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Doing it for the first time.

So you agree to make a guitar for another person for cash!!

No problem right, I've built a few, they look ok, they work as they should, apart from the one's that live under my bench, but I wont mention those.

Idea's are exchanged, an imaginary design agreed, just to be clear this is two people thinking about roughly the same thing and fine tuning it on the telephone. Is this faith in my ability justified ?

Next question how long will it take ?

That one I struggled with, I have never really thought about how long it takes me to build one before because it has never mattered, it's done when it's done.

A quick mental calculation required, I have most of the components not a problem, what is a problem is the way I work. Building for me is not work, that's what I go out to do every day because I have to. Building for me is pleasure something to be savoured and enjoyed.

So my usual approach would be to go in to my workshop/studio [ garage ] sit at my bench put some music on have a drink and a smoke and think about it for a while, when I have done that I might have another drink and another smoke and think about it some more. Then I will make a start cut the neck out first usually, then I will get distracted thinking about the bridge or something else that does'nt need thinking about yet, and on it goes spending ages doing things that don't need doing, and a bit of time doing things that do, but thats because I enjoy it.

Discipline thats whats needed so I say a month, my client is happy with this so off we go.

Over the next few days the neck is cut the bowl is cut [ I favour bowls over boxes ] a dry joint made reasonable progress! Then life happens it's two weeks before I can get back to it. Panic sets in.

Super applied discipline now required, a couple of days later it's mostly done, no drinking and daydreaming, well just a bit.

So self induced pressure gone, self doubt gone, guitar finished to be handed over in two days, enjoy it Paul.

Will I do it again.

Off course I will.

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Comment by Paul Smith on March 31, 2012 at 4:22pm: Hey D, I've just googled white ladies (witches) in Worcestershire... I had no idea about this folklore, very interesting. I hope there's no extra charge for the history lesson!!! See you tomorrow.

Now the wife, who also had no idea is ousting me from the computer to do some research... Geetar practice for me then.

Comment by bouydog 8-9-8 on March 31, 2012 at 3:33pm: The white ladies, legendary witches of worcestershire. They are already in your kingdom, what you don't want is to have them in your bowl.

Comment by Paul Smith on March 31, 2012 at 6:48am: I just want to make it clear that all ladies are welcome in the Blues Bowl Kingdom! ;-)

Comment by The Professor on March 31, 2012 at 6:35am: That was my comment using the professor's computer.

bouydog 8-9-8

Comment by The Professor on March 31, 2012 at 6:32am: Thanks Phrygian I thought Paul would need a tiki to ward of the white ladies.

Comment by The Phrygian Kid on March 31, 2012 at 3:11am: That came out really cool. I like the tiki

Comment by bouydog 8-9-8 on March 31, 2012 at 1:03am: Thanks Clock, calm that Wolf down.

You are right ED building is all that and more, but I find that as soon as I finish one I want to start another. Maybe it is because I cannot play [ I will do my crappy 20 second version of bad to the bone, think yes that works move on.] So I would rather a player used them for there intended purpose and derived pleasure and enjoyment for them selves and others.

I will just sit at my bench have a drink, have a smoke ,and think about stuff.

Comment by ED (Bad Finger) on March 30, 2012 at 8:02pm: Beautiful work. Your approach and mine are similar. But none of mine are made for sale. I've had one purchased. And I miss it. Building is quiet meditation, challenge and learning.

Comment by Clock The Wolf & Negative Bunny on March 30, 2012 at 7:14pm: "LOUD SLOBBERING SOUNDS"

Comment by Paul Smith on March 30, 2012 at 4:44pm: A great insight into the building process. I must confess that I get stressed thinking about building for myself.
I'm looking forward to meeting both builder and build on Sunday. With thanks Paul

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