Dave1climber - Posted - 04/20/2013:  19:06:53

Dan

Thanks for the information

I wondered if that might be the case, the body looks like the automotive OBD reader that I have from Harbor Freight.

Pine Cone - Posted - 04/20/2013:  21:45:15

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Originally posted by DanKnowles

Boy did it dawn chilly this morning! It's Dogwood Winter her in Tennessee. Tonight we might have some frost again. There go all the tomato plants that some folks put out too early.

Still the Dogwood trees are in bloom. The four white or pink petals of each flower are a blast of spring color here in Paris!

When I lived on the Georgetown Divide (between Sacramento, CA and Lake Tahoe) the local wisdom was that winter wasn't over until the snow fell on the dogwood blossoms.  I lived there for about 10 years and they were right!

No tomato plantings until after dogwood blossoms were done.

Where I live now in western Washington, it seems like the time to plant tomatoes is after the Big-Leaf Maples leaf out.  This year that is likely to happen sometime in the next week or two.

Edited by - Pine Cone on 04/20/2013 21:52:03

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/21/2013:  06:08:06

Ellen & Dave,

I get several things at Harbor Freight but I have found that I need to be careful. Some things are of reasonable quality (none high) and some are junk. I buy 6"X48" sanding belts from them and perhaps 1 in 10 is so badly cut that it is not usable. But the price is low enough that I come out ahead. I have also bought many adjustable screw clamps that are just great and the price is even better.

I suspect that if I had bought that inspection camera elsewhere the resolution might be greater, but with this one I can pear around quite nicely. Some of looking through this thing is really just a matter of learning how to look. It serves me much better than my old light and mirror.  

Scott,

That is near the same wisdom spoken here, except it is with the Silver Maples or perhaps the Dogwoods or ....

To Everyone,

Yesterday I worked most of the day on a rent house that I am selling and I forgot to bring my camera... so no photos... sorry.

Ah ...anybody want to buy a house?

Edited by - Dan Knowles on 04/21/2013 06:10:56

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/23/2013:  07:35:07

TUESDAY THE 23RD. OF APRIL

MY, MY HOW TIME DOES FLY

It seams like only yesterday that I posted and yet it has been several days. Busy, busy like an ant or a bee depending on ones point of view... We have had a wedding, a birthday and a hanging to attend plus teaching, regular Luthing and getting ready for the next seven days on the river...oh my. Any how, to catch up the next photos will be from Saturday - Monday, but the commentary is from today.

Oh yes, you wonder, who got hung? Nobody I just tossed that in to see if you were paying attention.

From Saturday...

I started this day off sharpening all of my chisels. About once a week I do this whether they need it or not. If kept sharp regularly it requires less work to keep them in shape for use. This is my basic sharpening rig. The base is a piece of cast off marble (from a local stone countertop maker). The disks are 3M sanding disks made for the automotive refinishing industry. I usually only use the ultra fine one.

Next I strop them using a piece of belt leather glued to a wooden bloc and loaded with white rouge.

Sharpened...

Eric came in for just a bit and set up his acoustic guitar...He got married the next day, but is still dedicated enough to be in on his wedding eve!

Sunday

came and Eric and Rachael got hitched. It was a fun wedding, you can see it in their faces!

Monday

Being the local banjo guy has its perks. Any instrument with a skin head comes my way. This little north African drum needed a new head so it found its way to my bench.

I'll be back later today!

Dave1climber - Posted - 04/23/2013:  07:47:37

Ken

When I read your post and found that you had a hanging, I thought that a major artist had donated a painting that had to be hung.  As always busy.

Kaelri - Posted - 04/23/2013:  09:35:46

My kid and I enjoyed the "hangin'" part....we thought it added and exciting twist to the thread! We were relieved to find that no one was actually injured. 

Ellen

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/23/2013:  20:34:17

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/23/2013:  20:34:17

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/23/2013:  20:58:50

4-23-2013

SOUTH MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

We (Eddy Coffey who will be playing bass for me on this trip) just arrived at the Colonial Inn here in Memphis. We are not to far from Elvis's Graceland, the temptation looms large but I figure we'll head on down to Vicksburg in the morning anyway. I taught then we escaped town and headed this-a-way. There was a nice lady at the Mud Island parking Garage who was extremely helpful  with stowing Eddie's Toyota for a couple of days...



So what did I do at the shop to prepare for this trio today? Well One was getting up the pieces to two pearl inlay projects that I'll cut (hopefully) as the boat chugs up and down the Mississippi River.

This project is for a banjo that will be a return to the Egypt theme of my Pharaoh banjo.

Here I am preparing the patterns for cutting on the computer. I use Corel for this, I suppose that Photo Shop might be easier but I have used this program for years through all sorts of incarnations.

The first batch of patterns was printed out on some Friscut (a clear mask for airbrushing) that a friend had suggested. The ink smudged right off. So I sprayed it with some shellac. It didn't work...

The WIFI at this place is just not behaving so I'll try another post!

Edited by - Dan Knowles on 04/23/2013 21:02:09

Steven M - Posted - 04/24/2013:  13:12:06

Funny that you say you are a Corel man, so am I and have used it since its inception. Great drawing program.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/25/2013:  21:46:06

4-25-2013 11:00 PM

ON THE QUEEN OF THE MISSISSIPPI

SOUTH OF MEMPHIS

For the first time in what seams like forever I got a piece of WiFi! I'll try and play catch up and complete the last post.

I've just finished picking instruments and other equipment from an evening performance here on the Queen. What a lovely crowd to perform for! This bunch of folks have been just wonderful!

I did a banjo teaching this morning for around fifty folks and by the time we were done most could do a nice clawhammer lick. My little banjos really did their job well!

This afternoon Eddie Coffee and I did an afternoon concert for an hour and a half in the paddlewheel lounge. The doors were open and we had a great time playing all the while watching the guests fly kites eat and in general have a great time.

And then this evening we gave a concert for around one hundred fifty guests who were ready to party in a big way!

Most of the day I played Sherry Lynn the ebony banjo. She is a real champ! The John Balch calf head has been solid like a table top! This is quite unusual for a skin head to be so stable. I don't know what John puts on these things but whatever it is it certainly works. Koodos John!!!!

Well lets us complete the other days post....As I was waiting for the shellac to dry I changed the strings on my green copper spunover rimed banjo. I'd been wanting to try this one with nylon.  I really prefer the Chris Sands nylon strings they seam to be more stable than the Nygut or LaBella.

Here I'm fitting the thicker nylon stings into the nut.

Well the Friscut just wouldn't quit smudging, I should have known. So I went back an did my old usual and printed the pattern on paper.

I cut them out and cyno glued it to the pearl...

I usually rub the pattern adhering it to the pearl with a piece on paper that has dried glue on it...

More patterns on...

Here I'm truing one edge on a symmetrical piece...

The whole batch ready to cut. I'll be cutting at these tomorrow here on the post.

I have all the pieces put in envelops ready to travel.

More in the AM if I have WiFi...

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/29/2013:  18:56:36

4-29-2013

BACK HOME IN PARIS

&

BACK ON THE HANGOUT!

What an eventful trip I've had! It is so good to be home though. Be it ever so humble...

We left Vicksburg, MS at 4 AM and I just got home a couple hours ago. I'll make a catch up (Ketchup) post more fully tomorrow. In the mean while I'll step back a few days.

Internet service on the Queen has been spotty at best, so when I returned home and checked my in box I found 143 new email messages. If one of these is from you I'll try to get to it in the morning or maybe I work through a few tonight. I almost hope for a lot of spam!

Anyway I told you that to tell you this... I hope that the internet problem on the boat is taken care of by my next trip. I have missed posting. Who would have figured just a few years ago how important to our lives this would become.

My good friend (and fellow musician) Eddie Coffey joined me for the first half of the trip. Eddie is a very fine flatpick and fingerstyle guitarist and a great bass player. It is too cool performing with Eddie.

Here Eddie's helping me do a banjo teaching workshop. In this one we had a whole bunch of happy students who all were able to do the basic clawhammer lick by the time we finished. I've been calling these little banjos the BanjoHangout Mini Banjos to the guests...

Later in the evening we performed for our boat mates and had a large time! Notice Sherry Lynn the ebony banjo getting a work out... What a banjo!

Amazing Grace on the musical saw...

More in the morning...

Kirk Jacobs - Posted - 04/29/2013:  19:46:41

Welcome back!  Looks to be a great time was had by all.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/30/2013:  06:30:40

Kirk,

It was a great time and a lot of work!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/30/2013:  12:04:16

4-29-2013

FOTOZ FROM THE RIVER

Mostly this post will be photos from the past few days out on the Queen of the Mississippi and not a lot of verbiage.

The wake rolling off of the bow.

Wheel wash... I remember the first time I was asked to take a "wheel wash sample". Ever see a Jackalope?

My first class from Friday...

Sunrise from the stern...

The old Kress building, downtown Memphis... That's not paint, it's glazed tile.

Sunday on the Mississippi...

The American Queen, north bound...

Danny Conger (Master Fiddler) and my new red and white shoe... wish I had the other (grin).

My second class of students, from Sunday.

The boys in the HOT BAND in Vicksburg. (L to R)  My son Sam Knowles (bass) , Mark Holladay (guitar) and Danny Conger (fiddle).

Golf on the Queen!

Ported ins Memphis, The high water has back washed a bunch of Driftwood next to her...

More traveling, next post real soon...

DEmery - Posted - 04/30/2013:  13:37:19

Dan it looks like you are doing well out there and the ebony banjo is getting a work out. Pretty photos. I have fond memories of Memphis. Sherry and I maried in Millington at the air station jsut north of Memphis in an old naval chapel long since torn down. Immediatley afterward we drove into Memphis to stay at the Holiday Inn Rivermont on the old river down town. It was years ago - but that is a great town. The Queen looks nice docked. Tell all those banjo student to pick hard and practice daily. David E.

Dave1climber - Posted - 04/30/2013:  16:09:41

Dan

Many thanks for the photoz.  Looks like all of the students were having fun.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/30/2013:  20:27:10

David,

You sure must have played some of those good memories into the ebony banjo because the closer to Memphis the better she played! How did you know that's what I told all of them?

Dave,

You are so welcome... We all did!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/30/2013:  21:06:34

4-30-2013 (later in the day)

MORE TRAVELING

It was cloudy when we arrived in Vicksburg on Sunday. I promised the guys that we'd go touring the Vicksburg battle field in the afternoon. So after a long walk up Clay Street to the parking garage (where I had stashed my van) we drove to the Military Park. Nature wore her finest spring green in the mild heat and we so drove with the sliding doors wide and the windows down.

We passed monuments, plaques and statues which abounded on the emerald lawns that covered the trenches where men killed and died.

Nearing the half way point of the tour we were amazed by a round domed structure... the Illinois Monument. It was constructed entirely of a grey veined marble. We stopped and quietly approached it.

The brass plaques on the walls name all of the Illinois men who were here.

This room held sound in the most holy way

I walked inside and started to sing. The sound seamed to rise and float on the air.

A song from the War, the Blue Eyed Boston Boy.

In moments Sam and Mark joined me.

Soon the Boston Boy became Amazing Grace.

With tears in our eyes we sang.

This for me was the most wonderful event of the trip.

More soon.

DEmery - Posted - 05/01/2013:  03:29:45

Fine photos Dan. I have never seen anyone sing and set their pitch by hanging a Snark tuner on their shirt pocket. I would send that idea to the factory and maybe you can get commissions on the new sales opportunities Snark hadn't considered. David E.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/01/2013:  05:22:49

GREAT IDEA DAVID! I may chase this one down!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/01/2013:  05:51:33

5-1-2013

VICKSBURG to MEMPHIS to HOME

Here are a few more travel photos from Sunday and Monday. After this we are caught up!

Here is a row of busts of Union generals which I thought looked much like something from the ancient Greeks.

Sam standing in front of the USS CAIRO (pronounced Kay-rooh).

A very important historic photo from the USS Cairo museum, he must be an ancestor of mine! Maybe even yours!

On the way home Monday, Sam wanted to stop and see Elvis' home, Graceland. We got there before they fully opened. So we saved $35 and saw the outside of the house and the KANGS grave. Here we are by the gate.

Tourists by his house...

I like this photo of Mark. He's standing by Graceland's wall. It is covered with graffiti messages, most to Elvis, expressing love and longing.

Here I am at the top of the world... at least at the top of the world famous Peabody Hotel!

And this final shot... Mics in the studio of Sun Records. All from the 50', two RCA 44's and a RCA-DX 77. These are great old ribbon mics.

Back in the shop, tonight...

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/01/2013:  17:39:04

5-1-2013

SHOP AND PEARL

Yesterday (Tuesday) was my teaching day. As tired as I've been from traveling, I was thankful for the students who canceled. For most teachers that I know the number of students fall off as the nice weather approaches. I wonder if the same is true in the far north?

Anyway I told you that to tell you this... My faithful student, Will Turner asked about an old banjo head so I dug through the batch of them them find this one. So today as I was getting the day going I put them all away. Unfortunately I had taken my 8 foot ladder home so I had to use a stool.

Afterwards I began preparing some hot hide glue to use tomorrow. Here I'm sticking some in a little porcelain shot glass for watering and cooking.

I poured som near boiling water over it to soak and cook...

In the hot pot it goes...

I started cutting this pattern on the Queen the other day. It was fun. I did a pearl cutting workshop in the open air of the top deck for about 20 people. This is a symmetrical pattern an Ankh the ancient Egyptian symbol of life.

Two pearl pieces were glued together to maintain symmetry. My first cut is the hollow from the center. Before cutting anything else I file it smooth getting rid of all of the kirf marks.

Next I saw the outside of the pattern.

And file it clean...

After a good while of cutting, I place the pieces in a jar of asitone to remove the glue and paper patterns.

Fresh from their bath there won't be a lot of extra work on these...

The pieces are laid face down on some low tack masking tape and are glued together...

Here they are glued together...

t

More tomorrow!

Edited by - Dan Knowles on 05/01/2013 17:40:04

DEmery - Posted - 05/02/2013:  17:00:10

Remind me Dan...what are these inlays going on? You making another Egyptian banjo for someone? David E.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/02/2013:  17:26:59

David,

I'm glad you asked. Yes, these are for another Egyptian themed instrument that I am building for a fella out in California.The neck blank is partially prepaired and curing and when the river called I started on this one... And I've been cutting as I go along, it just feels good!

Ho C Ying - Posted - 05/02/2013:  17:53:52

Dan, I enjoyed your beautiful pictures very much. Thank you for sharing!
^_^

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/02/2013:  18:17:59

5-2-2013

SHOP N' SMALL

There was an old LG you see

Who came to visit me

But when I looked inside

Her insides were fried

And soon the top will

have to come free...

Yah, this one came in today with a broken X-brace. I've never seen one broken quite like this. A straight across break as if someone was able to just snap it in two. This will require pulling and rebuilding the complete top. Normally this would not be economically feasible but in this case it is.

Here I'm finding the broken brace...

Back to sawing on the pearl. This is a piece of gold lipped mother of pearl from Australia. I'm cutting out the balance beam of a scale of life...

Now one of the scale bowels.

Bill Sprague, a retired photographer stopped in today. We talked of shooting pictures and flying ultra lights. As we were talking I looked across the room and saw these instruments sitting in a new Hamilton instrument stand and I thought "what a picture!"

Front to back, Sherry Lynn (the ebony banjo), The Pharaoh and Tommy Ogle's Knowles necked Vega Tubaphone.

Several of the inlays ready to be inlayed.

Someone asked me for a mini banjo (in truth a couple of someone's). So here I'm doing a bit closer a setup than I did for the classes.

More tomorrow!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/02/2013:  18:19:45

C Ying,

Thank you so much! You've made my day!

DEmery - Posted - 05/03/2013:  03:25:27

Funny how the river calls when a banjo is underway. That is how the ebony banjo neck got carved on the big river some years ago. David E.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/03/2013:  05:43:32

David,

That is true... I think I have some photos from that time period if I recall correctly. I was talking to the river laureate "Toots" on the Queen the other day and she told me that an old pilot from the Gordon C. Greene told her, "If you ever walk barefoot on the deck of a steamboat you will never leave the river."

I've walked several times barefoot on the decks of steamboats.

And it's true.

DEmery - Posted - 05/03/2013:  07:13:38

I have never been on a steam boat Dan but tend to keep my shoes on most of the time. Maybe I should hitch a ride at some point in the future when you are playing on the boat and leave my shoes at home. David E.

CAPT Steve - Posted - 05/03/2013:  14:04:02

Dan--have been so enjoying this series; seeing so many instruments come alive or be restored.  Wanted to share that when I was a budding Coast Guard Marine Inspector in training stationed in New Orleans, I had the opportunity to conduct vessel inspections on several of these wonderful riverboats.  Not sure whether I was ever on this one, but vividly recall crawling around many days in the wonderful old DELTA QUEEN and especially around her horizontal boiler and wheel turning machinery.  They really are amazing ships with tons of 'personality' that most others, even passenger ships in what you'd think of as the cruise industry, just don't have.  Loved to ride my bike over to and sit on the levee to watch the river traffic pass by; the Mississippi can really pull you in.  Best,

Steve

dbrooks - Posted - 05/03/2013:  16:36:57

Dan, I've been on the Belle of Louisville several times, but never barefoot.  She's the old Avalon and is still all steam-powered, as you probably know.  My last visit (too long ago) was a John Hartford memorial cruise during IBMA's last visit to Louisville.  Wonderful music on a beatiful on an old steam-driven paddlewheeler.  Since I work downtown, I do get a chance to get down to her dock at the wharf occasionally and frequently see her steaming up river departing for a cruise.

Your music, art and storytelling make the trip even more genuine for your fellow travelers.

David

Kaelri - Posted - 05/03/2013:  18:26:05

Like everyone else, really enjoying this thread, the pics from Vicksburg and the stories all are telling of the ole Mississip & it's boats. I am up in Great Lakes country, so none of that 'round  here. 

Also, the photo op of the banjos/guitar in the rack....purty. 

Ellen

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/03/2013:  18:35:55

All of these comments have got me to thinking...

So well I remember my first river trip.

One Monday 16 years ago I received a call from a man claiming to represent the RIVER EXPLORER a new barge/ riverboat working the Mississippi river system. He asked if I would play on board that Wednesday evening. I really didn't want to. I'd been around folks who worked on the big ocean going cruse lines and that just didn't seem to be fun. So instead of saying "No" I just upped my price. 

He said "That's kind of pricey isn't it?"

Feeling cocky and not wanting the job I said, "Well you know as well as I do that you get what you pay for."

He said that he needed approval from the powers above.

I figured that was it and I'd never hear from him again.

Wrong.

The next day he called me and said come on.

So Wednesday I traveled to Lake Barkley State Resort Park and hunted for this 750 foot behemouth.

No Barge.

No one seamed to know that it was coming or that it was supposed to be there. Just as I began to believe I'd been the but of a practical joke I ran into the marina master. He told me that the barge was unable to land and so had gone on to Dover, Tennessee. She was to leave Dover at 12PM.

It was then 11:15 AM and I had a 50 mile trip down through the Land Between the Lakes. The speed limit is 45 MPH.

I don't miss shows and I wasn't going to if I could help it. I was told later that I must have driven down the Trace at speeds which exceeded 80 MPH.

In Dover I was told that the Barge would be tied up at a little park on the river.

River Explorer on the Cumberland River

Finally I found her. She was being tied up there in Dover on the Cumberland river. But I didn't know this. I thought she was leaving and leaving me behind!

River Explorer at Cairo

I ran down to the barge hand who was working the lines.

"I've got to get on this boat," I said.

He waved his hand, "OK."

I stood back at my car watching impatiently finally after about 5 minutes I went back.

"I've got to get on this boat," I said.

Again he waved his hand, "OK."

So back to my car I went and worried. After about 5 minutes back I went again.

"Perhaps you don't understand" I said "I've got to be on that boat to do a show!"

"Perhaps you'd allow me to tie her up first," he said.

That night I fell in love...

River Explorer at Cape Girardeau

The HOT BAND on the River Explorer (right to left) Tim May (mandolin, guitar and dobro), Brian Christenson (Fiddle), Me, Todd Cook (bull fiddle) & Mark McWherter (guitar).

She's gone now. Tied up and mothballed in some shipyard below New Orleans.

But there on her decks, wheelhouse and Sprague theater is a big ole' piece of my heart.

More tomorrow...

dbrooks - Posted - 05/03/2013:  18:49:59

I saw the River Explorer tied up at the Louisville wharf several times.  What a huge boat!  I couldn't figure out what it was at first.  Dan, you and I had a phone conversation one Saturday as you were driving to Louisville for a gig.  I can't recall if it was to meet the River Explorer or if it was another gig -- maybe a dance for some Civil War re-enactors?

David

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/03/2013:  19:07:04

David,

It was for the Explorer as I recall.

CAPT Steve - Posted - 05/03/2013:  23:39:09

Hey Dan, what a small world!  The more I looked at the RIVER EXPLORER, the more I thought 'I know that contraption'.  I was the Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard unit in Lake Charles, LA and had a LT assigned to the shipyard in Jennings, LA where the two tank barges were converted into the passenger barges.  I met with the owner, Eddie Conrad, worked through the plans with my staff and spent some time in the yard to keep up with what was going on, but my LT did the day-to-day inspection work.  This was a really interesting project and concept; I was transferred to Buffalo, NY before it was completed in 1998.  The pictures you posted are the first time I've seen it in operation.  I'm sad to see that the downturn in the economy resulted in the integrated barges and tow being laid up and out of service.

Mr. Conrad is an interesting and fun man.  He's also pretty creative. Think you would like him.   Before he operated this vessel, he ran commercial towing vessels, then got into using his towboats to push deck barges onto which RVs were loaded.  If you had an RV, you could reserve a spot and drive it on board.  He eventually covered similar waters with this set-up prior to the RIVER EXPLORER; Mississippi, Ohio and Atchafalaya Rivers and the ICW in Louisiana and Texas.  I ran into these RV barges around 1990 when I was stationed in Morgan City, LA and we were among the first to see his idea.  They were initially 'head scratchers' for us and as the Senior Investigating Officer (kinda the marine law guy) at the unit, I was asked to determine if this was a legal operation.  It was, we just required him to provide some basic lifesaving and firefighting equipment. 

Man, you've brought up some great memories.  I really loved working with ships of all sorts and even more the different, interesting people who work in the industry.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/04/2013:  04:39:40

Cap.

I know Eddie Conrad. I first met when he saw me perform on the Maiden voyage of the River Explorer. Eddie became like a second father to me... perhaps a River Father would be better. I spent untold hours with him...Listening and learning river lore/ life. Hearing tales of grand exploits and those that didn't work so well. I describe and hopefully honor Eddie in my song Towboat Town:

50 years on these rivers, is not near enough.

A quiet pipe under stars at night,

Watchin' these lights is my delight.

Still wonderin' what waits around the bend.

Eddie Conrad painted by my friend Gene Snowden

Dave1climber - Posted - 05/04/2013:  05:43:08

Sure do enjoy all your posts Dan.      

CAPT Steve - Posted - 05/04/2013:  11:21:03

Wow, Dan!  Eddie's a fascinating guy.  Could be kinda crusty at times, certainly opinionated, but a very creative thinker.  He's one of those guys that illustrate the best things about a true American's character and you've captured that in your comments.  He was a risk-taker, willing to try new things, or take a different twist on something, even with the possibility of it failing.  I really enjoyed the opportunities I had to visit with him and I sense from your posts, including the one above, that you are a kindred spirit.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/04/2013:  12:13:39

Cap.

You got me... Kinda crusty!!!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/05/2013:  20:23:22

Friends & Neighbors

You may have been wondering just what has kept me from posting the past couple of days...

Well it's this. I've been trying to get my next CD ready for printing.. Man has it been a lot of work!

I finally got it set up and sent to Disc Makers!

It makes me want to cheer!!!

Disc Makers are good folks to work with.. I've sent several CD's through them and their service has always been good and their prices reasonable.

If you'd like to see the cover and CD proofs (in 3-D, how cool is this!) just click on the link below.

discmakers.com/AVLFlashViewer/...cfBMp0rs0

I should have product here and for sale around the 22ed. of this month.

dbrooks - Posted - 05/06/2013:  03:10:36

That's great news about the new CD, Dan.  Looking forward to it.

David

Kaelri - Posted - 05/06/2013:  04:44:01

I'm gonna start saving my pennies!  Looking forward to it, thanks for letting us know.

Dave1climber - Posted - 05/06/2013:  04:49:04

Dan

Put me down for one.  

Will they be marketed through Elderly Instruments?

Dave

Woodturner - Posted - 05/06/2013:  05:57:25

I figured you were just roasting up some more of your designer coffee, or painting, or throwing clay, or working on your home projects, or performing...or some other useless crap like that. 

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/06/2013:  18:45:14

David, Ellen & Dave,

Thanks for getting excited, I know that I sure am! Looking Back is a selection of tunes from my first 9 CD's. The temptation to go all the way back to my earliest recording and release a few was only stifled by my listening to them! So I picked the ones that I thought would make a good project. Its been fun for me to listen to these little snippets of time. I have so many memories of the extraordinary musicians who lent their talents to helping create this work.

If you'd like a taste of the recording look in my Hangout Music. Last Letter Home and Lullaby from Jibberland are two of the tunes included.

Denton,

I...don't do nothin'

I don't do nothin'

I don't do nothin' all day

That's a new song I'll call it Song Fer Denton

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/06/2013:  19:24:52

UNDER HOUSE & UNDER HILL...

5-6-2013

    I realize that most folks have more sense that to attempt to Luth in an attic, on a roof or in a crawl space... but I ain't got no cents! I spent my day working on a house that we have for sale. Fortunately we have an accepted offer, but like so many things, it's conditional. So the "conditional" part of the work had to be completed. So this Luthier played the part of Roofer, Electrician, Plumber, Yard Guy, Painter and General Handyman! Most of it I enjoy... except working on my back and stomach in a crawl space. This one isn't bad as crawl spaces go. But they don't call 'um crawl spaces for nothing!

"OK buddy it's time to CRAWL!"

Anyway I told you that to tell you this, These next photos came from Saturday as I was teaching Eric and Kevin  (Steve).

First though, I did a set up and made a new bone saddle for this Martin guitar. Just a couple of shots...

Here Kevin (aka. Steve) is choosing a piece of ebony for a peghead overlay.

Our newlywed Eric is sand truing the side of his fingerboard in preparation for neck carving... Note that ring. He's justifiably proud of it!

I'm roughing out and removing the major waste wood from the sides of Eric's neck. Because of the danger involved in this operation I always do this for my students.

Here I explain some of the intricacies of heel carving.

Eric carving with just a tiny bit of help from me.

Steve learns how to drill acoustically! No electric drills here! No Sir!  We are followers of the 32 amendment!

This hole is for his truss rod access.

Cleaning and shaping the hole with a rat tail file.

I found this photo of Eddie Conrad in my files. I don't remember taking it but that is certainly Eddie in a serious moment.

Tomorrow

Teaching and getting ready for the river...