tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17840841161857625702024-03-05T01:33:27.000-08:00TLGuitars Build BlogTodd, TLGuitarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00925420299462108101noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784084116185762570.post-40760889119902097542011-05-01T18:50:00.000-07:002011-05-01T20:00:58.650-07:00Big Leaps and Taking Chances.I've been feeling like I've been on the edge of something good for a while now ( a few years really). And I now find myself on the precipice of something big. A big big change in my building, my art and my life is just weeks away. This is what I'm trying to do now... all at once: <br /><br />Write about guitars and guitar related topics for my favorite magazine. <br />Build guitars. <br />Teach classes on how to build guitars. <br />Guitar Teching for bands. <br />Tour with a band as tech. (Big deal, big chance for me to add to something cool.)<br />I'm developing guitar related apps for the IPhone. (With waaaaay cool dudes.) <br />Teaching apprentice how to build and better his work. <br />Repairing guitars for a Store.<br />Restoring insane killer vintage guitars.<br />Working with an amp builder on cool things.<br />Taking pictures of cool art for guitar related projects.<br />Taking photo's for my articles.<br /><br />Ok so that's a lot (yes I'm guitar obsesed, what else is new right?) but things are moving steadily in the right directions and I'm still learning more now about myself and my art. I realized this weekend, well the past few months really, that I'm doing exactly what I went to school for. Blending music and journalism and even incorporating the time I worked at the stores; the Fetus, Carlsons, and GC... Heck even my summer Photography studies in HS and my summer tours with bands in college are playing into what I'm doing now and what I'm going to do starting the next couple of months.<br /><br />This summer will mark a change (for a while anyway) in the TLGuitars world and as such I will be able to re-commit myself to working more on and in all aspects of my art. Thanks to a couple of new work opportunities, a store to do repairs for and a tour with an artist I can't wait to aid, I will finally get to "go to work" during the day time hours and then have family time in the evenings- like every other working parent. The dream as a stand alone builder really. The year before the kids came I built 22 guitars. I'm hoping to push myself to see what I can do when given the chance of full time day hours again, and the most important thing, to work when the sunlight is filling the shop. <br /><br />I guess the thing is, my existential moment has hit and I finally feel like it's all in my hand, under my control. It's a weird settling felling, resolved and steady... thank God for my wife, my love.Todd, TLGuitarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00925420299462108101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784084116185762570.post-17111319977377192892010-11-12T11:04:00.000-08:002010-11-12T11:06:15.845-08:00New Rogue Valley, Chris KozaThese guys are old friends. Great songwriters and great people.<br /><br /><br /><object data="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/track=138157336/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB//" type="text/html" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="400" height="100"><param name="movie" value="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/track=138157336/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB//"><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowNetworking" value="always" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><object data="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/track=138157336/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB//" type="text/html" width="400" height="100"></object></object><br /><br />Here's the newest tune. It's great in so many ways. Just thought I'd share.<br /><br />ToddTodd, TLGuitarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00925420299462108101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784084116185762570.post-66021225268623535352010-10-01T12:45:00.000-07:002010-10-01T13:05:38.991-07:00Fretboard Journal website.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuONSlvU_StA6Iuw5PkqSubIEQGPn_YqemTeSd6NWI_fim9xFlrx8qKRTkJf_wou0RW8MFAW5N9RY4AkHWdqvZqwX8LXe5dsuGGsk3etFTk_YA-fXBAR4qey2VMFLm0L7M5I8L5Ky3mk/s1600/fj19_cover_72.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 164px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuONSlvU_StA6Iuw5PkqSubIEQGPn_YqemTeSd6NWI_fim9xFlrx8qKRTkJf_wou0RW8MFAW5N9RY4AkHWdqvZqwX8LXe5dsuGGsk3etFTk_YA-fXBAR4qey2VMFLm0L7M5I8L5Ky3mk/s200/fj19_cover_72.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523170112571443506" /></a><br />I just noticed that the magazine I write for has just updated and revamped it's website. I was out in Seattle visiting my brother a few months back and while I was there Jason and I spent some time walking the streets of downtown Seattle just to hang out for a while. He told me then that they were going to be redoing the site, "Just because" and that I should be on the look out. Well that was months ago and I am just checking now and man it looks great.<br /><br />Big ups to the FJ guys for doing it up great... again!!<a href="http://www.fretboardjournal.com/">The Fretboard Journal</a>Todd, TLGuitarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00925420299462108101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784084116185762570.post-2254278331220449852010-09-08T19:03:00.000-07:002010-09-08T19:50:48.381-07:00Musical influence reversed.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/blog/DSC_0199-1-1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 459px; height: 326px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/blog/DSC_0199-1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Ok, every once in a while I'm blessed with Kismet, and it seems to happen in twos. In college when I was working on my Michael Hedges research paper and I was let into the storage closets of his long time booking agent. I was able to photo copy his (Michaels) old press clippings, photos, promotional materials, contracts and tour riders.<br /><br />Shortly after I was sitting behind stage at a Guided By Voices show that I booked and I told the backline tech I hired from the cities about my "Hedges paper." I quoted something from Acoustic Guitar magazine that I had been hanging onto pretty hard and he looked at me and said, "I said that! That was me!!" Turned out my "backline tech" was Michael's Front of House Sound tech and best friend for the last years of Michaels career. INSANE!!<br /><br />It happened again in twos, see the pervious post for number 1, but the second instance was this. <br /><br />I tech for a band in town and we did a show in WI where our opener was really good (I mean really, really, really good) but I didn't really pay much attention to <span style="font-style:italic;">who it was</span> as I was meeting him during the changeover and after the show, I just remember I really liked what I heard. Fast forward 2 years and I'm on a short tour with the same local band and we were listening to my new favorite local WI artist turned "NPR top 10 albums of the decade" and one of the guys in the band says, "Hey Todd, don't you remember, he opened for us in WI."<br /><br />Here's the deal, I've built my last 20 guitars to his album and ep, total shop staple, daily part of my build routine. Listening obsessively and all the while constantly thinking, "man I'd love to tech for him, wouldn't it be cool if..."<br /><br />Kismet number two, a couple of weeks ago I get a call and from a referral from some other amazing friends guess who's guitars show up in my shop!Todd, TLGuitarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00925420299462108101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784084116185762570.post-69324135177411864402010-09-08T18:29:00.000-07:002010-09-08T18:59:24.036-07:00MN Guitar makers dream!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/blog/jo19.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/blog/jo19.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />So a couple of weeks ago I was able to help out a local guitarmaker, I spent 2 days doing some simple tasks that required abs and manual labor, and while it was only 2 days I feel like I learned more during that time then I have in quite a while (no offense Bryan G and Sam... you guys are a close second).<br /><br />The main thing I learned by working hard and watching harder was that I have no finesse in my building. I'm just working step by step, build by build. I need to plan and pre-assist my building the way he does. Build in those "double-check and pre-check steps into my work so I can stay as consistent as his guitars are. His work is the goal and the standard for me and now I know how much I have yet to work on.<br /><br />While I was in his shop I came to realize that I was doing a step that wouldn't feel impact for 20 steps from the current step. He had FUTURE steps built into his process that I had never thought about. He is way smarter about his work then I have ever been and I need to acclimate to level of "think-it-through."<br /><br />His is art with purpose.<br /><br />I was happy to be of assistance to him. It was nice to work hard and really learn and re-strengthen my skills on the few steps I was able to do. It was an honor and I gained a lot from helping. I was happy to help a friend and mentor of sorts... who has put up with me, more then he should.Todd, TLGuitarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00925420299462108101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784084116185762570.post-12441327370568282912010-07-13T17:16:00.000-07:002012-08-23T08:22:39.765-07:00New Classes Announced<a href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/ClassBuilds/DSC_0182.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/ClassBuilds/DSC_0182.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 425px; width: 640px;" /></a>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Acoustic Guitar Construction:</span>
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10 Class Period Slots plus 2 additional weekend build days TBD.
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Students will build a Classic Pennsylvania Style OM, 25.34 scale acoustic guitar from scratch. We will make, thickness, shape, and assemble all parts of the guitar in class. Focus will be on the construction of the box, bracing the top and back, the rosette, the bridge, and the neck.
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Class cost is $3,000.00 (Includes Cedar Creek Custom Case).
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Electric Guitar Construction:</span>
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10 Class Period Slots plus 2 additional weekend build days TBD.
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Students will build a Modern, Carved Maple Top, Double Cutaway, 25" scale Electric Guitar from scratch. We will make, thickness, shape, and assemble all parts of the guitar in class. Focus will be on neck to body construction, carving the top, shaping the neck and pre-planning for the wiring scheme.
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Class Cost is $3,000.00 (Includes Cedar Creek Custom Case).
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Fundamentals of Guitar Design and Jiggery:</span>
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5 Class Periods.
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This six week course will focus on the designing of a single instrument from start to finish. Students will follow the process of designing both an electric guitar and an acoustic guitar from it's origins on paper to it's final construction stages. The molds, jigs and fixturing process will be explained and blue printed so the student will leave with the ability to make their own guitars using the processes shown in class.
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Class Cost is $1,500.00<br />
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With all classes students will receive a list of all personal tools needed for the class.Todd, TLGuitarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00925420299462108101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784084116185762570.post-56334351507253771082010-07-12T10:21:00.000-07:002010-07-12T10:32:45.826-07:00Announcing: The School at TLGuitars.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/Sonic%20Sitka/DSC_0369.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 425px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/Sonic%20Sitka/DSC_0369.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:</span> <br /><br />Todd Lunneborg Guitars in Andover MN announces The School at TLGuitars.<br /><br />After years of touring and production work Todd Lunneborg has decided to start teaching Guitar Construction classes from his home shop in Andover MN.<br /><br />The School at TLGuitars will offer classes in Acoustic and Electric guitar construction as well as classes in both basic and advanced guitar design, tooling and jiggery.<br /><br />“Minnesota is a modern hub for world class guitar makers, the best of the best are all here in Minnesota,” says Mr. Lunneborg, “If I can share that sense of local history, passion for guitars made locally, and have that translate over to my build students; what could be better?” <br /><br />After the success of the first two Acoustic guitar construction classes, Todd decided to move from a local wood stores cabinet shop set-up classroom to his own shop in Andover.<br /><br />“While my shop is a little out of the way for most people, there’s no match for a real guitar shop as a classroom setting, it’s already perfectly climate controlled and tooled up for any correction that my be needed, on the spot, during the education process,” Mr. Lunneborg said. “My shop is a much better space to learn the art of guitar making; that’s how I want to teach.”<br /><br />Todd Lunneborg has been building and repairing guitars for nearly 20 years. Along with his regular customers, and new commissions, he is a regular contributor to the Fretboard Journal Magazine.<br /><br />Contact:<br /><br />Todd Lunneborg<br />Todd Lunneborg Guitars<br />contact@tlguitars.com<br />4420 158th Avenue NW<br />Andover, MN 55304<br />612-991-9360<br />www.tlguitars.comTodd, TLGuitarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00925420299462108101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784084116185762570.post-30855048967385316652010-03-29T13:07:00.000-07:002010-04-08T13:54:07.148-07:00Michael Gulezian: From Tears to Giggles and Screams!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/mikeg/DSC_0180.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 425px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/mikeg/DSC_0173.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/mikeg/DSC_0175.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 425px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/mikeg/DSC_0174.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/mikeg/DSC_0177.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 425px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/mikeg/DSC_0175.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/mikeg/DSC_0174.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 425px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/mikeg/DSC_0180.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/mikeg/DSC_0173.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 425px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/mikeg/DSC_0177.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />So I finally finished the next 2 GH's and delivered them to my pal Michael Gulezian for approval. <a href="http://www.timbrelinemusic.com/home.html"></a><br /><br />There's something that happens when you move past the ambition to sell something... to be a "Luthier" for the sake of sounding cool and important <span style="font-style:italic;">and</span> magazine worthy; into just letting the work serve your friend and his passion. The core of building for me is my own passion (that same passion I think) and the connection I have with my friends. God knows they aren't just "customers" when it's this much fun and so connected to myself.<br /><br />Michael and I met at a college concert Booker's convention when I was a Sophomore at St. Olaf. I was a "serious" Fingerstyle major and "Hot-Shot-Snot" to match my playing 6-10 hours a day; I was the coolest and knew it<span style="font-style:italic;"> all</span> (according to me). I came across Michael's booth when Michael was not there and I started reading his press that was out on the table and I came across the quote "A great Guitarist, my kindred spirit" - Michael Hedges.<br /><br />Now, Hedges was my God back then (still is really) and to find a Hedges quote saying that this guy was good, well I needed to meet him. So I stood around and waited and Michael came up and we, started. Now with Michael you don't just "start." He is a man with passion and quirks that range from a laugh that shakes the walls of any room he's in to crying hysterics that rumble through his core when speaking of something that's just not as it should be... or right with the world. There's no level 1-7, it's 8-10 all the time on every subject; in <span style="font-style:italic;">every</span> setting.<br /><br />After a few minutes talking he ordered me into a stairwell, serious a stairwell! He grabbed his guitar case in one hand and my arm in the other and ordered me to come with him. Now we we're in a large civic center so the stairwell was the closest private space (obviously) and upon arrival he ransacked his guitar case and threw his guitar to me, sat down like a 4 year old waiting for story time (expectant grin and all) and asked, "Play?"<br /><br />I tuned and started to play...<br /><br />Remember, there's something that happens when you move past the ambition to sell something... past the point of acting cool- cooling out your audience because your "the best," playing the hardest thing you know because you want them to think, "man that's impressive" and you just let yourself play. He heard me. The core of my playing and my abilities. Half way through the first tune he screamed and laughed and our stairwell rang; through all 4 flights of concrete and steel and for what seemed like minutes or pure hysterical reverb. Shivers down your spine sort of thing.<br /><br />There's nothing like that connection, person to person, spirit to spirit. That stairwell conversation shaped my life the same way my best mentors have always shaped my life. Just 20 minutes, player to player and I was affected in a way not many ever are.<br /><br />So now, 15 years later, I built 2 guitars.Todd, TLGuitarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00925420299462108101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784084116185762570.post-22452631242939943282009-08-25T18:27:00.000-07:002009-08-26T09:14:43.059-07:00Just past healdsburg and beyond "What's Next!"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/healdsburg2009/019.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 426px; height: 639px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/healdsburg2009/019.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/healdsburg2009/009.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 426px; height: 639px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/healdsburg2009/009.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/healdsburg2009/006.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 426px; height: 639px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/healdsburg2009/006.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/healdsburg2009/PeopleAreMagnetsphotos005.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/healdsburg2009/PeopleAreMagnetsphotos005.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/healdsburg2009/PeopleAreMagnetsphotos004.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/healdsburg2009/PeopleAreMagnetsphotos004.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />So it's been a week-plus past Healdsburg and I have a lot to think about. I was happy with what I took for my own work, but not thrilled. I've got my issues to work on and that's great, but I didn't take an attention grabber to the show and that's the key, the state of the modern custom guitar builder is an interesting one in that we are limited by the instruments we build. Everyone's looking for a guitar that sounds "amazing" or is some composite approximation of what is "perfect" when the truth is an acoustic guitar can only do so much, even when it's done right.<br /><br />My experience concerning the other builders at the show was that all the builders who were there had great instruments, they were all done right. You could go from booth to booth and strum the strings of any guitar on the table of one builder and move on to the next builder, strum the strings and it would <span style="font-style:italic;">sound the same</span>! It didn't matter if it was a known makers guitar or an unknown makers guitar. If done well they all sounded the same, or generally the same taking in size and depth variation. Now there are makers out there who are "voicing" their instruments to sound for different qualities then other builders, "responsive" or "projective" or not; you can gauge a builders orientation by a few sounding and vibrational factors and to my ears everyone was in the same ball park.<br /><br />I've read some online postings (that's the problem right?) that said they were unimpressed with the guitars out at Healdsburg or that they had this complaint about the shows setup or lack of space for this or that. It was interesting to read some of the builders perspectives and contrasting those with buyers/players/soon-to-be builders perspectives. To me if one was really at the show to buy an actual guitar there were amazing spaces to try an instrument to it's fullest and as a builder we had nothing to complain about. If I really wanted to "buy" a guitar I'm the kind of guy who will sneak a chair into the bathroom or ask a security guard if I can sit in the stairwell behind him in order to check an instrument. Perfect acoustic space doesn't matter. I love the way my guitars sound, on a stage or in the bathroom.<br /><br />I was completely impressed with nearly all of the builders at the show. Some guitars weren't my playing or sonic taste, or my visual aesthetic but they all sounded very well and were well built. I was able to play some of the extremely famous and/or the newly sought after "rising star" guitar makers instruments and to be completely honest some I loved, but more often then not I was unimpressed with portions (some small, some large) of the guitar makers work from a builder and a players perspective. Weather it be neck shape or finish quality or projection issues, which in the end are all "builders choice" issues and had I wanted to actually commission an instrument they were all things that could be changed to my player preferences easily.<br /><br />What made them famous or a "rising star" was they they had done something amazing earlier in their career or had worked with some other famous maker or had used some new build technique to draw people in to start, a "wow that's cool" or "they came from this" factor. I don't have the famous maker to lean on and unfortunately I'm a copycat. Building a MN shape with my own appointments for the small details but not noticeable enough to set me apart(yet). Because even as I'm trying to stand on my own I favor that MN shape and it's famous traditions so that all my detail work goes unnoticed to someone just walking by. I didn't have a wow factor, I had great Brazilian Rosewood but there were finish issues with my guitars so that even when someone did stop and look they could see the flaws and they would move on.<br /><br />I'm not undercutting my instruments, they played and sounded just as good, if not better (for my builder perspective focus areas) then most guitars out there I'm simply saying, and saw, the exact same responses from guys who looked at finish details like I look at finish details (all inclusive guitar in it's finished form "finish details") from a player perspective. I would have set my instruments back if I was just at the show shopping too.<br /><br />But that's what's cool I think. I am extremely judge-mental from the player perspective, I look at all the details, "fit and finish" (standard builder stuff) but I also look at the player perspective things, "How will this guitar sound in a room with 3 family members, in a coffee shop with 1 bad mic and a really bad PA and 23 people, will this give me more then just what I can hear in the 3-4 foot circle around me?" Not to mention, "can I play this guitar for 6 hours without it cutting off my arm or causing me to change my playing posture to get around some of it's 'fit and finish' issues?" To me that's the reason I know I'm going to make it as a builder, I can be down about my own work but it's because I'm focusing on the whole picture. I want to make guitars as good as the player inside the builder is.<br /><br />My 3 builder types, the way I think about myself and other builders:<br />1. Some guys are great guitar builders. "Fit and finish" is clean and looks perfect, but sonically their instruments lack player perspective or sound perspective in some form. Hard corners, joint transitions aren't smooth for hand posture changes, or it doesn't project enough for the the players needs. They are usually traditional shape builders, copying the shapes and traditional of the "old" guitars. The ones that built the market and the demand for "custom versions." These guitars are great and the builders are amazing but they are not transcendent or above the norm.<br />2. Some builders are great guitar designers. They dream up some new approach that grabs the attention of a portion of the market and that builds a following because of the fresh approach. Whether it actually improves the sound or playability of the instrument is a whole other argument that in the end doesn't really matter to me in this classification because the builder has built a great guitar with this new idea as it's center piece and more often then not they are based on some traditional shape or style but they have included their design to push the limits of what was once tradition.<br />3. And some builders are guitar makers. Where their builds make the guitar an instrument in every <span style="font-style:italic;">true</span> sense of the word. Gifted art and gifted build techniques meets successful acoustic / sonic qualities. The whole picture. The best blend of the the 1st 2 classifications but somehow above and beyond in their final instrument. The hardest version of my three subsections to get right.<br /><br />In reality all builders are part or contain parts of all three of these classifications but some areas fit some builders better then others. I need more of the design and sales side. A guitar with a fresh perspective or individual design to draw people to my table to "really look" at what (and how) I'm building.<br /><br />Here's the way my Healdsburg weekend went. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thursday:</span> I arrived early feeling excited and pumped up. 4 guitars with me. Brandi and I set up the stands on the table and I changed 2 sets of strings. There was a builder meet and greet that we walked into but after arriving I got embarrassed and insecure because I didn't "know" anyone and those I did know were all the guys who's work I had been obsessing over for years that I was too afraid to go up to.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Friday:</span> Show up and set the guitars out, polish what I can and am excited for the show to start. As the day goes on I notice more and more issues with my own guitars. Thumb scratches in the finish from wiping glue from around the fretboard lap over the body. A couple of missed but well hidden burn through spots right in the transitions from purfling to binding (thank god for nitro, I can fix it all). And the worst one, a drop fill that I completely missed right on the top of a sellable guitar. Not bad in general, completely fixable once I get home but to be visible at one of the premier shows for guys like me in the country and to be under the weight of my own expectations for a good showing I start to fade (confidence wise) near the end of the day.<br /><br />Tallies:<br />5 sit and plays<br />2 quiet room plays<br />8 Fretboard journal subscription cards<br />Good first day for a new guy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Saturday:</span> Slow to set up. Frustrated at myself and "the situation I've placed myself in," I look for ways to cover up or hide my errors. By the time lunch rolls around I'm completely embarrassed. Had a couple of guys come up and hold guitars and check the finish (hands out and rotated the guitars under the lights like they were in the shop looking for what I should have found) and put the guitars back without playing and without comment. Mortified. Lunched at 2:30 and was so sad that I left my table and decided to play my favorite builders guitars for some re-encouragement. Went to my new favorite builds booth, who's instruments I'd never played before, just seen in magazines, and played their newest and most expensive guitar (one of the most expensive at the show), and I hated the guitar! Hated it!!<br /><br />Sonically not my taste, it was really quiet and didn't drive like I love makers guitars to do. It was complete and full but it didn't shine for me. The neck was way wrong to my preference, and the finish had sinks from insufficient pour fills all over the entire back, sides, and neck (every pour). I never felt so good about my own work and my 7 sink spots, 3 burn throughs, and 4 nail scuffs. Even my hero maker, who I will talk up to anyone that asks, has some issue that they are working on or would need to drastically change for me to be interested in their guitars as a player/customer. I'm not saying the guitar wasn't great or that it wasn't impressive (it was and it is) it is just completely not for me in any of my play/feel/sound perspective respects.<br /><br />After the show went and ate and went to the builder party at one of the worlds best maker's home shop and took lots of pics!! Coolest guy ever and one of the best guitar makers the world has ever seen.<br /><br />Tallies:<br />9 sit and plays!!<br />0 quiet room plays<br />11 Fretboard journal subscription cards<br />Great steady day for a new guy, even with the hard start. FBJ guys came and hung out and so did Baker from the Woodstock guitar show. Roller coaster day. Big writer day. Hot and cold builder day with a super cool end. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sunday: </span> Got there early to play more guitars. The builders were allowed an open hour and a half to play the other builders work. So I put out my guitars and walked the show without the chatter of show-goers. And I played one of a "rising stars" guitars. The builder has a great pedigree and design perspective and is gaining a steady customer base. The instruments price for nearly double my base price and they have only been building on their own for 1/3 the time I have. We've both been focused on acoustics for the same amount of time, but anyway I hated their guitar too (from my player perspective). Their really great design ideas didn't translate into a fluid players instrument from the headstock through the joint at the body. The joint was awkward. The top was tap tuned to it's booming potential but I couldn't hear enough from my perspective just above it to hear the voice of the guitar. Like everything it had sound wise went out front and I was left with ear plugs in trying to hear the little remaining sound through the sides and back. Neck shape and joint were not my fav but is an easy thing to change. But he was getting the audience draw and sales at double my price at the show.<br /><br />Changed 2 sets of strings and cranked my trusrods to sleek my action to the n'th degree for the final day. Didn't matter. Slow last day.<br /><br />Tallies:<br />2 sit and plays<br />0 quiet room plays<br />5 Fretboard journal subscription cards<br />OK day, fairly quiet last day but I really connected with some builders and really got inspired to get back to my shop and my work. Felt really good after evaluating the high $ drawing builders work and not like it at all. I just have to put in my time and be fair with my process because there is no timeline, as long as I keep building, I've won.<br /><br />All in all I'm really glad I went, sales or not, I was lucky to be able to show. The show was done really well. The builders that were there were great and inspiring. I'm stoked to start my next builds and I have a strategy for the wow factor for the next show and I'm not going to pack my table. 4 guitars in a 2 X 4 space just looked cluttered. 3 max on a 2 X 4, and 5 on a 2 X 8 is all I'll do from now on. I'm excited to keep being the guy who shows at these shows and who's instruments just keep getting better and better. I'll still pick myself apart, to the n'th degree I'm sure, but man someday I'll lock into a player that digs those finite details like I do.<br /><br />I'm currently prepping to teach an acoustic guitar building class that starts mid September at a local Woodcraft, should be fun and it's filling fast. Crazy!! I need to clean my shop and rework the finish on a couple of these guitars. Finish the 3 that got left behind and start the new guitars just because I can. All set. Go!!!Todd, TLGuitarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00925420299462108101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784084116185762570.post-29994826291860146852009-08-03T10:48:00.000-07:002009-08-03T10:55:31.405-07:00Hollowbody MH<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/HBProto/hd21.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/HBProto/hd21.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/HBProto/hd16.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/HBProto/hd16.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/HBProto/hd19.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/HBProto/hd19.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/HBProto/hd12.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/HBProto/hd12.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/HBProto/hd11.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/HBProto/hd11.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I've been working on this crazy Hollowbody and I don't think it's going to make it to the show in CA although I may take it in the White. Too Much to do in too little time, we'll see. The design is waaay over the top but is proving worth it as it's all my design. Finally decided on a name, MH (2 people I dig), it used to be HD (Hollowbody design) but that's too close to my old Martin HD28. So that's the name. Here's some pics.Todd, TLGuitarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00925420299462108101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784084116185762570.post-91232974741221960532009-08-03T10:36:00.000-07:002009-08-03T10:48:55.942-07:00Nearly there!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/healdsburg2009/t9.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/healdsburg2009/t9.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/healdsburg2009/t10.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/healdsburg2009/t10.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/healdsburg2009/hbnecks.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/guitars/healdsburg2009/hbnecks.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Gettting ready for the show in CA in a week and I've been wet sanding for the last 2 days. Things are going well but I've got some ideas on what I can do differently on the next batch. New Jigs and spraying holders. The guitars are going well and look as good as I can get them.Todd, TLGuitarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00925420299462108101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784084116185762570.post-63348121220919124962009-06-16T11:57:00.000-07:002009-06-16T15:24:02.755-07:00ASIA ConventionJust got back from the <a href="http://www.guitarmaker.org/">ASIA Guitarmaker</a> convention in PA. It was great! Toured the <a href="http://www.martinguitar.com/">Martin Guitar Factory</a> on the 1st day and got the V.I.P. Tour that included getting onto the production floor in the milling room and into the acclimating room where everything is stored including the locked case (wall) of Brazilian Rosewood.<br /><br />Sat in on a number of great forums, presentations, and most imporantly meals with builders that have inspired me for years. It was weird and surreal, but at the same time completely educational and honest. Cool all around. <a href="http://www.manzer.com/guitars/">Linda Manzer</a> was great to talk with and helping her carry her purchases to her car helped me keep in shape while I was there. I was embarrassed to approach her to begin with (who wouldn't be, she's <a href="http://www.manzer.com/guitars/">LINDA MANZER</a> "the queen" as some call her) but as the days past I found myself on even(ish) ground. Crazy!!<br /><br /><a href="http://kenparkerarchtops.com/">Ken Parker</a> walked me out of his presentation and asked if I had, "any questions?" I couldn't say anything as I was so blown away I couldn't open my mouth. I didn't want to sound dumb. This was the second time I've met him and while he said, "I can only process 2-3 new faces a day," (referring to our 1st meeting) I'm hoping this time I worked myself in.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.galloupguitars.com/">Bryan Galloup</a>s' presentation on Tonewood was killer and put a real perspective on the material I've been working with, there's so much to account for but with his help I think I've got a better grasp on how to get closer to where I want to be. We also shared the plane ride home where I got another 2 hour conversation that still has me thinking and excited to build.<br /><a href="http://www.williamlaskin.com/"><br />Grit Laskin</a> signed a second book for me and gave a lecture on how he does his bevels and inlay. So much simpler then what I've been doing, and man how smart and gracious he is. It was great to see his interaction amongst his peers and friends. He's a great builder, a great innovator and the quintessential builder to model my own individual build and customer focused perspective around.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.borgesguitars.com/">Julius Borges</a> was so honest with me it took a while to acclimate to. Whether were talking about the history of his original 2 <a href="http://www.newportguitarfestivalmiamibeach.com/">Newport Guitar Festivals</a>, his own build techniques, or his honest opinions on the state of guitar making/ customer relations/ or life in general, it was humbling to feel like I was a friend and not just the newly found tag along.<br /><br />All of these builders made the week for me, now it's time to get back to work and show them that I was listening. How cool is that?Todd, TLGuitarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00925420299462108101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784084116185762570.post-66028488751722251532009-06-01T14:13:00.000-07:002009-06-01T14:36:47.569-07:00New guitars and new work.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/blog/lf27.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/blog/lf27.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/blog/lf29.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/blog/lf29.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I've been pushing to get more done as the shows are comming quickly. It doesn't look like I'll have anything ready for the ASIA show in a week but the Healdsburg guitars are going perfectly. Here's a couple of pics of things in process.Todd, TLGuitarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00925420299462108101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784084116185762570.post-29587452568219974202009-05-06T14:02:00.000-07:002009-05-06T14:13:56.958-07:00New Website.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/blog/R3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/blog/R3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/blog/d38.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/blog/d38.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/blog/E2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/blog/E2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/blog/CR5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd354/tlguitars/blog/CR5.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />As I've been getting ready for the shows this summer I've been getting a new website build as well. This has been great as the old site needed some serious upgrades and it also gave me a reason to take some new guitar pics. I thought I'd share a few here as well.Todd, TLGuitarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00925420299462108101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784084116185762570.post-29355188400076185512009-05-04T19:20:00.000-07:002009-05-06T12:44:56.605-07:00New Guitars for A.S.I.A. and HealdsburgI'm excited to be attending both Healdsburg in August and the ASIA Symposium in June. Now the trick is to finish some new guitars that are in the works. Currently I'm working on a hybrid double top Model R that's going to be as fun as it is challenging. I also hope to knock out my new Model HD (Hollowbody) in the coming weeks.<br /><br />Here's some new completed pics to give some color to this new blog.Todd, TLGuitarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00925420299462108101noreply@blogger.com0