Thomas Lloyd Guitars

**Geebung** · 15th January 2008, 09:26 PM

I look forward to hearing your soundbites then...however...it doesn't appear you can direcly load sound files (eg. .wav etc.) according to the valid file type list...although I guess you can always put them in a zip file or change the extension to .txt to get them in....has anyone else tried putting sound files in directly?

**BobL** · 16th January 2008, 12:30 AM

Originally Posted by Geebung

I have some other questions (if you are happy to answer that is).

Do you think the two week intensive course is the way to go? I have been thinking that would probably be best given that day jobs always get in the way if you do things part time.

If I lived in Melbourne I probably would have gone for the part time for the reason you mentioned. This has it's pluses and minuses. With part time you can often forget where you got up to last time and have to relearn some stuff. OTOH the learning can congeal probably better over the longer period so you can probably carry knowledge away long term with you. You could also be reading up a few things in between classes and if you had your own workshop you could also be practicing by making a guitar at home at the same time. However, I really liked the full immersion of the two week course - living breathing and making guitars and I felt like I got to know the teacher and other students quicker and so make the most of this.

RE:What was the cost of the course?
The current cost is $3850. I paid less than this because I booked over a year ago.

**myguitar** · 16th January 2008, 11:53 AM

Hi Rob,

Great to meet you at the workshop on your last days of the course.
Wow she looks great!

Hand oiling really brings out the depth of colour in the Australian Timbers.

Yes I agree with you - Chris does give you the freedom to design the headstock and bridge and especially great timber choices - as you have also done with the rosette etc.

Compared to other courses around australia he is the most flexiable yet certainly makes sure you get the job done in 60-80 hrs and ensures your guitar sounds great.

Well done and fab pictures.

Fiona

**BobL** · 16th January 2008, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by myguitar

Hi Rob,

Great to meet you at the workshop on your last days of the course.
Wow she looks great!

Hand oiling really brings out the depth of colour in the Australian Timbers.

Yes I agree with you - Chris does give you the freedom to design the headstock and bridge and especially great timber choices - as you have also done with the rosette etc.

Compared to other courses around australia he is the most flexiable yet certainly makes sure you get the job done in 60-80 hrs and ensures your guitar sounds great.

Well done and fab pictures.

Fiona

Thanks Fiona. I bought the guitar into work and everyone was just blown away by the sound and looks. One of my colleagues said, "Wow - now this is a real productive way to spend a summer holiday"! (he shamefacedly admitted he had spent 3 weeks lounging around the house and watching a bit of cricket).

**oz tradie** · 16th January 2008, 09:18 PM

Beautiful job on the build, Bob.
It's a great way to spend your holidays doing something productive, especially when it turns out this good.

Any dramas with humidity changes and such between Melbourne and Perth ?

Congrats on the great experience and a fantastic build.

Cheers, Stu

**BobL** · 16th January 2008, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by oz tradie

Beautiful job on the build, Bob.
It's a great way to spend your holidays doing something productive, especially when it turns out this good.

Any dramas with humidity changes and such between Melbourne and Perth ?

Congrats on the great experience and a fantastic build.

Cheers, Stu

Thanks Stu.

RE: It's a great way to spend your holidays doing something productive, especially when it turns out this good.
Yep - very satisfying. One of my colleagues commented, " . . I guess its a better way to spend your holidays sitting around the house watching the cricket"!

RE:Any dramas with humidity changes and such between Melbourne and Perth ?
Not really when I pulled it out of the case it was still pretty well in tune except for the high E. It seems to stay in tune pretty well in our aircond house.

Cheers

**contrebasse** · 17th January 2008, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by BobL

the plan is having a really nice instrument will convince me to pick it up more often

OK then here's a hot tip for you. Don't keep the guitar shut in a case under the bed. Buy or make a stand ($25 gets you a fine stand) and put it in a place you pass by often, the you will pick it up more often. Along the same lines, keep the piano lid open, buy a stand for the kids clarinets, leave a snare in the rumpus room etc etc.

You risk the occasional ding or two of course, but if your guitar is put away you risk missing out on those precious casual strums and a whole pile of admiring comments ...

**BobL** · 17th January 2008, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by contrebasse

OK then here's a hot tip for you. Don't keep the guitar shut in a case under the bed. Buy or make a stand ($25 gets you a fine stand) and put it in a place you pass by often, the you will pick it up more often. Along the same lines, keep the piano lid open, buy a stand for the kids clarinets, leave a snare in the rumpus room etc etc.

You risk the occasional ding or two of course, but if your guitar is put away you risk missing out on those precious casual strums and a whole pile of admiring comments ...

Good idea.

**kiwigeo** · 18th January 2008, 04:38 PM

Leaving your guitar out of its case not a good idea if youre Corey Delaney.

**old_picker** · 18th January 2008, 05:22 PM

ack ack ack
hopefull it was broken over his head
tee hee hee

**Scally** · 30th January 2008, 09:00 AM

Really lovely guitar Bob.

What a great holiday.

I have been to a couple of woodworking schools - weekends and 5 days.
I agree with you about getting into the project and getting to know everyone. Work and everything else fades away quickly.

I bet this will be your favorite guitar for a long while.

The diary has been good to read too, thanks for letting us in on your school.

**BobL** · 30th January 2008, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by Scally

Really lovely guitar Bob.

Thanks. Over the last two weeks I have had a few people who know what they are doing play it and they are all really impressed. One of my brothers who can play very well reckons my guitar sounds easily as good as his $5k Martin guitars

Originally Posted by Scally

What a great holiday.

It's definitely the best holiday I can remember.

Originally Posted by Scally

I have been to a couple of woodworking schools - weekends and 5 days. I agree with you about getting into the project and getting to know everyone. Work and everything else fades away quickly.

Yep!

Originally Posted by Scally

I bet this will be your favorite guitar for a long while.

Maybe - at least till I make my next one!

**bille** · 9th February 2008, 03:32 AM

G'day Bob,

I'm from Perth and until 3 years ago promised myself to make time to do this course when I retire.

I developed Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in my hands, had an operation to have them fixed but have lost a lot of dexterity in my fingers - Bugger.

I'm sure your guitar will only get better as it matures, I have a Martin D28 that is in its 31st year and it sounds great, IMHO better than new D28's in the music shop.

I have both mine out all the time, I also have a Ovation Balladeer in its 30th year (I don't think it has changed over the years) for a different sound, the D28 is a bit bassy for some of the music I like.

From what you say your playing ability must be similar to mine, I've just turned 66 and considering retirement so perhaps I'll just spend it concentrating on unlearning all the bad habits I've picked up over the years.

One question did you put a truss rod in the neck, if so is it fixed or adjustable?

Good luck.

**BobL** · 9th February 2008, 05:17 AM

G'day bille,