THIS BUILD IS DONE. Three tenors in an interesting build. #s 71, 72 and 73. A luthier told me several years ago, once you have built 100 of them you might know what you are doing. I think he was right, but it has sure been fun learning.
The wood makes such a difference. #73, The Redwood top in the center of the picture has lovely East Indian Rosewood. It is an exceptional instrument, maybe the best sounding I have made.
#71 on the left has cumuru sides and back and a wide grained juniper top. It sounds OK but not exceptional.
#72 on the right has curly maple sides and back and a juniper top with incredibly tight grain. #71 & 72 are strung with the identical Aurora/Aquila strings #72 is heads and shoulders better sounding than #71. You can't tell me that its not the wood that makes the difference.
The wood makes such a difference. #73, The Redwood top in the center of the picture has lovely East Indian Rosewood. It is an exceptional instrument, maybe the best sounding I have made.
#71 on the left has cumuru sides and back and a wide grained juniper top. It sounds OK but not exceptional.
#72 on the right has curly maple sides and back and a juniper top with incredibly tight grain. #71 & 72 are strung with the identical Aurora/Aquila strings #72 is heads and shoulders better sounding than #71. You can't tell me that its not the wood that makes the difference.
This is the tight grained Juniper top on #72. Is it this that makes it sound so good, or is it the maple sides and back? Or is it both. The mystery is the fun of it.