It’s been a month since I’ve posted anything because I’ve just been too busy fixing guitars. Thanks to all my new customers and special thanks to all my previous clients who have found their way into TGW, often without knowing that I’m the guy they knew at “the big store in Carlsbad”. Every day for the past few weeks someone comes in and says “so, here you are”. It’s great to get re-acquainted with the likes of Ron Franklin, Jerry McCann, Kirk O’Brien, Tom Stoltz, Mark Quint, Jim Arnegard, Joshua Blatchley, Rich Scott, King Thompson, and many others.

New developments in the workshop include a big pile of new tools and fixtures that will make life easier and more fun but the main event is a new guitar I’m building. Many of my previous customers remember my Jack Straw flattops; I built a bunch of them but have been on a long hiatus from building up until now. The new shop is so nice to work in that it encourages new projects and I’m very excited to start building again although I’ll limit it to no more than three or four instruments over the next year and a half.

The first “new” Jack Straw will be a straight forward traditional 12 fret 000 on which the client has requested a sunburst top. I’ve always wanted a 12 fret ‘burst so it will be a great project.

The second Jack Straw will be my interpretation of a Martin Norman Blake and this will probably be one that I’ll have to duplicate for myself. If you have played an NB you know how special the sound is when a 12 fret neck is combined with a 14 fret 000 body. I’ll use a similar formula but with a little surprise when it comes to the body.

That’s it for now, I need to get to TGW early today to set up the new drill press and starting building the go-bar deck!!!