Hi Mort. I've had her out for a test drive for two gigs now. She worked great acoustic down at Sandstone Friday and electric at Monday music. She has a nice low twang and plays easy. I'm liking playing a 3 string again. And i've never played a 3 string using the heavy strings. I usually used a 10, 13, 17 on my strumsticks. The lower tones worked nice with the group who have fiddles, banjo and mandolins. Thanks Mort for the direction. .. Dave

Well Mort, it was fun building and i do like how she came out. I think i'll lower the action for better finger picking and show it at the Sandstone show. You are right that it's worth more than 125. I was simply honoring my word at being cheaper than 150. It got more expensive than i started off to make. The parts just add up. As it stands it's got about 100 in parts even though i got the parts at very low prices. Anyhow, all's well. I'll keep at it and maybe you'll soften for one down the line. Jamin would be fun. Maybe at the Red Mug some Monday soon? .... Dave

Hey Mort, she's almost done. Just some adjustments and tweeks. Sounds very good. One of my best. I think you'll like her. Pictures posted this morning. I'll keep her for a week of test runs and final varnish etc. Then you can come fetch her. 125 would be ok. As i said cheaper. If too much that's fine as i have a show coming in July at Sandstone Old School Art Center of my builds and pots. This one would look great in the show. .... Dave

More progress Mort. Controls added today and the interior bracing is done. Photo's on todays pictures. .... Dave

Thanks Mort. Glad you're liking it. You wanted a lower priced model. I'll keep it low as that was our deal. You'll wind up with a nice axe for less. I'm doing it to get something out there. Perhaps you'll show it off on Nation if you like it.

Hey Mort. Just posted latest photos of your git. Top is cut and pup added. Control plate is done except for the pot holes and jack hole. Now you can see how she'll look.

Mort, thanks for the details. I think i've got it.... 5th, 4th and 3rd string GDG. Highish action but fretting still possible. I like it.... I'm on it..... you'll get it.... D ... still could use your input on string spacing (the space between the strings). 1/2 inch will use the fretboard width to good effect. However you may prefer a 3/8 inch. Let me know if you can. ...

Hey Mort, i'm closing in on your build. I could use some more information. What string spacing do you like? Will you play it finger picking or slide or both? What strings do you use? Thick ones like the 46, 36, 17? or the thinner ones like 10, 13, 17? How do you like your action? Low for fast finger pickin or high so you don't whack the frets with a slide? Do you use a strap or play on your knee? I got the top cut out with one sound hole in her so far. Access panel tomorrow morning. Varnishing continues. 3rd coat.

Hey Mort. There's more progress on your build. Pictures posted a few minutes ago. You can find all of the photos in my Squirrelworks album. ... Dave

Sorry Mort, can't leave a message for some unknown reason. I try, but it just sits there and never sends. So, i just copy and paste it into your comment wall and it gets done. Just not private. .... wish i could fix it, but i don't know how. I cant add photos or vids to a comment either. Just a glitch in my system i guess. By for now.....

Hey Mort, thanks for the note. I'll try for something affordable. That means using my edging wood and what materials i already have on hand. I've got some good choices. I'll go for rustic, but with nice plates and pick guard. Probly a Mahogany neck as i have a beautiful piece waiting to be a neck. I've got quite a few pickups in my drawer. I'll choose one on the basis of vintage and height. I'll give it a go and show the result. .... Dave

Hi Mort, thanks for the note. I'll keep the build on idle till i hear from you. I've got cigar boxes. Nice wood ones of guitar size. Also some old boxes and i make old boxes too from reclaimed wood off the industrial beams of our grain elevators, etc. I can make something for less money. So when you feel the need, let me know. ... Dave

Hi Mort, what's up? No hear? Was my quote too high? What's a matter? Winter got you down? It won't let go of us up on the Tundra. Wishing for Spring and the Robin's song... Dave

Hi Mort, i can't seem to get messages sent via the regular way, so here's my message right on your page instead. Hope you don't mind the lack of privacy. ... Hey Mort. Taxes are over, i'm ready. I like 3 strings. I've got a Nice Mike Orr walnut fretboard with a good fret job done on it. You say a solid body? I've got a very nice thick plank of Magogany 10"x14"x1 1/2". I got a big plank from Woodruff Timber which has made two lap steels and this left over solid body. I think the tone would be awesome. I've got lots of guitar necks also for electric screw ons, both regular and short scale versions. I've got an array of vintage pickups. Mostly single coil monsters. I like those the best. There's a rawness to them that is my favorite tone. I like sweet tones too. What guage strings do you like for your 3? I could also go looking for a wild plank from my wood venders. Something more interesting than the Mahogany. My builds would be about 150-200$. I've got boxes of antique nature or could make a box from interesting wild wood like my recent Squirrel Works guitar. I've got many thickish planks of luthier wood that could be made into a thick box and with a neck through design would be heavy and solid body like, but a box. I've got a nice 2x2 of Mahogany for a neck. I've got oak also. I'd add wood binding strips to the fretboard for fitting the fretboard to the neck. What is you favorite string spacing? How many frets do you want to the body and over the body? The Fretboard has 24 possible. I usually cut off a few frets to make room for the pickup and a sturdy body and neck. Well, that's a start. Direct me a little and i'll begin. .... Dave

Hey Mort, sorry i missed you at the studio. Sure, i could do a commission. Your idea sounds fun. I'll be super busy till after tax time, then things smooth out a little. We'll have our meet up yet... Dave

Hey Mort, ya i'm at the studio especially on Tuesday afternoons. From 1-5. With Empty Bowl going on i'm there lots of other times too, but you can count on Tues. ... Glad to meet with you. Dave

Hi Mort,

Thank you for the kind words on the box guitar.  I have a pandora PX3  and recently gave a PX4 to a nephew (pretty much like the PX3 only with the option of amp modelling with all the effect options via the extra wheel).  I only play for my own interest and so have never used it on anything more than a 30Wamp but I think it is well worth the money.  I have used it with piezo discs (with and without a preamp) - work well and the control wheel on the PX3 means you can avoid feedback.  Undersaddle piezo rods work well and give little feedback even at higher effect settings.  The one I have lets you select between low output and high output pickups for single coil or hot humbuckers and I have found it good with single coils, mini humbuckers and also hot humbuckers.

I have a zoom 2 effects unit which really sucks by comparison.  My initial idea was to fit it into a box guitar but when I realised how good it was I kept it as a separate unit so I can use it on all my guitars.

In the UK I find they often go for a good low price on ebay (for the PX3 or PX4) so when I got one I knew if I didn't like the sound I could easily sell it on for the same price.

Regards,

David