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Hi folks. I've been lurking for a bit, sucking up your wisdom, and enjoying your pictures. I recently began building one of Ken Cierpilowski's kits - AA size - 12 frets to the body - slot head neck - pyramid bridge - walnut back and sides - spruce top - maple binding.

It's my second guitar, though it's been about 7 years since I did that, and I did that one standing next to William Cumpiano from scratch. That (and William) was also a real pleasure, I might add. I thought I'd ease back into this via a kit. Ken has been terrific, responsive, patient with me. And his process is quite clever. Kudos to him and his support. And I've gotten great support from a couple of folks he introduced me to (TONY bears many thanks!). It's going well. So far - I have not needed to bring out the board stretcher (knocking on LOTS of wood).

Anyway, thought I'd say hi and post a few progress pics.

nice ,

Thanks John! And nice to make your acquaintance.

Welcome to the ganag...beautiful work so far, keep us up to date!

Hey Steve, welcome to the forum, nice clean looking work there, keep posting pictures and progress reports.

David L

Welcome Steve. You are doing a great job. Is that a 00 sized body? Not sure what you meant by AA.

AA is my brain freezing. Of course I meant 00 size.

What I am working up to (several guitars out) is copying an old Maurer (Larsen Brothers) guitar that I own. Thus, I figured I'd get used to working at roughly the same scale.

And thanks to all for the nice comments and welcome.

Hey Steve, good to have you around. It is looking good.
Question, is Cumpiano really as eccentric as he sounds in his book?

Kevin

:-) Bill is a character - but who isn't!?

He is an amazing craftsman, builds beautiful guitars, and he is a wonderful generous human being. There are lots of approaches - Bill has one that he learned from a number of teachers who also built great guitars. But remember - the Cumpiano/Natelson book was written a LONG time ago. And at that time, people were writing books with advice like using epoxy to join necks to bodies! His work was (remains) a very important book.

Bill is constantly innovating - still. I realize he is a lightning rod for some people - he is opinionated, but you will never hear me say anything but great things about him. And further, everyone is opinionated - at least he is not like a "guy in a diner' with an opinion about everything but a total blowhard in reality. HIS opinion is worth hearing as it is based on years of experience. Do I agree with everything he says blindly, ignoring all other opinions - no way! Ken, for instance, has a very interesting approach to building. I am very impressed. I am a student - and the chance to work with a master - any master - is a real gift - and be clear, Bill is a master. The two weeks I spent with him were delightful, meditative, and very satisfying. I think you'd enjoy him very very much. I follow his blog and posts.

Here's a pic of the guitar I built with him - a Maple OM body, curly mahogany binding.

That is a beautiful guitar, the back is clearly maple, what are the sides? Just so you know, it is my opinion that I'm not opinionated!

David L