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I sent the following to John:
John - I have a plan for some simple, 3 string open-tuned instruments that I can make up cheaply and donate to to that Love 146 organization. They are finding that the kids they rescue are really helped with music as a therapy.

I want to present my ideas on the Forum, asking for input on the build. My plan so far is for a 00 sized instrument in a teardrop shape - not as many angles to bend - 3 inexpensive tuners that actually will keep it in tune - laminate back and sides, solid top - the woods do not have to be premium at all - run-out, knots etc no big deal - no pore filling, but a tough finish - a small built-in tuner - like that. Others will have better ideas and I'd like to hear them. I'd like to build them for under $75 - I'm unemployed and besides, these kids are in southeast Asia for the most part ( though there is a HUGE child sex slavery problem domestically, and I would want instruments available for our kids in the U.S. as well) and the instruments might not be treated as well as a Manzer $30K :-)

If you feel it is too far out of bounds for me to post anywhere on the Forum, I'll understand. If you give the okay, where would you want me to post it?

Thanks
Dave Bagwill

He wrote:


please do it with my blessing

_________________
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc

So I a soliciting your ideas for a sturdy yet musical instrument, about 00 size or a bit smaller. I am up to bending the tear drop shaped sides, I can join and thickness the wood, etc. Where to get suitable wood - not cosmetically perfect, not even necessarily matched, but sonically sound and pleasing? Any neck ideas - I will use a bolt-on of some sort - a good source for cheap but reliable tuners, that kind of thing.
It will be appreciated, and I will pass along that I have gotten help from this Forum.
Thanks

send address I will send you tuners and fretboards . and fretwire

My initial thought is that we could purchase many more instruments than we could build, factoring in the cost of the time donated. Not to mention that an inexpensive plywood 3/4 sized classical will be much more forgiving of any mistreatment (S/E Asian humidity) than a hand built instrument.

If we feel better about putting some time into the cause, the guitar linked above (or one like it) could definitely benefit from a basic setup, or a we could go in as a group and assemble a bunch of grizzly uke kits that could be enjoyed just as well. There was a Madison group that assembled a bunch of Grizz steel string kits for servicemen overseas, I think it was last year.

Wherever this leads, I'd be willing to donate anyway I can. Thanks for getting the ball rolling, Dave.

Let me know what I can do!

David L

Thanks guys.
I'm expecting another email from love146 from someone who works directly with the therapy. I've asked them to be as specific as they can about the actual need: ukes, mandos, guitars, harps or whatever works best for them. Then we can make some refinements to our plans. I will post as soon as I get it.

I like this . How can we all get involved ? I will allow you guys to use this forum to make this as public as you can . I know where we can get some ukes assembled also. I will try and see what we can do to help

I will be talking to the love146 folks, hopefully tomorrow. That should help us get a sense of direction.

No reply yet. I'm on it...

Hey Dave , wonderful plan.

Last week I got a few classical-sized tops (nice European Spruce) from my friend luthier Patrick Koopman, who got it from a family of an old man that passed away some years ago. Patrick did not know what to do with it and passed it on to me for free.

I would be honored to send you one of these tops across the ocean so it can find a great destiny.

Interested?

Herman

Gents - and luthiers too :-) - here's what I am going to do.

I'm going to build a few smaller sized instruments - nothing fancy - and donate them. The love146 group needs money more than instruments, so sending them a lot of stuff that they don't need is not efficient for the giver or the givee.

Feel free to send them a couple of bucks, or, if we want to give as a group, I'll be glad to collect the funds via paypal and will forward the money in the name of the group.

You are a generous and warm-hearted bunch! Or maybe I just caught you on a good day?? :-)

Many thanks
Dave