When do you decide to simply buy an instrument?

[Arnt Rian]

I play mainly electric guitar, or at least that's what I did for a very large part of my life. I have built a few, but for some reason I don't find them nearly as interesting as acoustic instruments, from a builder's perspective. I play acoustics too, of course, but as a player I am far more interested in (and better at) electrics. Go figure...

[Matthew Lau]

I guess that, like everything else in life, I'm over complicating stuff.
I'll just have to make some sawdust and instruments.

-Matt

Ps. Mario, seriously?
I always envisioned you to have a shop full of space aged tools.
In the unlikely event that we meet, I'll gave to get you a shinto rasp.

[Mario Proulx]

Ps. Mario, seriously?
I always envisioned you to have a shop full of space aged tools.
In the unlikely event that we meet, I'll gave to get you a shinto rasp.

Many years ago, our own Michael Lewis told me I was a minimalist, and he was(and still is) correct. I think we were discussing hand saws for fine work, and I just shrugged and said I used my hacksaw...

What's a shinto rasp?

[James Tonguet]

I hadn't bought a new instrument since I began builiding 14 yeas ago , then a few months ago I came across a mint used ES-339 for a song ( the bad economy has some benefits) and snagged it on the spot with no regrets.

Now I'm back to building with 2 current projects.


Unless you really find that very special guitar that crosses your path, build it . they are always special

[Tim Douglass]

As someone who plays badly I would rather use up my time building. If I could actually coax real music out of an instrument I think I would have a bit different take on it. Basically, if I wanted to, say, start playing the banjo I would buy one because it would take me at least a year to get one built (OK, more like 5 years right now, but you get the idea). Since I will never be a great guitarist but I want to have one of everything I will just keep building until I run out of life or space. I ran out of money a long time ago.

[Matthew Lau]

A shinto rasp is a rasp made of hacksaw blades.
It's Japanese in origin, but works surprisingly well.

http://www.japanwoodworker.com/dept.asp?dept_id=12881

I have the 11" one.
While it's not an Auriou, it's pretty nice for the money.