All Blog Posts (220)

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http://hcw3.com/wordpress/?p=164

...from the root to the fruit ...blues/funk meets hip hop!

Blues Again! - French Blues Magazine cd review:

http://www.bluesagain.com/p_selection/selection%200413.html

Chicago Examiner cd review :…

http://hcw3.com/wordpress/?p=145

http://hcw3.com/wordpress/?p=125

http://hcw3.com/wordpress/?p=112

Review and video here

http://hcw3.com/wordpress/?p=105

A perspective on string tension and gauges and why buying a pre-packaged set isn't the right thing. http://hcw3.com/wordpress/?p=91

link to my blog on the topic http://hcw3.com/wordpress/?p=80

When I cobbled together my first oil can banjo, I didn't think too much about the bridge. I used an inexpensive 3 for 10 bucks 3-footed ebay bridge and it sounded fine. My second one sounded really nice but didn't have nearly the volume. Dena Lee suggested I try a lighter bridge and suggested cedar for nylon strings. I made one up yesterday - 2 instead of 3 feet, and cedar instead of whatever hardwood the commercial bridge was. I was really surprised at how big a difference it made. The…

took my 3-string cbg to the club i play at and did "Statesboro Blues" on it. No one had ever seen a cigar box guitar. Not that my build is anything special but they were really amazed Then after they all commented on the sound that came out of it. A pieso pick-up but was played thru a pre-amp. Am pleased with 1st outing.

Playing is such a blessing but building is such a gift.  My father came over after WWII from Italy.  He escaped a concentration camp and fought in the underground for our side. Proud of em.  He was such a great self taught carpenter.  He saw things in his mind and just made them.  If he needed a tool he made it.  Then there was me. 

  His boy, i guess, could play guitar but could hammer a nail about as good as a drunk trying to pee straight in a bar urinal.  Wet Pants Syndrome!  You…

Just made a new form for my Strumdrop stick dulcimers. I'm making them a little larger now. Anyway, been a while since I've contributed anything to the site. So I thought I'd share a build-a-long blog.

My plans for this build are:

Old growth Redwood soundboard from George Beckwith.

Black Walnut back and neck.

Birdseye rock maple sides, fingerboard and headstock overlay.

6-string using mandolin tailpiece

Custom Randy Bretz piezo rod bridge/saddle

13 inch…

In response to Ted Crocker's suggestion, I am creating this build blog for a special instrument for Harrison Withers. This will be my fifth lapsteel out of fifty-seven total builds and I look forward to the experience, the challenges, and ultimately, to see how Harrison likes it.

This lapsteel started out as 3 pieces of birdseye maple and 3 slats of rosewood...which I laminated. Also, I had cut…

Just wondering if any of you fellow members had some videos of the best way to fit box an neck together, thanks so much for sharing in advance.

This is a commission instrument for John Campbell.  It's name is Newgrange, inspired by the prehistoric monument in County Meath, Ireland.  

Stay tuned...

Here's a pic of the progress so far - a Las Cabrillas box, and some maple…

http://www.care2.com/causes/an-unlikely-orchestra-turns-trash-into-musical-treasure.html

These people are making a whole orchestra out of handmade instruments. I was so overjoyed when I found out about this!! Makes me wonder if we here in America can do something like this since all our schools don't seem to have enough money for our kids to have instruments…