Steve Clark's guitar

Justin Lazzaro's guitar

Here's the gilded look that Justin wants on his guitar.

Woody McKenzie's Oud

Woody was unable to attend the meeting but he recently completed this oud

Woody documented the building of this oud, with some great picures, here.

You can hear him play it here.

Larry's saddle slotting jig

This jig can cut either left or right hand saddle slots. It's adjustable for different size bridges. It uses a Bosch Colt router with a plunge base.

Misc Pics

Violin

Someone gave Howard Wilson this violin in need of some love. No one at the meeting took it but Rick Dolan later claimed it. If it's repairable, he'll fix it up for one of his students.

Bacon and Day Banjo

Jack Gellerstedt discusses the Bacon and Day plectrum banjo - a bit of history, how it was played. and how it is built. He reassembled it at the meeting. He also brought one of his open back banjos so we could compare the two.

Banjo forensics:
The banjo appears to have little wear. There is some minor wear on the fingerboard at the most common locations used, but virtually no fret wear. Nonetheless, I do not think it has ever been refretted. Perhaps the frets have been dressed. Also, the back of the neck shows virtually no wear.

On the other hand, the case is very worn. Also, it has travelled about. There is a University of Washington sticker, a University of Alabama sticker, and an REA Express sticker showing it at one time was shipped to San Diego. Perhaps the case was from another banjo, and its original case was switched out. Or, the case was battered from shipping but the instrument was never damaged. The case fits perfectly, and I think I read somewhere that the Epiphone case (which it is) was used by B&D when they sold new instruments. Fun to speculate.

Larry's XTool D1 Pro 10W Laser cutter/engraver

It comes with XTool Creative Space software which allows you to import and edit images, convert raster to vector, and set the parameters for etching and cutting. It is good for starting out but not as capable as other software such as Lightburn.

The Xtool D1 Pro is not a monster machine like Frank's Aeon Laser cutter (demo'd at the last meeting) but its function is the same. Frank was driving his machine with Lightburn.

Larry demonstrated using the laser cutter to cut an inlay, cut the inlay pocket, and then install the inlay. The pocket was not quite deep enough and the inlay did not sit well in the pocket. A couple of more passes, higher power, or slower speed should fix that problem.

Frank Riner's V-braced dreadnought guitar

... with laser etched top and etched and painted back. This is the guitar body he etched (the top) at the last meeting. All sepele with rosewood fretboard and bridge.

Frank's V-braced baritone uke

... with laser etched and painted back. Made of poplar with ebony fretboard and bridge.

Howard Wilson's fan fret OM

The most recently completed build is an OM-style body utilizing ovangkol b/s and red spruce top with mild bearclaw figure. The fan-fret chosen was 25.4” bass and 24.9” treble. In addition, an arm bevel and soundport were included which players particularly enjoy.