phil dean - Posted - 12/25/2009:  06:56:03

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Beginning construction on a Large Body Koa reso, highly figured Mahogany neck, all Koa body, every piece of hardware is American made, Quarterman cone, #14 spider, Gotoh Tuners, Ebony fretboard, wood binding. Phil

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Edited by - phil dean on 12/26/2009 07:12:08

Erik Waynesmith - Posted - 12/25/2009:  17:22:55

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quote:

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Phil Dean wrote: "Beginning construction on a Large Body Koa reso... every piece of hardware is american made... Gotoh Tuners."

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Unless a Gotoh guitar parts factory has recently been built in the U.S. that I'm not aware of, Gotoh tuners aren't "american made" -- they're manufactured in Japan. AFAIK, the only quality guitar tuners still being produced in the U.S. are Waverly and Sperzel... even Grovers (which used to be built exclusively in the U.S.) are now being manufactured in Asia.

Although I'm sure Phil intended to use the word "hardware" to refer only to the metal tailpiece, coverplate, soundhole covers, strap button and screws, it's quite common for luthiers and musicians to use "hardware" when referring to ANY AND ALL exposed metal parts (including the tuners)... as in "this instrument has gold-plated hardware".

==============================
Erik@AdvancedMusicTechnology.com

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Edited by - Erik Waynesmith on 12/26/2009 05:58:18

Preston Thompson - Posted - 12/26/2009:  07:09:26

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Just a small issue Erik. But if Japan is shown respect by using a capital first letter, do you not think American should be. With English grammar, the word American is known as a "proper adjective", which calls for a capital first letter also. But to me it's just more of a respect thing. Even for a redneck Alabama boy I know that much.

bris48 - Posted - 12/26/2009:  08:30:53

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WHOA!!!!!! Gang,
Lighten up....We all knew what Phil was saying
no need to pick his thread apart
Now you kids go play ..
:-)
Merry Christmas Ya'll

NUFF SAID
Bobby

Stringnut - Posted - 12/26/2009:  08:45:10

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You know Erik, there are a lot of other builders here in the US that don't always use American made "hardware" tuners but I don't see you razing them about it. How about Meredith, Beard, Schoonover, Fish Hook, Deneve, Adams, RedLine, etc., etc.? They don't always use expensive Waverly's. It's almost impossible to avoid foreign made hardware completely especially where tuners are concerned. But the guitars are made in the US by US builders. Not Asian factory workers. I believe that would be the point that you seem to have completely missed. I realize that Gotoh tuners are not American made hardware and maybe that was just a slip by Phil but to jump on something so insignificant and nitpick it apart is just mean spirited. I've always appreciated your technical knowledge that you add to the forum but please trim it back a notch. Nobody needs that "I know more about what you are saying than you do yourself" attitude. Let's try to keep it friendly here.

Dan

Erik Waynesmith - Posted - 12/26/2009:  12:23:35

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quote:

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Preston Thompson wrote

Just a small issue Erik. But if Japan is shown respect by using a capital first letter, do you not think American should be. With English grammar, the word American is known as a "proper adjective", which calls for a capital first letter also. But to me it's just more of a respect thing. Even for a redneck Alabama boy I know that much.

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Preston,

The phrase "american made" with the word American uncapitalized in my post was simply an exact quote of how it originally appeared in Phil's post... which is why I placed it inside quotation marks. I'm quite certain he meant no disrespect, and see that he's now gone back and edited his post to capitalize it (most likely in response to your post).

Erik

Erik Waynesmith - Posted - 12/26/2009:  14:06:49

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quote:

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Dan wrote

You know Erik, there are a lot of other builders here in the US that don't always use American made "hardware" tuners but I don't see you razing them about it. How about Meredith, Beard, Schoonover, Fish Hook, Deneve, Adams, RedLine, etc., etc.? They don't always use expensive Waverly's.

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Dan,

Sorry, but I consider ANY instrument builder making a statement that "every piece of hardware is American made" to be somewhat disingenuous unless all hardware (including the tuners) is in fact made in the U.S. Since you brought it up, I'm aware of only two reso builders who are currently using American-made Waverly tuners as part of their standard hardware -- B&B and Schoonover.

The primary intent of my original post was to point out how difficult it is these days to build an instrument that's actually constructed entirely from parts made in the U.S. I wish that wasn't the case, but that's the way it is. My apologies if I ruffled some feathers.

Erik

phil dean - Posted - 12/26/2009:  14:40:43

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I really have enjoyed building guitars for a while now, but, sometimes the most trivial thing can suck the joy right out of even the most delightful experiences. It makes you wonder if it is worth the effort . I refuse to let something this trivial soak up my happiness. It is useless to belabor a point to some folks, you cannot win if you continue to feed the fire. Thanks, Phil

Stringnut - Posted - 12/26/2009:  15:01:20

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Well said Phil. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing your new Koa build and I find nothing "disingenuous" about you Phil, or your guitars. They are beautiful American made instruments that I am sure bring lots of joy to other, less vocal, readers of this forum. Please keep them coming.

Dan

DaveInAL - Posted - 12/26/2009:  15:56:40

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Paul Beard uses Waverly tuners on his JD Signature and Odyssey guitars.

Dave

Preston Thompson - Posted - 12/26/2009:  19:13:13

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I was just thinking I would say hardly any guitars could be all American. Well the cherry, walnut, chestnut and maple would be. But that was hardware wasn't it?

Gotcha Erik.

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Edited by - Preston Thompson on 12/28/2009 04:52:58

jaykellogg - Posted - 12/28/2009:  06:32:10

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OK, I will dip my pen in this inkwell. As an engineer who has studied US laws regarding country of origin, the law states that the an imported product has to be "substantially transformed" to be considered "made in USA". Actually the law does not require "made in USA" identification. It says consumers can assume it is USA made if it isn't marked otherwise. The law gives an example, knife blades imported where handles were assembled in the USA. These are not "substantially transformed". Sometimes companies cheat and sometimes they make honest mistakes. I worked for a company where they felt that if over a certain percent of the labor was American they could avoid marking the product "made in Mexico" - WRONG!

I would say a guitar with Asian tuners could be legally be considered made in USA. Guitars where the body is Asian made (Wechter Scheerhorn and Beard Gold Tone) would be considered made in China or wherever. Just as our domestic automobiles have parts sourced overseas. In fact, it is probably nearly impossible to tell where some parts are sourced. Many companies have USA and Asian manufacturing plants and ship parts from whichever.

I am not sure where Koa comes from (Hawaii maybe), but Mahogany is almost surely imported. Again, the wood is "substantially transformed".

None of this is aimed at Phil Dean. I would love to handle and play this guitar and I am sure Phil puts every effort into making a superior product that will give the customer many years of pleasure and he does it in the USA.

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Edited by - jaykellogg on 12/28/2009 06:32:50

Preston Thompson - Posted - 12/29/2009:  13:12:47

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Well Jay, he sorta does it in America. He does his work in Georgia. Does that count?

pt

Arrowsmit - Posted - 12/29/2009:  13:21:03

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hehe Preston.

phil dean - Posted - 12/29/2009:  15:28:00

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Good Grief Guys and Gals. How about we just drop it? The Gotoh tuners are not made in the USA,but where are they assembled, hmmmmm. phil@masteresoguitars.com

Square Neck - Posted - 12/29/2009:  15:31:17

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My Hook is Koa and Chestnut (USA) but I got some of that damn Ebony on the fingerboard and rosewood accents...shoot...
BTW....Where in the hell does abalone come from? Got some of that as well LOL
At least my tuners are Waverlys...

Gotoh tuners seem to be the way to go on most modern style, high end resos e.g. Phil's Koa.

I am very glad we got someone like Beard to help all these great builders shine so well!!

Thanks Beard!!

Go USA!!

Grizz - Posted - 12/30/2009:  09:50:28

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Jim, Deja Vu!!!! All we need is our Canadian friend Jay Jennings to chime in telling us how we are isolationists. Keep up the good work Phil. I would be proud to own one of you guitars.
Preston, I think Georgia does count. Unless it's Soviet Georgia

P.S. I hope I win the contest

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Edited by - Grizz on 12/30/2009 12:13:35

jaykellogg - Posted - 12/30/2009:  11:48:34

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quote:

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Originally posted by Preston Thompson

Well Jay, he sorta does it in America. He does his work in Georgia. Does that count?

pt

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Preston, I refer you to the last paragraph of my original post.

The point I was trying to make is, a product is still considered "made in USA" even if some parts were made offshore. I am sorry it wasn't clearer.

bdaa86 - Posted - 12/30/2009:  12:59:33

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Getting back to the original topic of this thread ... I'm looking forward to watching Phil's progress on this new Koa guitar. I own a koa guitar (DeNeve) and can attest to the beauty . I'm hoping to win the contest. That Mastereso Curly Mahogany guitar would look great next to my koa ... :-)

Hey Phil, how about posting some work-in-progress photo's? Just to wet our appetite. Keep up the great work!!

Happy New Year!

Bill

Square Neck - Posted - 12/30/2009:  15:37:31

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Hey Mike!!

So many familiar faces on this thread I thought I was on RN for a second LOL. Wow is that James in your pic the one that was for sale on RN, Zebra wood? That thing looked beautiful!! I'm sure JJ is a great guy, he just doesn't know where he is from (glass house).

I would also be proud to own one of Phil's axes!

Any pics of that Koa Doc? We would all love to see it!!

Happy New Year everyone!!!

<*)))>{

Grizz - Posted - 12/30/2009:  17:42:53

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Jim,
Being jokester in residence, I just couldn't resist throwing that in when I seen you here. Like I told Jay, all is well, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Yes, yes, yes that IS the James Zebrawood. I should be here the first week in February. I'm like you, the wait is killin' me. Yours is ????????? jeez I can't find the words accurately describe it. OUTSTANDING? These builders like Phil Dean, JD, Harry James et al. are just the salt of the earth and they build some killer reso's. Dave Fox told me Harry James goal was to have one in each state. I have GAS bad. My goal is to have one of each of these wonderful builders creations. WOW even I like that CREATION. You know I thought I seen that Zebrawood somewhere, through my research I found Cadillac and Mercedes cars used it for trim. (I rode in a Cadillac once)

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Edited by - Grizz on 12/30/2009 18:26:37

Grizz - Posted - 12/30/2009:  17:52:08

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ANYONE,
So what am I doing wrong here. I cant get my smiley faces until I edit. Then when I do edit, I cant insert them, they go to the end of the text. HELP

phil dean - Posted - 01/01/2010:  17:24:58

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I always have to place the cursor where I want to insert the emoticon. Phil

Grizz - Posted - 01/01/2010:  21:22:33

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Phil, I found out what I was doin' wrong. I was using the quick reply. Look Eureka!!!!! By the way, don't say anything but I'll PM you with my address so you can send that stunning reso to me. You do beautiful work guy, and I heard one on your website, just the sound I love. Take care and have a great New Year. Mike

bris48 - Posted - 01/02/2010:  21:10:43

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Erik, Erik, Erik,
You really need to get you a 6 inch square piece of Plexi-glass and mount it where your belly button is so you can see where the heck you are going!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
or better yet Don't be an anal retentive JERK........
The builders and "real" resoheads on this site basicly know what is going on....
We know what Phil meant
So please don't try to take over any Threads with your self righteous Bravo Sierra
Now Phil Keep doing the Great things you do with Wood and Glue and Your KNOWLEDGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And as Stringnut said;
Let's try to keep it friendly here

AND I believe
NUFF SAID

Bobby #1 RESOHEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

phil dean - Posted - 01/05/2010:  14:26:05

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Hi folks just thought I would let you know of the pics I posted in my photos of the Koa for this guitar. As soon as I can run it thru the Drum sander the flame will be more evident,but as you can see its real purty. Phil

Square Neck - Posted - 01/05/2010:  22:57:37

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Gotta love the Koa!! Looking super nice Phil, I think this one should be the next drawing..hint..hint..

No..just kidding, I already have a Koa,...no..that is why I want another

I want all the Koa in the world!!

I think Koa should be called "Super Mahogany" IMO..

Grizz - Posted - 01/06/2010:  09:14:13

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I WANT IT, I WANT IT, I WANT IT!!!!!!!!!!! Damn GAS is hittin me again. If it looks this good now, holy crap. Hmmmm, just thinking when I win the drawing, maybe that will help the GAS a little. Take care Phil
Mike

phil dean - Posted - 01/06/2010:  10:41:03

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Here is one I did from a similar set of Koa recently. Thanks for the help Square Neck

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Edited by - phil dean on 01/06/2010 12:30:55