Graduation...

Today was the final day of the journeyman program. With a bit more review, and some repair lectures with Bryan, we then had our written exam. After a thorough cleanup of the shop and classroom, we had a little graduation in which our certificates and final "grades" were given to us. Jacob brought his own cap/gown combo... he was finishing the master class, and I'm expecting great things for/from him in the near future! (Mando cafe folks, this is Yellowmandolin, and I hope he doesn't kick my ass for putting up this pic!)

The goofballs in the other picture are the guys who shared Cabin 1 - Nice fellows all, inasmuch as I got to know them, which isn't very much, but some.

Farewell to Boyland... I've learned a lot here... overall a very positive learning experience despite a few crises of confidence and discouragements along the way. I'm very pleased with the guitar and feel I got what I came here for, which was to get a solid foundation in building and repair concepts, methods, tools, materials and skills-- on which to practice and grow.

I'm headed home over the next couple of days. I doubt I'll be able to retrieve the pics and audio from 5/1... the card is still not registering... which is a shame. As soon as I can, I'll make a recording of the guitar, proper... in tune and without so much background noise... so you all can appreciate its voice. I was playing it next to my Martin D-28... very different tone, but equally lovely.

Camera failure! oh no!

Actually... it's just the storage card. For some reason, neither the camera nor the computer is able to read it now... it must be damaged or something. Fortunately, all but today's pics are backed up to the computer. Unfortunately, I won't be able to photo document today's work... but I will tell you what happened.

First off, as I was prepping my guitar for it's evaluation, Bryan Galloup (the master luthier here) came by, took a look at the guitar and alerted me to the fact that the saddle was too low on the treble side... making for a poor break angle from there to the end pin. This would result in loss of tone as well as unwanted movement of the e string. The solution? Well... the saddle is at the right height for good action, so the answer is to shave down the bridge. It turns out I had shaped the bridge a little too high on the treble side. So Bryan shaved off the top of the bridge, maintaining the curve and shape... just taking down height. Re-chamfered the bridge pin holes, and then I reamed them a bit to ensure the pins would seat properly. The result is... it's better.

Then did a final polish and submitted it for evaluation. Got an 82%. I'm pleased with this for a couple of reasons... first, because it is a substantial improvement over the 74% I got on the electric, showing improvements in all the hand-skills, measurement skills, etc. involved. And also, I hear that the highest grade they've ever given is a 90%. So 82% is cool with me. For the most part, I was aware of the flaws for which points were deducted. A ding in the sound hole (from the bridge clamp), uneven shaping of the heel, file marks on the edge of the fretboard, a little gap in the purfling, string spacing slightly off, scrimshaw lines not deep enough, etc. I am aware of the skills that need further sharpening and practice... and that's the real point of the evaluation process.

Overall... it is a beautiful guitar, with a lovely voice that I think will get better with age and as the wood settles into its guitar-ness and gets used to not being tree. Russ was playing it a bit today as he was evaluating it, and I recorded some of that and was going to post it, but I may not be able to retrieve that from the damaged storage card. I am very proud of the guitar, and know it literally inside and out. I look forward to showing it off to any and all who will humor me.

What's left to do are some lectures on repair topics we hadn't gotten to yet, as well as a written exam and shop clean-up. I'll be packing and preparing for my journey home...

And once I get home, I need to figure out how to continue practicing and developing these skills. Any of you in my neck of the woods who need repair or set-up work done on your fretted instruments... let's talk!! And of course I do have a room full of projects at home... still have some equipment to get for my "shop"...