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In the Workshop

The process of guitar building is made up of so many other processes it is impossible to get bored. There is always something you can think about more and refine more. From processing logs into soundboards to designing inlays and engravings, no day is the same as another.

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Outside arching complete on these three F5 plate s

Outside arching complete on these three F5 plate sets.
Next week I will hollow out the backs. #F5 #mandolin #luthier #bighollowguitars

#mandolin neckblocks It pays to have a steady hand

#mandolin neckblocks
It pays to have a steady hand on the bandsaw as all the cleanup is inside that curve. #luthier #somethingdifferent #f5 #bighollowguitars and mandolins!

12/4 #spanishcedar for the necks of the next 80 gu

12/4 #spanishcedar for the necks of the next 80 guitars or so. Forklift dropped it right in the van. I couldn’t have done this with my ‘74 bus or my ‘84 westfalia. 2000 Eurovan for the win! Temp gauge was standing still all the way up the hill!
#luthier #bighollowguitars #craft

I’ve been on a long journey for this last year a

I’ve been on a long journey for this last year and it looks like another rough patch ahead. I’m thankful for being strong enough to ski up and down the mountain, and for my customers who bring me things like this 1945 OOO-28.
Also for @frostalekas who is the best. #lymphoma #ptld #vintageguitars #martinguitars #bighollowguitars

Grateful to be able to follow these two down a tra

Grateful to be able to follow these two down a trail again. Merry Christmas!

Feeling grateful for the run of interesting guitar

Feeling grateful for the run of interesting guitars that have come through lately. Here is another kaycraft, but this one needs more work. Binding replacement, bridge replacement, pickguard replacement, etc.
#vintageguitarrepair #guitarrepair #lutherie #bighollowguitars

Productive day! I glued a severely cracked side on

Productive day!
I glued a severely cracked side on this d-28
And cleaned and tidied up.
#cleanbench #bighollowguitars

This OOO-28 is from 1945, and it came in with 3 ba

This OOO-28 is from 1945, and it came in with 3 back cracks. The owner wants them glued closed but not cleated. I’ve been super humidifying it to get the biggest one to close. I’ve still got a ways to go.
#martinguitar #vintageguitar #guitarepair #bighollowguitars

1935 Martin F-9 Archtop

1935 Martin F-9 Archtop

Full summer in the rabbit ears range is still a li

Full summer in the rabbit ears range is still a little chilly at the edges. First camping trip this summer!
#fj80 #backroads

Making the most of summer! Climbing in Montezuma,

Making the most of summer! Climbing in Montezuma, glissading at 13,000’, and a bit of spicyness on the descent.

Morning jaunt with Sam in the Landcruiser. I’ve

Morning jaunt with Sam in the Landcruiser. I’ve spent the last three summers (and some of the winters 🥶) fixing this vehicle up and it finally runs smooth and reliable. So fun to take it up to 13k’ and look around. The snow isn’t quite melted on the alpine yet, so we had to walk the rest of the way up Sante Fe peak. Felt pretty good considering I’m halfway through chemo for transplant induced lymphoma….
#lowgear is the best gear #FJ80 #3fe #toyota #landcruiser #fuckcancer

This is MY new guitar the first one for me in a de

This is MY new guitar the first one for me in a decade. About damn time

Buscadero model
specs:
OM size
Top - Colorado Engelman Spruce harvested at Copper Mountain for a new ski run

Back and sides - Oregon Walnut

25.7” scale length
13 fret neck
Advanced scalloped x bracing
Hide glue
Buttonlac
Macassar ebony fretboard, bridge, binding, and headplate
Rickard Banjo tuners
Bird’s beak neck joint
Curly Spanish Cedar neck
Gold evo fret wire

Look at that pickguard! What a great swirl.
This one is designed to hang together a little tighter and sing out a little brighter
A counterpoint to my own mahogany OO that is sweet but muddy and too loose to really turn it up. This is designed and built to deliver sizzling licks that ride on top of a band and can still be heard
#bighollowguitars #craft #coloradoguitar #luthierschoice #homeharvested #customguitar

Some classic momming going on here. The journey of

Some classic momming going on here. The journey of family with you has been the best adventure @frostalekas love dad

Progress is progress. Just a day or two away from

Progress is progress. Just a day or two away from final setup. #bighollowguitars #newvintage #buttonlac #hideglue #coloradoenglemannspruce #made #craft #bespoke

#buttonlac has a amber glow to it that is pretty i

#buttonlac has a amber glow to it that is pretty intoxicating. Getting the hang of French polishing too. Between this ancient finish and hide glue construction, these guitars are sporting some pretty tRADitional flair. #luthier #customguitar #made #craft #bighollowguitars

Working on a new headstock joint - the solid peg h

Working on a new headstock joint - the solid peg head with bird’s beak joint. Pretty excited with how it is turning out- I can’t wait to get the Rickard banjo tuners on this headstock, it’s going to have some serious vintage vibes #bighollowguitars #customguitar #luthier #oldschool #made #craft #handcrafted

Mike Jones with his super rare #56 #goldtop and go

Mike Jones with his super rare #56 #goldtop and gold everything else!
Going to be getting a new nut. #gibson #vintage #customorder #bighollowguitars

Well we have reached the magic time where we can a

Well we have reached the magic time where we can all ski together and have fun. #coppermtn #getoutside @frostalekas

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