The last post closed with setting up the new drill press and go-bar deck (ok, I’m a tool geek, so what?) and both tools are a pleasure to work with. The next addition will be a serious heavy duty sander; more on that later.

The new Jack Straw 12 fret is well under way with blocks, sides, and kerfing done. The top has its rosette and will be run through the thickness sander before the bracing goes on.

Speaking of Jack Straw guitars, Dave Franco, who owns a deep body 12 fret I built called up the other day and he’s the latest in a long run of former customers who continue to find me and the new shop.

Bob Czarnowski came in with one of his Goodall guitars, Neil Daener left a sweet little 00-21 for a neck reset, Mike Hinostro’s 1890’s New York Martin is on the bench, John Gennaro came by with a Goodall and is pestering me about a new Jack Straw M-body, and Ray Morisaki came in to ask about a reset on his lovely 60’s 000-18.

Joshua Blatchley has been hanging around so much I’ve put him to work on his own 1930 2-17 Martin and today I got him started on doing a neck reset on the little mahogany marvel.

The last month has been mostly Martins with a sprinkling of Goodalls. Life is good.

Aside from the daily work load I continue to fine tune the shop. Every day I do at least one “infrastructure” addition whether it’s just hanging a tool in a better place or, tomorrow, installing the terrific new Jet air filter/recirculator unit.

After years of working in a place that was too funky for butchering chickens, I take daily pleasure in a “clean, well lit space.”