Lunch report Tuesday Oct 5 2010

[darwinohm]

Thanks to all of you for your pictures yesterday of fine woods, both bodies and necks, and to those who contributed and have players. I tend to use players for gigging as i do not want the lookers damaged. Ginny and I use them as wall art so forgive me.

Lunch turned out different yesterday as I ran into some friends and we did the Chinese Buffet. I kept it light and my lunch today will be what I planned yesterday. Yesterday was also my semi annual Doc visit so results may determine future lunches. I have already made the transition from "real" beer to light beer. Some I have had recently is 55 calories, almost no carbs and you can't even get a buzz on it.

G&L Content.
My Classic S has a very beautiful wood grain also. This is the one that may get a Bigsby. It is a great guitar and the three pickups certainly give it a tonal range. It is chambered and quite light so it will handle a Bigsby without becoming too heavy. I stopped at American Guitar And Band last Friday and saw a 30 Th Anniversary Legacy. It is a very striking guitar. They also had a Special Build Mahogany Bluesboy with the elbow cut on the front. It is just like the one I have. I didn't check the serial number but are they building them at different intervals? I am unsure what my next G&L would be but it could be a ASAT Special with a DF vibrato. Do some of you have one of these, and If so , how do you like it? Does any one have a 30 Th Anniversary G&L yet?

Here is my Classic S.



Other Content:

Here is my Tele Plus which is like the classic S. This one has a cap body and is in pristine condition.


I spent an evening last week oiling all the Rosewood Fretboards. I try to do this four times a year and I believe it makes them a bit more stable. I have been checking neck relief on most of the guitars and at this point I am convinced that the maple fretboards are more stable. They rarely require adjustment. We have discussed this before but I believe that this is true because the Maple Fretboards are sealed with a finish. Rosewood is quite porous. The Maple Neck Composite Fretboard on the Parker seems to be very stable. Any believers out there?

I am leaving with a couple more pictures today, One of a Birds Eye neck on my MM John Petrucci. This is a fine guitar with a fast neck. It feels similar to the PRS neck but perhaps a bit thinner.

and the wood on my PRS Johnny Hiland. Someone mentioned that PRS has the best looking tops, but it is a cap. This one has a 10 top. The G&L Swamp Ash bodies are beautiful all the way through. The F-100 I showed yesterday is a cap top.


Thanks for hanging in with us. Magic and Sam thank you for observing them at work in the F-100 case yesterday. They have been watching to make sure everything in this report in OK. Tomorrow is Lowender Day so those of you who fessed up yesterday to being a Bass player also, lets hear about it tomorrow. Have a great day!!! --- Darwin

[Sprinter 92]

I have already made the transition from "real" beer to light beer.

Does Grain Belt offer a light beer?

G&L Content.
I am unsure what my next G&L would be but it could be a ASAT Special with a DF vibrato. Do some of you have one of these, and If so , how do you like it? Does any one have a 30 Th Anniversary G&L yet?

I haven't owned an Asat Special with a tremolo but I have played a few. I liked them and may buy one someday. I did have an Asat Z-3 with a tremolo and it was a fun guitar. I don't have any plans to purchase a 30th Anniversary model.




Other Content:

I spent an evening last week oiling all the Rosewood Fretboards. I try to do this four times a year and I believe it makes them a bit more stable. I have been checking neck relief on most of the guitars and at this point I am convinced that the maple fretboards are more stable. They rarely require adjustment. We have discussed this before but I believe that this is true because the Maple Fretboards are sealed with a finish. Rosewood is quite porous.

I oil my rosewood and ebony fretboard equipped necks several times a year also. I agree that it seems to make them more stable.



You have some nice looking guitars and cats. Thank you, for sharing the pictures with us!


Sprinter 92

[Madcity Fats]

I think there's something to the notion that maple boards are a bit more stable, and it stands to reason that the fact they're completely sealed would have something to do with that. I live in WI where the weather goes from bone dry in the winter to gawd-awful humid in the summer and the rosewood boards seem most susceptible to that swing. Ebony less so, though that wood is more prone to cracking, so I try to stay on top of oiling them both.

Probably overdue for some of that. Like to hit 'em up before the furnace kicks on and starts sucking all the humidity out of the air.

[sirmyghin]

Light Beer Eh? I have a good diet, so enjoy all the tasty beers instead. Seems like an odd switch to make, I am sure there are much more positive changes available otherwise.

I have not seen a 30th anniversary yet, infact I may have ordered one if I had. I liked the concept, but have not seen a single picture of one aside from G&L's tiny, unclear photos that gave me no idea of what the finished look like, it just looked flat. So I went with my original order plan.

I think that neck stability based on fretboard wood is irrelevant. Finish is a greater factor. However I have completely open tung oil necks that are more stable than glossed counterparts. It all goes back to seasoning I find.

Seeing as you have a kick for nice wood, I guess I will chime in today, even though it is not w/ G&Ls. I dare you folks to have better flame tops than these 2. I think the C66 takes your '10 top' and the LB, well , lets just call it a 14 top? I have never seen a nicer flame top than my LB has on it.
Front

Back (walut)

Front

Back ( hog)

[Thumbs]

Just lurkin'. Nice guitars! Thanks for the lunch reports. I just had to post a pic of a G&L top that is right up there with some of the ones shown today, IMO. My pic doesn't do this guitar justice. The instruments coming out of G&L these days are among the best ever produced IMO. Steve Grom, as Director of Mfg. has raised the bar in the past 2 years with Darth's support. I used to be a 3 bolt only guy. The neck on the S-500 is like the vintage necks of the past, which were my fav; except for the low flat vintage frets. Now my 2 favs guitars are recent builds from G&L, this one and one butterscotch ASAT Special with forearm and belly contours, birds eye maple neck.

My Blue quilt top S-500 w/ binding and aluminum pg.

[repoman]

Light beer? I do drink some light beer in the summer but that is mainly due to wanting a lighter,
easier drinking beer in the hot weather. I can tolerate the Sam Adams Light and Amstel Light. But if
you're switching to light beer to save calories you'll probably get a bigger payback in other areas.
Heck, a handful of potato chips probably has twice the calories of a couple good beers.
(and the chips have a lot of other bad stuff)

I only have rosewood boards in my meager collection but that’s got me wondering.
Do you see any differences with the older veneer style rosewood boards vs the newer slab style?
I only oil mine a couple of times a year. Perhaps I should do it more.

Jeff

[darwinohm]

Sprinter posted:

Does Grain Belt offer a light beer?

And a good one it is. The regular Grain Belt Premium is excellent also.

Madcity Fats posted:

I think there's something to the notion that maple boards are a bit more stable, and it stands to reason that the fact they're completely sealed would have something to do with that

Yes , we completely agree on that. Besides, the frequent oiling makes them beautiful!

Sirmyghin posted:

Light Beer Eh? I have a good diet, so enjoy all the tasty beers instead. Seems like an odd switch to make, I am sure there are much more positive changes available otherwise.

I love beer and age is also a factor. We become more fragile as we age. I have recently discovered that I am no longer bullet proof!! The pictures od the fronts of your guitars did not come through. I had the same problem with my LR pictures yesterday and I had to reload them to the host(Imageshack). By the way the 30 Th Aniv. has a White Pearl finish which is a class act.

Thumbs, that is a beautiful Blue top, one of the finest and the neck on the butterscotch is to kill for!! Also a very nice pickguard.

Repoman posted:

But if
you're switching to light beer to save calories you'll probably get a bigger payback in other areas.

and

Do you see any differences with the older veneer style rosewood boards vs the newer slab style?

But, isn't beer more fun??????
I didn't know that they made a veneer rosewood board. That is an interesting question. Someone had also the tung oil treatment bu that would also seal the wood

Thanks all for your input so far today and a fine day here in Minnesota it is. -- Darwin

[sirmyghin]

I love beer and age is also a factor. We become more fragile as we age. I have recently discovered that I am no longer bullet proof!! The pictures od the fronts of your guitars did not come through. I had the same problem with my LR pictures yesterday and I had to reload them to the host(Imageshack). By the way the 30 Th Aniv. has a White Pearl finish which is a class act.
n: -- Darwin

I think something is up with your end here, I scaled down the size a bit but the fronts are on image shack. You can see the backs on photobucket though? They show up fine when I open this page. Here are 2 quick and dirty links if you are curious (and as a wood lover you very well should be ).

Bass Front
http://yfrog.com/jcdscf2049hj

Guitar Front
http://yfrog.com/08dscf2044jwj

[darwinohm]

Sirmyghin, now I see them with the link you supplied. They are absolutely stunning. All the guitars that have been posted are really fine examples of art! Thanks-- Darwin

[sirmyghin]

Sirmyghin, now I see them with the link you supplied. They are absolutely stunning. All the guitars that have been posted are really fine examples of art! Thanks-- Darwin

We are indeed seeing some good ones. I really love trans black finished, and your flame trans black is about the darkest I have ever seen (usually they don't photo well either) Has good dynamics. I realize earlier I might have come across a little harsh comparing to your top, but it is seriously nice. It was more as to what passes as a 10 top recently has dropped highly in perspective compared to the days of 'old'. I am a lucky man to have gotten so lucky not once but twice. ((Although now I don't really buy figured maple, as I see it as self defeating to get more)).

For a quilt that blue one is pretty sweet. I am a flame guy though something about quilt tops I would never buy myself.

[suave eddie]

The only guitar I have with a rosewood board is my 18 year old Guild D55 acoustic. It sits in it's case most of the time unfortunately but I doubt the fingerboard has ever been oiled. I bought it used 5 years ago and it looks brand new--the only signs of age are the tuning keys are losing the gold plating--this guitar was either extremely well cared for or never played.

I know this subject has been discussed before, but what kind of oil do you use? I have never oiled my fingerboards and I should probably treat this one, as it is a really fine instrument and I would hate for it to develop problems that are easily avoidable.

Thanks.

[Kodor]

porn!
Me 2007 Custom ordered Legacy...I still can't believe they shipped it 3 weeks after I ordered it.



My PRS will be 10 years old in a few days...


Oh...and I like beer!

[zombywoof]

I know this subject has been discussed before, but what kind of oil do you use? I have never oiled my fingerboards and I should probably treat this one, as it is a really fine instrument and I would hate for it to develop problems that are easily avoidable.
Thanks.

The best stuff I have run across is called Fret Doctor.

The biggest thing in beer around here is wheat beer brewed up by the local micro-brewery.

Right now I am down to all rosewood board and one ebony stained maple board. I agree with an above post thoug that I do not think what wood the board is made of has anything to due with neck stability. Still ain't got no fancy wood geetars to show ya'll.

[darwinohm]

Suave Eddie, I use Formby's Lemon Oil. I think that any furniture oil would work fine. Yes, there has been a lot of discussion but the bottom line is that most manufactures recommend oiling and here in Minnesota the winter is very dry. The necks usually shorten a bit in the winter. A small trussrod adjustment takes care of it but I believe that oiling minimizes the change. My daughter has an American Breedlove acoustic and it requires truss rod adjustments at least twice a year so it depends on the guitar. I like about 4 to 5 thousands relief on the necks for low playing action so that makes it more sensitive to adjustments. By the way, Gabe from this board has posted setup instructions in the past and I think his procedure is excellent. It doesn't work if the frets are not level but on a good neck it really makes the action sweet.-- Darwin

[darwinohm]

Chris, not only are your guitars sweet but I wish I had your picture taking skills. You always have interesting backgrounds to enhance the guitar. As I said earlier today there is a lot of art in these guitar postings.-- Darwin

[Boogie Bill]

I have not been so bad in my life that I have to drink light beer. I only have about one beer a week anyway, so why not get somethig good. Last night it was a Negra Modelo draft to go with my carne asada steak, and I loved every drop of it!

I use a couple of different products to oil fingerboards. Gerlitz Guitar Honey is good; and I also use the Dunlop 65 Fingerboard Cleaner and Fingerboard Conditioner products. My all-time favorite was the Tres Amigos Lemon Oil. It's from back in the 1980s, no longer available. I have about a tablespoon left. I still have some of their Carnauba Wax, and it is the best I've ever used.

If you like wood, this one is hard to beat.





This is a 4-bolt, birdseye maple ASAT Deluxe from around 2000, I guess. Supposedly, it was a promo guitar supplied to Art Alexakis of the band Everclear. Duncan '59 and TB-4 pickups and Schaller locking tuners and a grahpite nut; and that funny little metal stick you see is attached to the DF Vibrato. Rare guitar. The back is finished in deep red mahogany. The fingerboard is rosewood, and very red. I guarantee you the picture does not do the guitar justice; the depth of the flame makes for one of the most 3-D tops I have EVER seen (and I have several flametop Les Pauls.)

Send me a boatload of money, and you can have it. I love the guitar, but i just don't play it any more, preferring my Les Pauls for 2HB tones.

Bill

[sirmyghin]

Neat axe Bill. Black burst on the edge of figured wood though, cardinal sin covering the stuff up Every guitar looks better in person though.

[willross]

I don't know how often my boards are oiled; rarely done by me. They look nice afterwords! From my pics online, this is the top that gets the most attention:




Cheers,

Will

[sam]

Darwin,

Again, great pics. Tell us more about your Hog BBoy. I remember first seeing first at BBrothers and didn't snag it at the time. As far as ASAT's with DF vibrrato I want Boogie Bills ASAT Deluxe with the wiggle stick, both a beauty and a rocker.

Does yer Classic S have an expander? I know, I'm being lazy and not looking up specs in the knowledge base but easier to go to the source.

Only having a couple of rosewood boards I am delinquent in board care. Have heard everything from lemon oil to surf board wax so the choices have kept me from proper care. Any suggestions?

[suave eddie]

Thanks for all the replies re: fret board oils. After doing some reading, it looks like I will give Fret Doctor a try. Neither of the websites for both Guitar Center and Musicians Friend list this product. I'll have to give my local Long & McQuade a call tomorrow, although their website also does not mention it. Is this stuff hard to get?

[darwinohm]

Boogie Bill, that ASAT with the DF is a beauty. That is probably what I would like to have as a next guitar. Maybe we need a beauty contest on this board as there has been some gems this week!

Will, that LP has the most beautiful grain going up and down and the flaming 90 degrees to the grain. Definitely a prize!

Sam wrote:

Tell us more about your Hog BBoy.

Sam, I have purchased several G&L limited production models and didn't know what I had ended up with until I did more research after buying them. It surprises me than many people do not know much about their G&L's. The Hog BB is one of them. It was in pristine condition when I bought and after I get home I discover it is a special build BB form the original group of I believe 27 or so. It has the forearm cut, was made with a CNC and has a matching headstock. It is a sweet guitar although I do not gig with it. It will remain wall art. I ended up with the Classic S that I showed yesterday, the same way only to discover what I had after bringing it home. It certainly pays to do research on the G&Ls as there some gems that many are not aware of. Needless to say the price has always been right. --- Darwin