MIMF Archtop Guitar Project

[Michael Lewis]

Well, I'm back from the Strawberry Music Festival and still looking for the rest of my mind and body. I don't recharge as quickly as I used to. Oh yeah, the guitar! I'm just about to glue the back on and send it off to John as soon as I get the overhang trimmed.

In less than 2 weeks I will be at the Grass Valley Bluegrass Festival doing repair and set up workshops. Sometimes I wonder why I am doing all this, but I do it anyway. Life is good.

Regarding getting a case, if someone will spring for it then do it. I had thought I could get one for less money but my source has dried up.

John, I put maple binding in the 'f' holes, if you don't like it feel free to remove it and try your hand at it.

[Michael Lewis]

The body in on it's way to John Hamlett for neck attachment and binding.

who is interested in doing frets and set up? That would entail installing the frets, machines, bridge, and tailpiece.

And finally, the finish?

[Michael Lewis]

BUMP!!! Anybody out there??

[Darrel Friesen]

I'm a little surprised at the lack of response Michael. I guess it's easy for me to say that I'd love to help, but my geography, associated shipping costs and risk of confiscation at the border all prevent that possibility. Hopefully some other people will step up to fill the void and contribute as you and others have already done.

[Mark Swanson]

Well, it is the heart of summertime, folks are (at least around here) really busy doing all the summer stuff before the time runs out!

[Michael Lewis]

There is an ebb and flow to most everything, so I guess something will happen before long.

[Mario Proulx]

Wish I could help, but Mr. Lacey, Mr.USFWS, and Mr. Customs conspired to keep me solidly out of this project...

[Michael Lewis]

Thanks Mario. I wish you could help also. Politics is so #*^@!$%? , oh well.

[Jim McConkey]

Visiting the in-laws anytime soon, Mario?

[Mario Proulx]

Not 'til spring 2013(god willing and creek don't rise)

[Ryan Mazzocco]

How is this project going? I'd love to help if I can. I'm not that experienced yet, but maybe there's something I could do to help it along?

[Dennis Duross]

I have zero practical experience, but would like to see the thing put together. Or even any in-progress pictures.

[Michael Lewis]

Anyone interested in benefiting the MIMF by supplying a case for this guitar? It is a 17" across the lower bout and will fit into a case for a Gibson L5, L7, L10, L12, J200 as they are all the same body outline. We will need some sort of case to ship the guitar to the next luthier once it has the neck attached.

We're waiting on Louie for the neck but he has his hands full for the time being, and hopefully should be active here again before too long.

[Charlie Schultz]

Louie has begun posting recently, you might try pinging him. And I'll put up the case if no one else volunteers.

[Louie Atienza]

Yes, I'm finally back... actually I was planning to come back last month but had to go to the Philippines for a few weeks to take care of some matters with my fiance. My apologies to all those waiting for me. I have had the neck blank glued up for quite some time now, so I'm ready to start carving. I hope you all like my selection of wood (maple of course...)

[Darrel Friesen]

Great to see you back Louie. You've been missed. Hope everything's OK.

[Michael Lewis]

Great to see you here Louie! Check with John Hamlett when you have the neck roughed out, as I sent the body to him several months ago.

Things are starting to perk up as we near Spring, then in the Summer things get slow again as school lets out and folks go on vacations in the hot weather.

[Darrel Friesen]

The sub-forums are not immediately apparent at times. For those involved in the Archtop Project, please note that Michael put out a query a few days ago. If you are involved with the project, please make sure you check the sub-forum.

[Michael Lewis]

BUMP!

[Michael Lewis]

Hi again folks, I know we all get busy with 'other things', it's just they way life flows. But I want to get this back on track in the new year, and by then it will be almost two years since this began! We have little to show for the time and not much benefit at all for the MIMF luthier's recovery center and re-hab facility. Start thinking about this and let's get all the 'pieces' allotted and lined up so there will be a continuity to follow, from one luthier to the next, and so on until it is finished and sold for the benefit of this forum.

Open for comments.