Something entirely new!
By The Horse
@TheHorse (220275)
Walnut Creek, California
June 25, 2017 1:58pm CST
As some of you know, I like to make things out of wood. One of the things I like to make is coasters. I make them from the sound holes that have been cut out of acoustic guitars. Until last weekend, Collings, Martin, and Larrivee had been willing to send me raw sound holes, which I turned into pretty coasters. One of you has a pair!
This past weekend, at the Grass Valley Bluegrass Festival, I stopped by the Santa Cruz guitar booth and played a couple of dreadnought guitars. Santa Cruz is an elite guitar manufacturer that models their designs mostly after Martin guitars. I have owned two Santa Cruz guitars in my time. I asked the woman at the booth if she would sent me some sound hole cut outs, so I could make some coasters. She said she would.
They arrived yesterday, so now I have a new project on my hands. Note that one was cut and then re-cut, as if they were going to make a regular dreadnought, and then decided to make a Tony Rice Model, which has a larger sound hole. This will mean extra work for me, but I'll enjoy the challenge. Do you like a good challenge now and then? Wish me luck!
21 people like this
22 responses
@Tina30219 (82066)
• Onaway, Michigan
25 Jun 17
Nice coasters have you thought of making them and selling them? Extra money just an idea.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (220275)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Jun 17
@Tina30219 Yes, I make decent "extra" money refinishing vintage loudspeakers. But maybe I'll sell some coasters on Etsy just for the heck of it.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (220275)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Jun 17
@dgobucks226 I often use dark blue for the bottoms (felt). But I can do black or grey as well (or whatever the heck you want if you're the President, except for Trump).
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35744)
•
26 Jun 17
@TheHorse That is really cool! Great colors especially the blue one
I'm always using coasters, glad you enjoy yourself making them
I'm always using coasters, glad you enjoy yourself making them
@Mike197602 (15512)
• United Kingdom
25 Jun 17
are sound holes the round bits of wood that are cut out?
Why do they have labels on?
or do they send round labels for you to stick on the off cuts?
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (220275)
• Walnut Creek, California
25 Jun 17
Yes, they are the pieces of wood that are cut out to make sound holes in acoustic guitars. Some companies (Martin Guitars, especially) stamp theirs and use them as promotional materials. Others just stack them up somewhere and figure out how to get rid of them. Collings Guitars, of Austin Texas (my gigging and recording guitar is a Collings), has sent me something like 60 sound holes with no logos on them. If you want to hear what a Collings OM-1 (mahogany) sounds like, check this link. It's me doing a Townes Van Zandt American alt-country classic called Pancho and Lefty. Leave a frigging positive comment if you like it!
4 people like this
@Mike197602 (15512)
• United Kingdom
25 Jun 17
@TheHorse Get the sound holes from famous guitars and sell them as coasters on ebay...some would buy them...I wouldn't as I just put my can down wherever is most comfortable.
I'll look at the frigging link
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (220275)
• Walnut Creek, California
25 Jun 17
@TheInvisibleMan I've sold maybe five pairs. I usually give my coasters to friends who play guitar. Sort of a house warming present.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160978)
• United States
26 Jun 17
It has been forever long since I have done any wood working. I love the beauty and magic of it. I do not know if I like a good challenge anymore or not. I love creative things to do though.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (168334)
• Boise, Idaho
25 Jun 17
Sounds unusual and interesting. Good luck!
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (168334)
• Boise, Idaho
25 Jun 17
@TheHorse ....You've said this before too and they always do. Hehe
@TheHorse (220275)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Jun 17
Yes, I wonder if they changed their mind about the size of the hole as they were going. Or if something was just set wrong. I could actually measure both and "test my hypothesis." I think the Tony Rice model has a slightly larger sound hole than their regular D (dreadnought) models.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
26 Jun 17
What a great new opportunity for you to play around with!
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (117146)
• Anniston, Alabama
26 Jun 17
I absolutely love a good challenge. Show us the finished products, I do think I remember you showing some coasters before.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (3247)
•
25 Jun 17
I'm a little confused as to why the company logo would be on a part that they were just gonna throw out. It looks really good, though!
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (220275)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Jun 17
Some guitar companies use their sound hole cut outs as promo materials. Martin gives out stamped disks if you tour their factory. I'm not sure about Collings (which is what I play during gigs and recording sessions). They have been very generous about sending me disks. Santa Cruz Guitars (another elite manufacturer of guitars) has never sent me disks before.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (220275)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Jun 17
@AliCanary It really does.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (3247)
•
26 Jun 17
@TheHorse - It pays to network in person, doesn't it!
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
25 Jun 17
Those should be pretty cool with the label. Hope to see the end result.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
25 Jun 17
@TheHorse - Tough decision. Of course, they can always send more, which you can make for your friend.
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
26 Jun 17
Wishing you luck...always...If they are the standard size you don't resize them much..Is it?
And it's a guitar coaster...The lettering remains?
1 person likes this
@CookieMonster46 (13454)
• United States
26 Jun 17
That is pretty neat, nice job... I do like a good challenge,lately I haven't had any.
@thislittlepennyearns (62930)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
1 Jul 17
Do you sell these online? I'd love a set!
@thislittlepennyearns (62930)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
1 Jul 17
Do you sell these online? I'd love a set!
