Hello from Minnesota

[Jrcfiero]

Looks like a great place for advice from active builders. I have some experience building steel strings from scratch. About 20 guitars over the last 44 years. I’m still looking for the “secret sauce” - an instrument that plays like a dream and rings like a bell.

Jim

[Diane Kauffmds]

Hi Jim,

Welcome! You'll find us a friendly bunch. You're seeking the holy grail. We all are.

If it was a matter of certain woods, certain braces, and building technique, we'd all build the perfect guitar. But, two sets of wood from the same billet can sound different. I've heard beautifully built guitars with premium woods that sounded mediocre or at best, average. Yet one of the ugliest trainwreck of a guitar that I've ever laid eyes on, sounded utterly out of this world.

However, that's one of the allures of building.

[Kevin Sjostrand]

Welcome Jim
I just build them and hope to get lucky.
If you're currently building don't be shy to share the experience.

Kevin

[phavriluk]

I'm with Kevin on the hopes of getting lucky. It can be done, if I'm realistic about the thresholds of pleasure.

[rcnewcomb]

I’m still looking for the “secret sauce” - an instrument that plays like a dream and rings like a bell.

You live in an area with some talented guitar makers:

• Brian Applegate
• Charles Hoffman & Sons
• James Olson

Is your build style similar to theirs, or something completely different?