Thread: Tassie Myrtle OM

That is totally jaw-dropping, Bob.
Makes my builds look like they're made from lego.
How many hours for this one?


cheers, Stu

That's very impressive, I like. You better post a pic of the headstock so we have the complete picture!

What's an OM??

I'm fascinated by guitar bindings. Are there any guitars made without edge bindings? Are there any guitars made with overlapping plates like violins?

G'day Stu

100-150 hours I guess. There's two of us doing this, meself and Dave, who is a very good cabinet maker and even a better Guinness drinker.

Contrebass

An OM is an Orchestra Model guitar popularised by the CF Martin Company back in the 20's or 30's I think. Generally regarded as the standard by which fingerstyle guitars are measured. The one that Clapton uses on his unplugged album is an OM.

Here's a pic of the headstock

Cheers

Bob

Lovely guitar Bob.

The workmanship looks first class.

Contrebass

I have seen some Martin guitars in the $1500 range that don't have bindings. I don't care for the look or the functionality of them. The bindings are there mainly to protect the end/side grain of the top and back.

If the finish wears out on an unbound guitar, moisture would play havoc with both the wood and the joint, not to mention dings and cracks.

I've never seen overlapping plates on a guitar. There may be some in existence but I'm unaware of them.

Cheers

Bob

Well ... so I'm wondering why bowed instruments don't have the same problems withot bindings??

don't expect an answer. Its one of those conundrums.

Beatuiful Bob, the paua is all inlaid right? black tinted epoxy? How do you get the paua around the curve? Beginners questions......

Contra, Ive thought the same thing, apart from wear and style I cant think of a reason.

Sebastiaan

The Paua shell comes in curved pieces around an inch long. You just have to true the ends up to get a perfect fit. It also comes in different diameters and widths. If you Google Australian Mother of Pearl Supplies you'll see what is available.

No epoxy.

The Paua is set into place inside the B/W/B purflings and flooded with cyanoacrylate glue (superglue) If you plan to do this make sure you give the soundboard a seal coat of shellac as the cyano will stain Spruce soundboards yellow.

We use Hot Stuff red label.

Cheers

Bob

I like very much what you've done with some of our timber Bob. Give us a shout if you're down south and I'll fix you up with a "cup of tea".

Originally Posted by deepsouth

I like very much what you've done with some of our timber Bob. Give us a shout if you're down south and I'll fix you up with a "cup of tea".

Deep South

I'll definitely agree with the "our" bit.

I grew up in Hobart and then lived in Lonnie for 20 years and even though I'm living in Geelong I'm still a proud Tasmanian.

The footy team here is doing alright though. I hope they can crack the big one next week. Go Cats.

Cheers

Bob

Originally Posted by contrebasse

Well ... so I'm wondering why bowed instruments don't have the same problems withot bindings??

don't expect an answer. Its one of those conundrums.

Guitarists drink more than string players.

Cheers

Bob

Wow, if that guitar sounds only half as good as it looks, then you must have yourself one fantastic player there! Excellent work bob, I love it. The bindings are great. I love that binding on the fretboard.

Originally Posted by bob_connor

It's a nice sounding instrument, plenty of bottom end for an OM but nicely
balanced through the strings.

If you ask me, that is a description of the perfect tone for a guitar. I play fingerstyle a lot, so rich bottom but good balance and individual string presence. You had me drooling right there without even seeing the pictures. Very nice indeed.

Peter

Nice one Bob, I really like that axe.

I saw a guitar made with overlapping plates like a violin once, didn't really float my boat, looked a bit odd to me. Can't remember where I saw it. I thought that you'd likely catch an edge on something, just 'cause the way a guitar is held as opposed to other stringed instruments.

That hard shellac looks great.