thanks fellas, I am getting very excited.

[bluesman67]

Ready for buffing, buffing pics soon!

[bluesman67]

BUFFING IS DONE!!

[bluesman67]

www.greenmountainguitars.com

[Mr_LV19E]

The buffing really brought out the bear claw on the top, the whole guitar is just beautiful.  If it sounds as good as it looks you'll have a real keeper. Conrats.

[Zohn]

 
Stunning...