Bonjour à tous !

Ce nouveau sujet pour vous présenter mon nouveau projet.
Pour ceux qui suivent un peu le profil "tête de livre" de M. Francis, vous avez remarqué que dans ses projets il avait la réalisation de style 4 datant de la période moitié 1920 (comme celle très flammé de M. Ben Harper ou celle de M. Yablonka). Les modèles qu'il réalise habituellement sont des répliques de weissenborn de la fin des années 1920. Il s'est avéré qu'environ au même moment je l'ai contacté pour des infos sur la réalisation d'une réplique de cette fameuse style 4 que possède Ben Harper. Le timing était donc parfait, et la réalisation du "prototype" de cette nouvelle série va donc commencer !
Pour l'instant Tony contacte son fournisseur de koa pour trouver des sets Master Grade. Le résultats sera "bling-bling" !
Je suis vraiment impatient de partager cette aventure avec Tony et avec vous par l'intermédiaire de ce topic.

Bonne soirée à tous, et à bientôt pour de nouvelles infos concernant ce magnifique projet !

Pierre

Edit : deux photos de modèle de cette période:
Celle de Ben harper :
Celle de M. Yablonka :

Super ton projet !! C'est vrai qu'elles sont magnifiques et le bois est vraiment très très beau. Je me rappelle l'avoir contacté pour une éventuelle commande et je lui avais demandé si il était possible d'avoir ce type de koa sur une style 1 mais il préférait garder ce type de bois pour les commandes spéciales, comme la tienne donc !
C'est pas donné une style 4 avec des bois comme ça, c'est facilement le prix d'une style 1 originale en fait voir plus mais si tu en as l'occasion et l'envie, fais le. Elle sera originale aussi quelque part (point de vue de la commande).

Julien

Salut tous le monde !

Un petit message pour vous montrer le bloc de Koa dans lequel va être découpé le set qui servira à ce projet.




Voilà, à bientôt pour la suite !

Salut à tous !

Les dernières news du projet. Il y a du retard dans la livraison du Koa chez Tony Francis, à cause de l'éruption du volcan au Chili.
Donc on attend !

Salut everyone,

Since I started my tenure as a guitar maker, I have always been deeply focused on the later models produced by the Weissenborn company. This relentless pursuit of detail is what you see as my premier models reproduced in exceptionally fine detail from the Ca.1927 - 1930 era. But that is not to discount the earlier models, which are phenomenal instruments in their own right. Through my repair work and connection to the high end round-neck market, the classic Ca.1925 models had for a long time been on my mind, and when Pierre came forward with the request, it was a true honor to bring back the Super Deluxe in classic mid 1920s style.

Pierre asked if I could take pictures of the process, and in particular some of the details I don't usually show such as the peghead detail. As always, feel free if you have any questions.


<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Q-Ff0JReXPDnEBaJAG7GTA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Rmxi1ha_2Jg/TqZTyIHNS-I/AAAAAAAAA40/nzEmO3qNfF4/s800/DSC06622.JPG" height="573" width="800" /></a>

Here you can see the paper patterns I begin with. These were taken direct from the vintage instrument, and they take a little bit of work to turn into working patterns and molds. The mid 1920s models are not just aesthetically different, but wholly and completely a different instrument really. Different shape, vault, bracing and graduation, layout and spacing details.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bco2eM8RbFhMNi3r04ZMZw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lT0HMXr4bIQ/TqZTzpiCaSI/AAAAAAAAA44/g4ksfTHsUMk/s800/DSC08272.JPG" height="800" width="600" /></a>

Master template is made.


For those with an eye for detail, you will notice the Rope Marquetry details on the earlier models is also different. It is thinner, and uses lighter colored "mystery" rosewood. I specially produced a limited batch for this model and also as repair stock.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/IL5FUuSAS12OPhTMCVgfYQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wneOVFPNHL8/TqZT6zAI-zI/AAAAAAAAA5I/V6DVZ0VSSgg/s800/DSC06978.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

Working with this is like a White Stripes video!

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RyweF7a2EBPP2mZvgF51eg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6c93tH_tEgc/TqZT8OrJo9I/AAAAAAAAA5M/7GIYVX-cEb0/s800/DSC06996.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

Cut into strips.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tULDLxtFR0VczCkVDQ0eiQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pUMT_Ng6haA/TqZT_wLak5I/AAAAAAAAA5U/OtU5AofexaA/s800/DSC07286.JPG" height="800" width="600" /></a>

The rough sawn Koa graded and ready to joint. Pierre had very specific ideas about what he wanted in terms of look, and in collaboration with Steve my Koa guy, we were able to match that as close as is possible for two different Koa trees from two different eras.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/utaczrqN74Ca06AgcbtRMQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-66MGAmPybMk/TqZUB-yz2NI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/rtvBL0Yqx8k/s800/DSC07289.JPG" height="800" width="600" /></a>


More to follow.

Construction begins.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ynLbZbA2jkt5tKeVTNG04A?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-g9gQmFjdlP8/TqZUDnh1avI/AAAAAAAAA5c/H0clZbI5w6w/s800/DSC08208.JPG" height="800" width="600" /></a>


<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hnmu-nx3006RJ14rs0wAQg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-czr9eKeDyfk/TqZUX6yriPI/AAAAAAAAA6U/wh96Qf9rkvc/s800/DSC08592.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

Special "band saw" finish.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AF-Fb_GqzWcQXJ3NvukiVA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4TJueEE_hAo/TqZUY8nSmqI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/0bWZvDuxBRA/s800/DSC08571.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

Hand bent rims. These are master grade curl, and exceptionally challenging to bend by hand for this kind of fit.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/n23L5pOxzrKFOQ-Ln6rxcw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r2ml1ylOBS8/TqZUanDKqGI/AAAAAAAAA6c/3pVahXTLcDU/s800/DSC08573.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ROxpNYF-F966vAaXID4pIA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9Y7JkWzj1DA/TqZUb3ZS28I/AAAAAAAAA6g/m2P3BpiClp0/s800/DSC08584.JPG" height="800" width="600" /></a>

Ready for tail inlay.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/E1BTX87cVTlFQiKeOgBzmQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WBr1r4pJepg/TqZUdrAFr1I/AAAAAAAAA6k/PtUiSxnNOjw/s800/DSC08637.JPG" height="800" width="600" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/A36H-CEyf4tq0R0RDqnSwA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wCAuRpv6MRw/TqZUfVrPbdI/AAAAAAAAA6o/0gDKPVgPGqc/s800/DSC08668.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

Completed rims.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cQRECHdbkkaH_yYTH0V4lw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--6UV0x-V_3g/TqZUhcuPtnI/AAAAAAAAA6s/CEY85Z2Zcvc/s800/DSC08381.JPG" height="800" width="600" /></a>

Here is the rosette with the special marquetry in the genuine size, ready for scraping and level sanding.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5NWsOdsFuyuTh7tMZTTjEQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-d7dFaxEZ6Jw/TqZUjE5fsTI/AAAAAAAAA6w/LmG6lLsZG4I/s800/DSC08686.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

Bracing stencil. Weissenborn used one master stencil for all his models, and on most all vintage Weissenborns you can see the original stencil marks where no bracing exists.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/62onZ03Pgj_xoh9ex6m9mA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RANY70Pe1Qg/TqZUlFznQ0I/AAAAAAAAA60/Xt09GAtuqws/s800/DSC08605.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

Mid 1920s spec bracing pattern under heat lamps. Although this style and era looks quite overbraced, it was actually quite fragile with many vintage instruments needing top heat treatment to remain optimally playable.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WxUnF2VBy3-OzDrblG3q-A?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fPoC1QoLSDg/TqZUmiarrvI/AAAAAAAAA64/JUjtg1-g8kU/s800/DSC08616.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

Here is a closer look. You can see the morticed or tucked bracing, which is of course a pull from the vintage Martin school of thought. In collaboration with as strong an arch humidity will allow, this is what allows me to reproduce this classic design in all its fundamental glory.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-za9h_Zugpj9_aGwM6H0sA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-e_m6Mvojykw/TqZUpNxlvJI/AAAAAAAAA68/IQCkn2di3r4/s800/DSC08623.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7F7Smin1SnxfgGpR68d79A?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EvHt9XQWGyQ/TqZUqbAHb9I/AAAAAAAAA7A/ntaw954bOKI/s800/DSC08632.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wN5xNpBUG8xrrDIlKSqSYw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6GS8581AIbw/TqZUsfUcMkI/AAAAAAAAA7E/cb-Va5GpU24/s800/DSC08720.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

Carved top.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/V4UzmQwpq8_clqvEYh6uHw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sOy7XvRSM9c/TqZUu8x0FNI/AAAAAAAAA7M/UPGawZgBFEE/s800/DSC08773.JPG" height="236" width="800" /></a>

Rim vault.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8DWsHXob4GQ7skuxOLd22Q?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mCEBhnUASFw/TqZUwrn6JaI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/Rw6k-GMPfYU/s800/DSC08690.JPG" height="800" width="600" /></a>

Back plate ready for bracing.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LR7hze9_knoMi_wufkIZ4A?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HZyD-CEEHLk/TqZUxqP2UiI/AAAAAAAAA7U/3CHXP1ZSlRY/s800/DSC08691.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

Holly brand strips.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NRvw7ejiXx6fb-30Vu-amA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7Vb1f7nIeYw/TqZUy25ll_I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/AHmu23nymTc/s800/DSC08694.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>


<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/eLB0qJo07VNO2IXEMURJ2g?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_bi0IBIC8ss/TqZU0llfC6I/AAAAAAAAA7c/Yc9eax4hfEU/s800/DSC08711.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>


<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6PexAHWP8XDQhr7A0-90Ow?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0wzZckdvGGU/TqZU5rV4aUI/AAAAAAAAA7k/DeI5r87lYoE/s800/DSC08763.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8YYYIJ8-voF8bnnaW0muYQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KB-gZ6T09J0/TqZU7bTndnI/AAAAAAAAA7o/pYRTu2cz2IE/s800/DSC08784.JPG" height="800" width="600" /></a>


<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ydPGH5RgW3t_zt_tbeYSPg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_3MaDLBgSuw/TqZU92eS3lI/AAAAAAAAA7w/oQab7XZPvCA/s800/DSC08830.JPG" height="800" width="600" /></a>

That is the body work done. Next will be the level sanding and rope binding - more in the coming weeks. But for now I am doing the polishing and setup on a killer batch of Style 1's. Stay tuned.

Merci, as always, France.

Tony Francis

Thank you so much for these beautiful pictures and great work !

Yes, Many thanks for these explanations and all those pictures...
It seems to be so easy to build a weissenborn!!!
(Is it so easy? )

Great pictures thank you !!
Tonny, the top is flat or curved like guitars ? ( with curved brace )

Ok Francis, merci .
But how do you controls the arch ? Perhaps on this picture, the work table is dug as a solera that is used to give the arch classical guitars ?
I noticed on a top or on a back completely flat creates a natural dome before gluing to the Sides ..
Your back have a arch ?
Yes, again pics
(sorry for my English... )

Superbe... et les photos sont vraiment bien prises avec une lumière qui met le travail en valeur... Bravo