Ok. A few yarns ago, I somehow got the bug for music. I kind of liked this stuff I heard but wanted to hear it this way. And then there was this other thing that was so simple and light and ethereal, and that would be really really cool. And then there was this other thing that was perfect for supporting MY vocal range because it was a bass and I am a baritone. And then there was this kit that was for a three stringed instrument that was really easy to build but it was all the wrong everything else - but I built one just to see how it was done. And then I took some notes and I got out my ruler, and I bought a compass, and a pad, and a pencil, and a protractor, and I read a book, and I accessed an internet, and I listened to videos, and I, and I, and, and, and, ..... NOW!
I have this design, sooooooo. I bought some wood, and some parts, and some glue, and some - wow that equipment is expensive - did you know how expensive that equipment is - and I attempted some things by hand - and did you know how bad you can really screw up a piece of wood by hand (tries to put piece back on, looks at ground, looks at piece again, looks like Charlie Brown, looks at ground) ..... &$#@!
I am going to make someone angry here. I don't like guitars. The are to big for my reach. I don't like Ukuleles. They are too shrill. I don't like courses that is just so redundant. I don't like bowed instruments as I don't want to go through the torturing cats phase. I don't like electric because they are too electric. I don't like too many strings. I don't like reverb. I don't like buzz. I don't like ping. And I don't want my instruments to look like they are dressed up to help Vice squad make arrests on Friday night. But don't get me wrong - I have seen other people use these things to gorgeous effect, as real artists. That just ain't me.
There is nothing available for me in kits to assemble and get what I want. There is nothing available that is what I want. There is no one where I live who can help me do what I want. I have proved to myself I can't do what I want on my own. Now the question is: Is there someone out there with which I can collaborate to do what I want?
I can lay a blanket on the porch and use sandpaper. I can use a safety knife to make notches in a nut or bridge. I can glue and clamp. I can get a steamer kit from Rockler. I can cut rough forms out of 2x6s to shape the sides once they are steamed. I can glue the cut back boards or soundboard pieces together and sand them, shape and set the braces, place the foot, set the head, bolt the neck, set kerf, fret fingerboards, mount the head, mount tuners, use oils, stains, ...
What I can't do is cut the neck, prep the neck for the truss rod or other support, cut the soundboard, cut the back, or cut the sides, or seemingly find a decent three string tailpiece.
I am not in a position to act immediately. In fact right now I am low on non-fubared materials that meet my requirements. However, is there anyone here interested in discussing what it would take to help me out?
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