Kaelri - Posted - 03/28/2015:  04:33:16

Never mind my question of who did the arrangement...I just found the answer! 

Dave1climber - Posted - 03/28/2015:  05:09:21

Five minutes and thirty three seconds of pure pleasure

Dan Knowles - Posted - 03/28/2015:  16:19:37

Ellen & Dave,

Thanks I'm glad that you enjoyed it.

At present there are no plans to release it on CD.  I am working on a extended chamber orchestra and banjo concerto called the TENNESSEE SUITE. The original version WINGS was released as the first track on the Return to Baptist Alleyway CD and it still in print (a mild and not too subtle sales spiel!)

Dan Knowles - Posted - 03/28/2015:  17:09:22

SATURDAY

It was a chilly morning that greeted me as I walked out my front door headed to the shop to teach. I was a wrapped up so it felt good to get outside and ride my bike.

I've a couple of banjos that I've been finishing up for a store order. This one has a dark stained mahogany neck that is getting grain filled with my not-so-patented-grain-filler, a mixture of sheetrock joint compound & tint... 

Ole' Zeb came in and went right to work on his guitar body preparing to rout for binding...

I sharpened a scraper so Zeb & Kevin could use it. The first step s flattening the side. Next (not shown) would be drawing the burr...

Routing for binding...

Kevin truing up his neck side...

MORE TOMORROW!!!

Dave1climber - Posted - 03/28/2015:  21:09:40

Another productive day. 

tylerandal - Posted - 03/29/2015:  08:44:29

Dan,

I got a chance to show my banjo to Alan O'Bryant and Tim May last night.  They both seemed to really enjoy it a lot.  Tim said he'd probably give you a call soon and Alan said he liked how tight the notes were on the banjo... soundwise, not feel.  He played quite a few tunes with three fingers on it last night.

The Pope - Posted - 03/29/2015:  10:26:06

Re: Yin/Yang guitar: Roy Noble, ace guitar builder, once decided to write down everything that effected the tone on a guitar. After pages, he gave up.

kvdkieft - Posted - 03/29/2015:  10:27:03

quote:Good Grandpa! Time out for Grand kids is the best! Love seeing your work. Thanks for posting pictures of Old Duffer too!

---

Originally posted by Dan Knowles

MONDAY

Ok. I wasn't gonna let you in on this, but this morning Debbie and I went out and bought a used Prius. We've been needing a second vehicle for some time and have been out looking and shopping. We were hoping to find one (that would fit our budget) before I head out on the road in a couple of weeks.

Can you believe that my winter break is nearly over? The American Queen is clling along with her new sister ACL boat The American Eagle. My feet are sure getting itchy to travel.

Well anyway we found this one at our local Toyota dealer. 2011, not a killer deal but we can afford it and it fits our needs. It rides nice and is pearly white too!

Off and running on David Emery's white oak 000.

Oneist I got to workin' in the shop this morning I first thicknessed the top. Well more like sanded the rosette flush to the rest of the top. Then I routed out the soundhole...

Here tiz. All cut out. that little dark aria is a filler piece that will be covered by the sound board.

Preparing to cut the x-braces...

Sand fitting the bottom of the brace....

X-brace fit & glued together is getting some glue to stick it to the top...

Placing the go-barrs...

Two tone bars yet to be glued in. I'll do it in the morning before I clean the shop up for students...

Debbie came by the shop and pulled me away from brace gluing to watch (and listen) to our granddaughter Katelan perform with a county wide middle school chorus. That's Katelan dressed in blue, in the center, standing next to a blond girl with a black tee shirt.

David I know it was your guitar I's a workin' on but I'm sure glad I left to see this! They all did great and she sure made her grandpa proud!

More Soon!

---

Dan Knowles - Posted - 03/29/2015:  11:45:57

Dave,

Yes it was!

Tyler,

That's very cool! I may be heading up to your neck of the woods this next week. I call/ text / e-mail you if I do, perhaps we could do lunch.

Erik,

Isn't that the truth! 

Kenny,

You are welcome. Perhaps you could post a photo of your self with the Pharaoh 2 banjo! Even better I may turn on the Skype and see if you are there in a bit!

Edited by - Dan Knowles on 03/29/2015 11:46:47

Dan Knowles - Posted - 03/30/2015:  19:22:40

NEW VIDEO

HALF

Jon Eaton sent me a link to another video (his camera shot) from our February concert that he just posted on the Youtube. It is called Half .  Jon and his wife Anna wrote together (and sing in this video).  Check it out! I hope you enjoy it!

youtube.com/watch?v=nG9uQEjzb54

Dan Knowles - Posted - 03/31/2015:  18:40:33

TUESDAY

I just got in from the shop, teaching day. It is difficult for me to believe that in one week from now I'll be loading up the ole' van for the first river trip of the year. It will be good to be out picking with Eddie and all the other folks soon!

I sprayed finish on a couple of banjos Sunday afternoon so yesterday morning I did a bit of a wet sanding hoping that I'd sprayed enough finish... I had not at least on this neck.

This one had a thin spot too...

This rim was just right. Does this remind you of the Three Bears?

My good Almost Brother Benny Coley from Jackson, Tennessee dropped by and brought me these very interesting gloves. They are supposed to ease the pain in ones hands. Those little black dots are magnets and being one size fits all they fit snugly on my big ole' paws. Do they work you ask? Well the jury is still out in that trial, in fact the opening statements have only just been heard, so...

Anyway in the photo I'm wetting a white oak guitar side, readying it for bending. After it is wet it will be wrapped up in the aluminum foil and placed into the side bending machine.

And there it is, a nice sandwich of stainless steel, silicone heating blanket, thermocouple, wood & stainless steel. The waist is brought in first...

Then the upper and lower bout...

Cookin...

After a few minutes of cooking in the bender out come the side, all bent and ready to escape from the foil...

Most of my guitars have laminated sides, usually a hardwood mated to a soft wood like spruce. Here a set of inner sides are being cut to profile...

And wetted heading for the bender...

More Tomorrow!!!

rubicon - Posted - 03/31/2015:  18:52:25

That's really cool Dan are those the sides for Dave Emery's oak guitar ?

Dave1climber - Posted - 04/01/2015:  05:43:07

Dan

I seem to recall that bender from earlier posts, and was wondering how many guitars have you built using that fixture?

Good looking banjo parts.  

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/01/2015:  05:54:25

Rubicon,

Yes those are for David's guitar.

Dave,

I really don't know. We changed over to the bender a couple of years ago. Up to then it was all pipe bending. This is a real time saver. I load a side in, do the basic bending in 5 or 10 minutes and go working on something else as it cools and sets. The repeatable accuracy is way up too.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/02/2015:  19:45:22

APRIL 1

Somehow I have misplaced a couple of days.

When I got up this morning I went looking in the usual places where I hide things like that.; under the bed, down in the basement, up in the attic. I even looked in the back of the van... no dice.

I went to the shop and searched and searched; up in wood storage, back in the spray booth, in the toolbox, under the sink in the bathroom, I even looked in the filing cabinets... no luck there either.

I could feel the frustration building.

Where was it? 

I know it's here somewhere.

Maybe inside the cases in the instrument storage room. Out they all came. Every last one opened. Every instrument searched. Maybe behind the racks... nope.

Where are they? Where have they gone? I think I'll just scream and cry and tear out my hair!!!!

Oh...

Debbie just told me April fools day was yesterday...

shucks.

****************************************************

  Well I've got a couple of days away from the ole' BHO and the photos have built up. So tonight I'm gonna post the whole bunch. I'll try to keep the verbiage down to a minimum... we'll see.

The PUPPET MASTER  painting is going into a local art show Saturday and I needed to get a frame on it for display. So Tuesday I bought some baseboard, painted it black and started cutting & nailing.

The miters get trued up with a hand plane...

Nail holes are filled...

Corner trim and all...

Bending linings...

Gluing sides...

A side clamped...

The linings are to be laminated from walnut and cypress with the walnut being the visible layer...

Applying glue to the cypress...

On with one of the walnut strips...

Clamping...

Clamped...

A high 14'th fret on this Martin gets filed down level....

And crowned...

The fingerboard gets oiled...

Off come the clamps...

The outside edges are trued with a plane...

Individual lining strips are ripped out, sanded and shaped. This gluing netted me six strips...

Here the glued up sides are in the mold with the end bloc under clamps....

Blocks in, top linings in place and clamped...

More Soon!!!

rubicon - Posted - 04/02/2015:  22:38:51

How cool is that ! These are the sides for David's Oak Guitar ?

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/03/2015:  04:39:07

Rubicon,

Yes, they are David's.

guitarman8491 - Posted - 04/03/2015:  05:24:14

Dan..it is really taking shape..Dave is going to have one heck of a nice guitar.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/03/2015:  16:26:41

Doug,

Ya I feel good with the speed that it's going.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/03/2015:  16:44:01

FRIDAY

The clock is counting down. Four days until the river call must be answered and there is so much to do before I leave. I have given myself a chalange of closing the White Oak guitar body up before I leave. If all goes well I think that I can make it.

Here is what went on with it today:

Because the neck and the butt end of the guitar body are different dimensions, I've got this little gig/ form whatever to mark the even gradual change. Here I'm marking it...

And cutting away the excess....

Planing to the mark...

Here I fit a piece of the bent lining...

And apply the glue...

On with the first clamp...

I like to burn a brand in the body of the guitar somewhere. This time it's on the neck block...

A few hours later, glued up...

I usually apply finish to the inside of my guitar bodies. On this one I'm using shellac....

MORE SOON!!!

DEmery - Posted - 04/03/2015:  18:04:01

Dan we have been down a bunch of banjo rim, neck, and hardware paths - but not a guitar. Glad this is Luthier's Life so you can slip in a guitar for me. Never really gave as much thought about how a piece like this is built..., much less finished so pretty from the inside out. Needless to say I am stoked. Have a good trip and I will look at the photos until you can get cranked up again. David E.   

manomusic - Posted - 04/03/2015:  18:22:37

Incredible work Dan, thanks for sharing this with us, I check it out on a weekly basis and there's always a nice surprise in store.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/04/2015:  04:31:44

David,

I'm glad you are enjoying it! I hope to make some progress this morning at the Lutherie Class... we'll see. I will be exiting the class some today to deliver paintings.

Neil,

Thanks!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/04/2015:  17:34:36

SATURDAY

What a beautiful Saturday morning. There is nothing to compare to early spring here in Paris (Tennessee that is). The first of the blossoming trees pop in pink. There is a gentle green mist as the trees prepare to leaf out. Soon the Dogwoods will Bloom here in Dixie.

The PUPPET MASTER  was carried down for it's debut showing along with another recent painting 1353 BCE Nefertiti. It's gonna be interesting to hear and see folks responses to these paintings.

So I hurried in this morning, so just before the fellers showed up for class I could sand the finish on the white oak guitar's rims... 

Everybody was in the shop today Kevin, Thomas & Zeb. Everybody teasin' , laughin' and creating sawdust & wood chips! Ole' Zeb (on the left) made up some walnut binding  and got it all glued onto his guitar. Kevin (on the right) fit his neck joint (and got his neck fitted too!).

Thomas thicknessed his sides, back and top. And he laid out all his bracework. All and all good achievement for everybody!!!

After class and later this afternoon, I came back to the shop and had some achievement for myself. It was medium rare with a nice crust on the outside just like I like it! Unlike revenge achievement usually is best served fresh, with a side salad and some appetizers on the side. My drink of choice with this meal is root beer, served ice cold straight from the glass bottle.

Back down to earth Dan...

This is what I did...

I laid out the back brace placement (where they will be mortised into the side linings), marked the linings onto the back plate, trimmed the brace ends and painted on a couple coats of shellac.

Check out that quartered white oak grain!!!

MORE REAL SOON!!!

Edited by - Dan Knowles on 04/04/2015 17:36:59

DEmery - Posted - 04/04/2015:  17:54:20

Isn't that oak something else. I am so accustom to seeing typical tone woods which are wonderful - but the character of the quarter sawn white oak is has a character that will look and feel old when you finish with it. Thanks Dan. David E.

bluegrassthumper - Posted - 04/05/2015:  09:31:29

Hey Dan, I will not make Banjo practice Tuesday night. I am going out of town. I reckon for me, this will end all my practice sessions (reluctantly).
It sure has been a very positive learning experience. I appreciate your patience and helpful advice. I realize I still have a long way to go, but I will trudge
forward. Maybe at least, I'm on the right track. With spring and summer upon us, I just will not devote as much time to my banjo playing. Perhaps, I
will resume again this winter. If I still owe You for lesson dues, please let me know and I will take care of them immediately. Best wishes for the coming
tour season. (P. S.) I told You I was hard-headed, but I truly enjoyed every bit of it.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/06/2015:  17:28:57

Raybon,

It's been great having you as a student! I've seen quite a bit of growth in just the short time we have worked together. Every thing is up to date. I hope to see you here on the BHO and in the flesh again sometime soon!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/06/2015:  18:12:25

MONDAY

The river's call is getting louder. Wednesday morning Eddie and I will be heading southwards to Vicksburg, Mississippi. Amazing how quickly the winter has passed. Tomorrow being a teaching day, tonight's post may be the last in shop post for a week or so. I do hope you enjoy some river pictures!

Ok, so let's us get down to business...

This morning (and early afternoon) I finished the last of my in shop repairs that I slated to accomplish before leaving (yeah!!). So I had a little bit of time that I could devote to the white oak guitar.

I won't get it together before I head out. Next week I will though!

Still I got a bit accomplished on it.

Here I'm cutting off the waste aria of the back plates. This I'm cutting a bit large, just in case!

On the guitars I build I always add a cartoon on the underside of the top. I usually think of it as being a little surprise for some future repair person who goes wondering around inside the guitar with a mirror!

Oh yes, I forgot to tell you, I never show these to anybody!

On goes the shellac on the inside of the top...

Earlier mortises were laid out to hold the back braces. Here I'm routing out those ledges...

Routed...

Checking the fit. and it went just as planned. That's always a relief!

Do you ever leave something to the last minute? I've had all winter to do this and I never could seem to find time.  The little banjos that I use to teach with on the boats need just a bit of attention, So just before heading home I got the little buggers out. I fixed one and set the others out on my bench to work on in the morning...

More Soon!!!

DEmery - Posted - 04/06/2015:  18:31:31

Dan I was looking at the bracing on the top and they look very carved and smooth from early carving. Are they tuned at this point or is that a process of tinkering as the body goes together. I didn't expect any finish on the wood inside. Shellac gives it a toned look but do most builders do this? The inside of guitars I've seen simply appear like raw, unfinished wood. Is this to control the absorption of moisture or to impact the response of the box in any particular way. It is fun to see the rough fit of the back go well. I supposed there will be more when you return from the river. Hope it is a good trip. David E.      

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/07/2015:  18:02:16

David,

Yes, both the top and back braces are tuned. The shellac is there it slow down moisture absorption. It tends to clear up some of the upper frequencies. 

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/07/2015:  18:21:44

TUESDAY

Just a quick note tonight. Eddie has arrived. The van is almost packed. Tomorrow morning bright and early we'll head south towards Vicksburg and the Queen of the Mississippi.

This morning I went through the little banjos and made sure that they would all work like I hoped. One needed neck adjustment (it got adjusted). Another had a bad tuner (it was replaced).

There were two that I had put some uke friction tuners on, not a good idea. So I replaced the tuners. 

Here I remove one...

I have a bunch of old sealed tuners that I'm using to replace the uke tuners. So I enlarged the tuners....

On go some of the new tuners....

Tightening the nuts...

Tomorrow

From the River

DEmery - Posted - 04/07/2015:  18:23:20

Dan I went on line last night and reviewed the shellac wash coat step. Seems some point to violin techniques of long ago and experienced luthiers using this technique on their guitars. This little guitar is getting the full treatment. Thank you. As ususal...you give me more than expected be it banjos, mandolin rebuilds, or in this case a guitar. David E.   

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/09/2015:  13:57:44

David,

You are so welcome!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/10/2015:  13:51:45

THURSDAY

(between Greenville & Memphis on the Mississippi river)

Well Here we are on the Queen of the Mississippi. Presently I'm sitting up on the sky deck talking with a former Hollywood recording engineer and having a great time reminiscing. 

Eddie and I drove down to Vicksburg, Mississippi on Wednesday in a van loaded down with instruments and stuff, raring to go and play music. This was to be the first time we've performed together since last December. This promises to be quite a busy and exciting season. Furthermore it is wonderful to be out with Eddie, such a great bass and guitar player and wonderful friend!

Anyhow we got on board the Queen with several hours to spare. Loaded all the instruments into a mid-ship lounge and our cloths and such into an officers quarters room. Home sweet home away from home.

And of course here are Eddie and I working our first show...

And here is our Thursday group of Queen of the Mississippi  banjo 102 class. The were great!!!! 

This is our quarters for the first half of our trip....

More from Memphis later....

60spicker - Posted - 04/10/2015:  14:52:41

Who takes the top bunk?

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/10/2015:  18:18:06

Terry,

I got the bottom one on this trip.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/10/2015:  19:59:49

FRIDAY

We arrived in Memphis Tennessee early this morning having made a quick run, through a wonderfully mighty storm . We were passing Helena, Arkansas when it hit. Wind, rain and lightning all around us. But being tired from performing and our craft's smooth ride I slept through the whole thing.

First out I have something for Terry who always notices my dress. Check these Vibram 5 Finger shoes. I love these things, they are so comfortable!

The Big M bridge over the Mississippi river as viewed from my room, taken just before I went down to breakfast.

After breakfast it was out on the town. We were off the the boat, up through Beale St. Landing, on to Beale Street to finally wondred the Main Street pedestrian mall. Over near the Peabody Hotel I saw this bit of home... 

We stopped into one of my favorite places in Memphis. The Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art. This is perhaps the finest collection of extremely high quality Asian artwork that I have ever seen...anywhere. I have loved this type of work my whole life and I just never get enough of this place. 

Today I was privileged to spend some time with the one of the museum's directors, Jade Powell  (next to me) and her wonderful side kick (who's name has slipped my mind. I apologize in advance cause I figure you might be reading this!). We are attempting to make one of them there selfies!

A small bit of an ivory sculpture. These figures are maybe 1 1/2 inches tall...

An ivory boat (a riverboat I hope!)...

Eddie tells me that this sculpture is of a cook praying his meal will work out!

Here is a detail of a 7 1/2 foot tall wooden soldier sculpture...

There she is my home away from home the Queen of the Mississippi!

Tonights gorgeous Mississippi river sunset...

More Soon!

DEmery - Posted - 04/11/2015:  03:26:35

Sherry and I dated in Memphis when we were first acquainted years ago. I was stationed at NAS Millington just north a few miles. It has changed a good deal I suppose. We should get back over there one of these days. Hey....I like the shoes. David E.

Dave1climber - Posted - 04/12/2015:  09:17:06

I was just catching up from ten days of vacation with no internet.  What a busy time you have had.  I do like the looks of the oak guitar.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/12/2015:  16:26:52

David,

I'm sure much has changed in Memphis. You should check out Gus' Fried Chicken (yes, yes , yes!) & the Belz Museum, wonderful places. 

Dave,

It has been very busy. I'm in Vicksburg, Mississippi right now, getting ready for dinner and tonight's show. I'll try to make a fuller post later tonight if I can.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/14/2015:  06:14:14

MONDAY

(AIN'T IT GOOD TO BE BACK HOME AGAIN!)

Nope, this is not the way my home looked when I returned yesterday evening.

The trees are all leafed out, the dogwoods are reaching the end of their bloom and the grass has turned emerald. It is great to be home!

This has been a great trip out on the Queen. We met so many wonderful folks and expearanced things we will long remember.

I couldn't help but include this photo of the Queens paddlewheel. I find it not only beautiful but mesmerizing to watch...

This was one heck of a banjo 102 class! You talk about a group of folks who got it and got it good! Ethan, the young fella behind me was amazing! I handed him my classical banjo and he handed me back Ground Speed! He grabbed the clawhammer lick (that I taught) and ran with it like a rabbit!

Levon Helm's old stompin' grounds, Helena Arkansas as the sun sets over the Mississippi river  Saturday evening. 

Eddie and I showin' out!

More Soon!!!

Dave1climber - Posted - 04/14/2015:  06:53:33

It would seem that Ethan is attached to that banjo.    Watching the bow wave can also be memorizing.  I agree, it is good to be back home again.

60spicker - Posted - 04/14/2015:  08:51:53

Thanks for thinking of me when you went shoe shopping. I have this vision of you with your banjo and those shoes tap tap tapping out a rhythm in the John Hartford style. I might actually pay to see that.

Kaelri - Posted - 04/14/2015:  09:15:21

I'm secretly hoping Ethan will convinced his folks to take him Banjo shopping as son as he got off the river cruise! 

Dave1climber - Posted - 04/14/2015:  10:59:05

quote:

---

Originally posted by Kaelri

I'm secretly hoping Ethan will convinced his folks to take him Banjo shopping as son as he got off the river cruise! 

---

Me also!!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/14/2015:  19:09:16

Dave, Terry & Ellen,

Dan Knowles - Posted - 04/14/2015:  19:25:58

TUESDAY

I got up this morning and hung around the house till it was near time for Debbie to go off to work, then I went to the shop. It sure was nice just hanging out and relaxing.

Off to the shop I did the trip book work, banking, prepping for students, had lunch and then jumped into fitting the top into the sides.

First thing out I finished sand fitting the top of the rims to the radius board...

Then placed the top in spot underneath the rims and marked outlines and brace mortise placement...

The inner edge of the lining has to be marked on the x & shoulder braces then the lining thickness added. I've saved a piece of lining so I can move the mark over...

Marked...

Sawing...

Chiseling...

Pre-sawing the notches for the lining mortise...

Routing out the mortise...

And checking the fit. It's fairly close but still needs a little work.

Time to stop. The students are now arriving...

MORE SOON!!!

Dave1climber - Posted - 04/14/2015:  21:21:38

Progress!



 

guitarman8491 - Posted - 04/15/2015:  04:38:23

Dan..how sweet it is..Dave's guitar is looking great. Liked the pic's on the Mississippi River. What a great venue for banjo playing!