Special
Orders, Instruction, and Repairs
Special Orders. If
you want an instrument built just for you, talk to me. I will
build in about any wood that I can obtain with any features
that I can understand. I usually require a deposit of $1000
(or more depending on materials selected) before I start your
build. If you
elect not to complete the purchase of a guitar I have made for
you, I will keep your deposit until the guitar is sold. Having a guitar custom crafted for you
will cost more than buying one already in inventory, so if you
play one you like, buy it. That one will sound just like
you expect it to.
Guitar Building
Instruction. My students build a guitar under
my guidance in my shop. All phases of building are
covered including design, wood choice, tool selection and
maintenance, construction and finishing. Expect about
100 hours in my shop spread over several months depending on
both of our schedules. Expect to do a large amount of
reading and other homework. This process is both
exciting and satisfying and you end up with a very nice
guitar. I take no more than 2 students at a time.
I charge a flat $4,000 for this. You purchase all of
your own materials (usually $500-700).
Guitar Repair in
Fredericksburg, VA: I will undertake repairs to
guitars of other makers when it makes sense to both you and me
to do so. People often bring me their special instruments
for personal attention. If the repair is simple, often I
can do it while you wait. My shop rate is $60/hour plus
materials. Call (after 10 a.m.) or e-mail for an
appointment.
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![Pat Wictor's Slide Guitar](images/wictorsslidereduced.jpg)
A special slide guitar (no frets) prepares to enter the world of
performance. |
![Bill Reese with his bouzouki](images/Gramann%20Bouzouki.jpg)
This bouzouki is played by Bill Reese of Moch Pryderi. It
has a sitka spruce top with East Indian rosewood back and
sides. The sound is remarkable.
|
![Zoe Mulford with banjo](images/zoe-with-banjo.jpg)
Zoe
Mulford gets acquainted with her new banjo. It has a 12"
walnut block rim and a mahogany neck with a 1 3/8" nut. My
banjos have glued up block rims for a solid feel and a strong
sound. I make wide necks with a comfortable feel. If
you're looking for an open back banjo, come see me.
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113- Left-handed
Rappahannock. I make one of these occasionally. This
one was on display at The
House of Musical Traditions in Takoma Park, MD. You may have
any other model left-handed (no extra charge) with an order. |
![90 front](images/90-front-reduced.jpg)
This Rapidan was made specially for
silk and steel strings. It plays loud with a soft touch.
|
This
pine was cut sometime in the 1840's to be part of the crib dam in
the Rappahannock near Fredericksburg. The dam was part of
the canal navigation project completed in 1849. The
wood was submerged from1849 until 2004 when the US Army Corps of
Engineers blew up the concrete power generation dam just
downstream. Some of my friends and I retrieved this piece of
wood from the river. I made an acoustic guitar from Oak and
Pine that were part of the crib dam. That guitar was
auctioned to benefit the Friends of the Rappahannock in
2006. This wood would make an excellent electric guitar
body. I have enough to make one. It could be
yours. Want a "Damlecaster?" |