Acoustic Guitar Building Course

Day 11: Part 1
Well everything is done and dusted!!
I have an extra day up my sleeve, so I'm just relaxing tomorrow before heading home on Sunday. Sorry, no videos just yet, unless you head to my Facebook page - Daniel Quaile. There's a couple of short clips from the the workshop and another video that is me singing.

As promised, today was all about the setup and installing the pickup, plus getting to finally hear my new baby squawk and find its voice. It's unbelievable how much change the guitar goes through within the first 10, 20, 30mins, 1 hour!! It's like it becomes self aware and remembers its no longer a tree!!

I started the day installing the pickup, when Aaron called me over to where he was standing and said "just look at that". Without even trying, or noticing it before, I've aligned the grain patterns perfectly.
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Then it was string time. The school uses D'Addario EXP16 coated light strings, .012-.053"
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Still no truss rod cover, that's coming shortly
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First couple of strums. The action is too high, and the strings need to stretch a little. Constantly tuning it for the first 10mins
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I'm kind of glad the other truss rod cover broke, as this news one from East Indian Rosewood is a much better fit.
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Day 11: Part 2
Thanks to Rob the hand model, we get the full picture
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Sitting very snugly in its new home.
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And that's lunch!!
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Day 11: Part 3
Aaron had to have a crack at it though an amp, and just raw unplugged. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...68ce8a91db.jpg

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And that was the end of my time at the Gold Coast Guitar Making School. Please, please, please, if you ever get the chance to call in, please do, and if you ever consider having a crack at a build for yourself, you will not be disappointed.

This new guitar is unlike any other guitar I've played. Not only is it visually stunning, but that somehow translates to what you hear when played. The sustain is incredible, and I've never played a guitar that is so balanced across the bass, mids and trebles. You don't just hear the 6 strings being strummed, the area so many overtones, harmonics coming through the sound is like a piano.

I'm sad to be leaving, but my body is telling me it's time to go home and relax for a couple of days before getting into the daily getting of work.

Thanks for following along, and enjoying my journey!!
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wow Zandit, thats really something to be proud of.
Attachment 28129
Well done man, well done!

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Originally Posted by Dedman

wow Zandit, thats really something to be proud of.
Attachment 28129
Well done man, well done!

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Thanks bud, very, very proud of this!!

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Stunning guitar and awesome documentation of the process, thanks heaps for sharing it Zandit.

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Originally Posted by VonScott

Stunning guitar and awesome documentation of the process, thanks heaps for sharing it Zandit.

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You're most welcome VonScott, thanks for following the build!

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Don't you go thinking this thread is over yet!
We want the story with photos of the trip home and the introduction of the new child into the Tasmanian wilderness ;-)

Looks superb. Well done, Zandit.

If you ever go outside Australia with it, you may want to knock up an alternative truss rod cover from another wood or even plastic, as that small bit of rosewood will now be covered by CITES regs, so you don't want an over-officious customs officer impounding your beloved guitar.

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Originally Posted by cork sniffer

Don't you go thinking this thread is over yet!
We want the story with photos of the trip home and the introduction of the new child into the Tasmanian wilderness ;-)

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Haha, alright. I'm just hoping it makes our that far!!
Tomorrow I'm visiting a couple of music shops to grab some accessories. Try and find a present for the missus who had so lovingly stayed at home to look after our pets for the last couple of weeks.

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Originally Posted by Simon Barden

Looks superb. Well done, Zandit.

If you ever go outside Australia with it, you may want to knock up an alternative truss rod cover from another wood or even plastic, as that small bit of rosewood will now be covered by CITES regs, so you don't want an over-officious customs officer impounding your beloved guitar.

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Hmm, good point. Are all rosewoods are covered by that by that now?

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Originally Posted by Simon Barden

Looks superb. Well done, Zandit.

If you ever go outside Australia with it, you may want to knock up an alternative truss rod cover from another wood or even plastic, as that small bit of rosewood will now be covered by CITES regs, so you don't want an over-officious customs officer impounding your beloved guitar.

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I suspect the concern about CITES is overblown. In the last 12 months I've imported 4 guitars with rosewood content from the US into Aust without any problems. Two were directly from a dealer and two were from a friend who found guitars for me as requested.

Yes, all rosewoods are now CITES class 2 listed.

Every rosewood import should have paperwork associated with it, though you may not see it and I believe (But I'm not 100% sure) new guitars from the big manufacturers have a serial number database that customs can access rather than have paper copies of the relevant CITES documentation. I doubt anyone is really going to get upset over a small truss rod cover, but all it takes is one customs officer who's had a bad day...

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Originally Posted by Simon Barden

Yes, all rosewoods are now CITES class 2 listed.

Every rosewood import should have paperwork associated with it, though you may not see it and I believe (But I'm not 100% sure) new guitars from the big manufacturers have a serial number database that customs can access rather than have paper copies of the relevant CITES documentation. I doubt anyone is really going to get upset over a small truss rod cover, but all it takes is one customs officer who's had a bad day...

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It's also in the binding, but I'll keep it all in mind. Thanks again!

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Amazing thread and really love what you've got there. :)

Individuals may carry up to 5kg of rosewood in their personal luggage without paper work. So don't worry about travelling with one or 2 guitars with rosewood fret boards or detailing.
Yes I checked, a full rosewood tele comes in under 5kg :D

I'd be more concerned about Virgin baggage handlers than customs.

They destroyed a decent amount of Jon English's keyboard players kit a few year back.

RIP Jon

This has got to be the best thread this year so far, loved following your planning and excitement pre trip and the work that has gone into bringing you that fine fine guitar which I'm sure you will treasure for the rest of your life

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Originally Posted by chrissyinbkk

This has got to be the best thread this year so far, loved following your planning and excitement pre trip and the work that has gone into bringing you that fine fine guitar which I'm sure you will treasure for the rest of your life

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Thank you verymuch Chrissy, that is most appreciated!!

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Originally Posted by dave.king1

I'd be more concerned about Virgin baggage handlers than customs.

They destroyed a decent amount of Jon English's keyboard players kit a few year back.

RIP Jon

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Good thing I'm traveling with Jetstar then[emoji23][emoji23]

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Echoing the sentiments of ‘thanks for sharing’. Looks like you had a lot of fun. That guitar looks a stunner.

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Originally Posted by DarkMark

Echoing the sentiments of ‘thanks for sharing’. Looks like you had a lot of fun. That guitar looks a stunner.

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Thanks for following along Mark!!

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For those who haven't jumped onto Facebook, here are a couple of videos taken today.
First is a snippet from Richard Marx's "Now and Forever". Apologies in advance for all of the stuff ups!!
http://youtu.be/XXIJJXrdnX4

And the second is a song written by Dan Seals called "One Friend"
https://youtu.be/ocQ1t3A4ei4

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What an amazing experience.

Thank you for sharing this with all of us, I have loved every bit.

Take a bow as the crowd is giving you a standing ovation.

Well done Zandit and hope Jetstar get you both home safe & sound.

Cheers, Waz

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Originally Posted by wazkelly

What an amazing experience.

Thank you for sharing this with all of us, I have loved every bit.

Take a bow as the crowd is giving you a standing ovation.

Well done Zandit and hope Jetstar get you both home safe & sound.

Cheers, Waz

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Thanks bud. No one would be disappointed doing a course like this. Is been a surreal experience that's for sure!!

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Originally Posted by Zandit75

Is been a surreal experience that's for sure!!

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It sure has.

https://imageshack.com/a/img921/6866/8YPCmS.jpg

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Originally Posted by Simon Barden

It sure has.

https://imageshack.com/a/img921/6866/8YPCmS.jpg

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Bahaha!! Aaron would love to see that!!

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Originally Posted by cork sniffer

I suspect the concern about CITES is overblown. In the last 12 months I've imported 4 guitars with rosewood content from the US into Aust without any problems. Two were directly from a dealer and two were from a friend who found guitars for me as requested.

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Apologies for the above post, looks like things in the US have tightened up.
Last night I ordered another with rosewood and this morning I had an email from Chicago Music Exchange saying sorry but they won't send to Australia because of CITES. I haven't given up, still talking about options with them but no longer as easy as it was as recently as last February.

They can probably send them, but an individual item has as much paperwork as a container load and the same cost to process. They can obviously pass the cost on to you, but it would take them so much time that it just wouldn't be worth their while.

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Originally Posted by Simon Barden

They can probably send them, but an individual item has as much paperwork as a container load and the same cost to process. They can obviously pass the cost on to you, but it would take them so much time that it just wouldn't be worth their while.

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I suspect you are correct. The two they previous sent (since CITES introduction) were upmarket big dollar, this one isn't.

All my bags are packed...... again!!!
Time to leave beautiful Gold Coast and head home to freezing temperatures, and a wife that I've missed dearly, especially the last couple of days.
So, I came, I saw, I built, and I've got the T-Shirt to prove it!!!
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I'll update when we both get home safely!!

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Great thread, and fantastic result as others have already said. Acoustic guitars don't really excite me much, but I do really like what you've done with this one. Its a great shape and the wood choices etc really bring it up that extra notch.

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Originally Posted by Sonic Mountain

Great thread, and fantastic result as others have already said. Acoustic guitars don't really excite me much, but I do really like what you've done with this one. Its a great shape and the wood choices etc really bring it up that extra notch.

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Thanks Sonic, most appreciated.
I can happily advise that the guitar survived the first leg to Sydney unscathed. Barely a mark on the Hiscox case!!

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Have you both arrived back home in Tassie yet?

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Originally Posted by wazkelly

Have you both arrived back home in Tassie yet?

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Yep, safely home and very happy!!!
There is a dent in the side of the case, but no physical evidence inside. I'm thinking that if I leave it in the sun tomorrow it may pop out, but still leave the compressed foam in the inside.

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Good to hear no damage done to your beautiful creation.

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Originally Posted by Zandit75

There is a dent in the side of the case, but no physical evidence inside.

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That's what happens when you unload at a destination with six fingered staff.




Ducking for cover HAAA haaa ;-)

Very happy for you, it's been a great thread to follow and you are an inspiration for we fellow tinkerers.

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Originally Posted by cork sniffer

That's what happens when you unload at a destination with six fingered staff.




Ducking for cover HAAA haaa ;-)

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You mean Sydney???!!!

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Originally Posted by Zandit75

You mean Sydney???!!!

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KO, wink wink, say no more, "yes I mean Sydney" ;-)

The clean air in Tasmania sure messes with your reality :-)