A blog about cancer, spirituality, death, and guitars
I don’t think I ever thought I was amazing at anything. I’ve always looked upon myself as a jack of many things but a master of none. Continue reading “The DUNNING-KRUGER effect”
I’ve approached this subject in 4 separate posts. It’s necessary to read this Introduction post, Part 1, first or the other posts (Parts 2, 3 and 4) may not make much sense.
While I am merely a hobbyist when it comes to working with wood, it is something I have done my whole life. I don’t have a lot of specialized tools, but I do like precision, so I try to work out methods of doing things that work for me.
Cutting the ‘valleys’ accurately into the guitar bridge blank goes a long way in determining how well a finished bridge will look. I’ve made probably 30-40 guitar bridges, and when I first started I was not comfortable using a drill or a small sanding drum to make these valleys. I didn’t give me enough control.
So, I made a simple jig to sand the valleys by hand, as will be explained a bit further on in this Post. I’m sure there are many other ways to make these pyramid bridges, so take from these posts what you will. I hope someone finds it useful.
There are many styles of pyramid bridges, and it makes sense to individually craft them for a particular guitar.
But first, some general information about the tools needed and a simple homemade jig I made and use:
Continue reading “HOW TO MAKE PYRAMID GUITAR BRIDGES- Part 1.”
I’ve approached this subject in 4 separate posts. It’s necessary to read the Introduction Post, Part 1, first or the other posts (Parts 2, 3 and 4) may not make much sense.
I believe this style came into use about 1910 but I am open for correction. I really like this style of pyramid bridge. It was used by many manufacturers including Oscar Schmidt. By the 1930’s most manufacturers had phased out using this style (most likely to save on costs) replacing it with a simpler made bridge.
I’m starting with this style pyramid bridge because it’s probably what most people think of as a pyramid bridge.
Continue reading “HOW TO MAKE PYRAMID GUITAR BRIDGES- Part 2.”
I’ve approached this subject in 4 separate posts. It’s necessary to first read the Introduction post, Part 1, or the other posts (Parts 2, 3 and 4) may not make much sense.
Truncated just means ‘shortened’- by cutting off the top of the pyramid in this case. It’s also called a ‘Chicago’ style bridge because it is the bridge Lyon & Healy (one of the first guitar manufacturers based in Chicago in about 1880’s) first put on their early Washburn guitars. Used by many manufacturers including Martin, Weymann, Regal, and Harmony up until about 1930.
Continue reading “HOW TO MAKE PYRAMID GUITAR BRIDGES- Part 3.”
I’ve approached this subject in 4 separate posts. It’s necessary to first read the Introduction post, Part 1, or the other posts (Parts 2, 3 and 4) may not make much sense.
A pyramid bridge from the 19th Century is characterized by the elongated pyramids on the ends. Used on 1800’s Martin and Bay State guitars plus others.
Keep in mind that pyramid bridges can look very different from maker to maker. You can also buy a ready-made pyramid bridge online from Stewmac.com and others, but I like to tailor-make them. There are other sites online showing how they make a pyramid bridge, but once I’ve made the jig to cut the valleys, the bridge is relatively easy and quick to make, and the results are accurate. Because they are all hand made with minimal electric tools, it gives me more control and I have very few rejects.
This 19th Century style pyramid bridge I am making here will be a stylized version of the 19th century pyramid bridge for a beautiful c.1890’s Bay State Grand Concert guitar I have.
Continue reading “HOW TO MAKE PYRAMID GUITAR BRIDGES- Part 4.”
From the age of about 25 I have always had an organic veggie garden no matter where I lived. Which was no small feat since I moved around a lot when I was younger. The problem was I would just get it productive and I’d end up moving. But these last 20 years we have stayed in the one place, paying off our house on an acre and a half block.
With the help of my sons and son-in-law we have managed to landscape and build a pizza oven and elevated garden beds.
I’ve mentioned before how in this world of matter, everything changes. Everything in this world that has a beginning has an end. I’m amazed how much a garden changes every day. For the moment our garden is pumping and I’d just like to share some of todays photos with you.
The fact is we are all aliens in this world. We come from a place not of this world, a place where there is no time, a place that does not change.
In this world everything changes. Time gradually changes everything. Everything has a use-by-date. Even a rock becomes sand eventually, then that sand becomes dust, and that dust becomes minerals and chemicals that are absorbed by grubs and worms or by plants, which are then eaten by different animals.
Continue reading “THE ALIENS ARE HERE – coming from another world!”
First of all, we live inside this body. We are NOT our bodies. Each of us is a spirit soul residing in a body. Next, we surround ourselves with family and friends; generally, we limit ourselves to just a few people.
Then we surround ourselves with what we believe are our possessions, our house, our car, our things. But, of course, since at the time of death we cannot take them with us, these are not really ours at all.
Continue reading “UNCONDITIONAL FRIENDSHIP & KINDNESS – A true story”
A reader, Tom Giachero, registered this guitar on my WEYMANN INSTRUMENT REGISTER and graciously provided photos for this post. It is only one of two Weymann 12 String guitars known to exist. The other one is owned by British 12 string guitarist, Paul Brett (YouTube link to that guitar further into this post).
There’s a bit of work needed to bring this guitar to prime playing condition, which Tom plans to do over time. Some more photos (click on first image and scroll through):
Continue reading “A WEYMANN 12 STRING GUITAR – Extremely Rare!”
James Charles Rodgers (September 8, 1897 – May 26, 1933) was an American country, blues and folk singer, songwriter and musician in the early 20th century, and became known known as “The Father of Country Music”.
He was a huge star in his day and most likely influenced more artists than any other singer, including Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan.
Continue reading “The WEYMANN “JIMMIE RODGERS” Special Model 890″