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I strung up my Koa guitar tonight. I have the setup close; tomorrow I am going to work with Rick Davis to get it set up properly. I have a bit too much space at the first fret, and I need to set the intonation on the saddle. It sounds pretty good. After I have it setup I will clean it up and take some real pictures.

Class!!
DaveB

I am glad to see the strings on the outside. I bet it is a beaut . Nice job indeed.

It sure does have a high "wow" factor!!!

David L

She turned out really sweet John. Nice nice, I forget; did you carve the neck on this one?
It looks really good.

Kevin

Excellent job! Really nice work. It seems that working alongside a pro really helps to get a nice finished product, eh? I bet she sounds amazing as well. On to #2!!

Gorgeous! how does she sound?

Thanks all for looking.

Ken I like the way it sounds, it has really good bass for a smaller guitar. I have not fixed the intonation on the saddle so as I play up the neck it is a little off.
Kevin, I did carve the neck using microplanes and those nice Italian patternmaker rasps. For me the neck carved itself. As instructed by Rick, I used long strokes the length of the neck. I found with the taper of the neck and the long strokes, the neck naturally shaped itself relative to the taper. The carving went really fast.
Tony, this is my sixth instrument, the experience working with Rick Davis was great. More than picking up new procedures was getting insight into how to think about the different processes; how to address problems and how to use tools. For example, really small changes in my use of chisels made huge differences in the outcome.

John

Its a great opportunity John. I wish my grandfather was still around to help me with my technique in using hand tools. I am certain I could be doing things better. Unfortunately for me, I do not have any luthiers nearby. I should look into a wood working class though. That might be smart!

After I setup the guitar I visited Rick Davis to learn how to really setup a guitar. I went home with a new instrument: great action, great sound and great intonation; It plays like I dream. I spent a little more time putting in the end pin, and re polishing the guitar. My daughter has it in time for the first rehearsal of her guitar teacher’s coffee shop jam. It will really be fun to see it played in a couple of weeks.
I promise this is the last of the pictures of this guitar, I am starting the one for my brother and I will finish the classical I have going.