Man Caves (or women's dens): do you have one and what do you get up to in it?

My God, that is some proper sexy guitar work there GA. Bit of a man crush starting here…

My God, that is some proper sexy guitar work there GA. Bit of a man crush starting here…

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I understand Cherts - My wood has that effect on men and women. Good to see some fellow posters enjoying a decent guitar affliction… (more to follow)

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Just for Cherts - sorry, showing off a bit… the ladies locked in my cellar … Spot who was an Indie popster from around 88-93 :wink:

Left to Right: Handmade by me Macassar Ebony German Spruce Acoustic (My first ever build), 1995 Martin HD28V, 2005 Rickenbacker 660/12 Amber FireGlo, 1988 Rickenbacker 370/12 WB FireGlo, 1982 Fender Strat (my first decent electric- now upgraded with BareKnuckle hand wound pic ups aged to match the beaten up nature of this old warhorse); 2007 Rickenbacker 660/6 JetGlo; Blackstar Artisan 15 Valve Amp…

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Two projects on the go right now:

  1. PRS style Electric with quilted maple Top - but through neck of flamed maple

The other is a longer term new Acoustic - Malaysian Blackwood with an Old Sitka Spruce top…

…with old style forward shifted X Bracing

If anyone is interested in following as these progress (very slowly), let me know as am v happy to bore folks senseless with my tales of wood and glue

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Very very interested in this, not because I could do this or even want to but the amount of skill involved in this is very very high, good work.

Good stuff GA. Please keep updated!

To be honest, most folk can do this - just need certain tools and patience :wink: Building a guitar is straightforward, building a good guitar takes experience…building a great one takes probaly 20 years + of building full time… I have only built 5 so long way to go for me.

BIg companies can now build excellent consistent instruments using CNC technology - will be really good pro tools… but the custom builder can personalize everything, from wood choice, colours to dimensions and radius of fingerboard…

To me though the making of something is very relaxing, the same with gardening, I love gardening always have which has always resulted in massive piss takes but I don’t give a shite.

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Keep us updated, Gay! Love the work in progress images…

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No worries, will post updates on the thread now and again… but be warned progress is slow. The acoustic is an interesting project as never worked with Malaysian blackwood before. It’s an ebony species, but lighter and richer in reddish brown tones, but apparently has a tonal quality of rosewoods etc.

I have worked with Macassar ebony which is heavier but made for a geat acoustic tone, so am hopeful this one will sound great.

The Acoustic may well be for sale when completed - tend to sell at ‘cost’ right now to get instruments out there and very difficult to sell at what they are really worth when you have no ‘name’. The materials,woods, glues,papers, finishing and hardware would be around £1100 - which shows the difference in quality of woods used v big firms. Labour? 200 hours… work it out :lou_surprised:

It’s why instruments built by serious pros with a good reputation to this wood spec would be around £6000-£7000

I would probably eventually let it go for about £1500 - serious money, but worth about twice that… (Pap not touting wares or anything, just given as information…as to why these things do cost so much.) Folks (who dont really have a clue) often question why a decent guitar might cost £2500 + … yet a pro level cello or violin for orchestra players (not soloists) will be at least £15000-£30000…Guitarists get off lightly unless going for ridiculously priced vintage instruments…or some the US pro builders.

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This is way too high brow for a forum!

People talking about their love of wood and demonstrating professional skills that help them relax…what happened to all the abuse and blind hatred that drives other forums?

You’ve all gone soft and bland.

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Raleighboy… see even that is an upgrade both in Sir Water and the bike terms…We are the kings of bland dude, if only to provide amusement for the elite - those of large ego and small penis, that need the nourishment of feeling superior, yet struggle with intellect… Guitars are where it’s at my friend.

If I build it, they will strum

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Think this thread needs a whole different title now. Take a bow GA!

Thanks but nah… would be bad for controlling my rampant ego. I am just glad to make a tiny contribution to those enlightened souls who plug a bit of wood and strings into a good old amp and make the grunt bottles glow and sing and annoy parents all over again… :lou_lol:

Sad to say I have no man cave. However, following on from Gay’s original post, I have an old friend who lives in Germany and makes guitars for a living. Fucking beautiful they are too - just wish I could afford one!

Have a look here.

Pure guitar porn.

Originally posted by @Fowllyd

Sad to say I have no man cave. However, following on from Gay’s original post, I have an old friend who lives in Germany and makes guitars for a living. Fucking beautiful they are too - just wish I could afford one!

Have a look here.

Nice :lou_smiley:

I am genuinely astonished. GA, take a bow. Amazing.

Some people could do with a relaxing hobby like this.

If you are highly strung, there is no need to fret, just wind your neck in.

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Why the fuck do you think its perfect for me? :lou_lol: