Andy Chase Cundiff is checking out a 1978 Gibson J-50 after dressing the frets and lowering the action. 
A gig worthy instrument. 
Musician approved.
Get it now at Falk Guitars and Mandolins.

NEW Hand made Mountain Dulcimer

NEW Hand made Mountain Dulcimer

• Western Cedar top
• Walnut back and sides
• Bone nut 
• Maple bridge
• Grover Tuners

Retails $450.00 Falk Guitars price $365.00
Great Christmas Present

Dave Falk
Falk Guitars & Mandolins
816-678-FALK (3255)
Amarillo Location

Bill Whitfield playing a Falk Guitar

Binding Chickadee 1

We are now binding the body for Chickadee as the client calls it. One photo shows the first channel, the other dual channels. Some hand finishing was required in the concave areas of the guitars between the bouts and cutaway. It is now ready to accept the binding.

 

Checking break angle

Here the neck is in place (for position only) to check the break angle. This the angle the string breaks across the bridge. This gives me an idea how much downward pressure there is on the top. The sweet spot is in dialed in on this guitar "Chickadee" as the commissioner calls it. This is going to be a cool guitar.

Guitarlington 2014 Great Show

The show went very well. Saw old friends and made new friends. Looking forward to next year with bigger and better plans.

Headstock for Chickadee

The headstock is taking shape, gold grover keystone tuners, mop inlay on the name, cocobola vereer, brass nut and a temp truss rod cover. final design is pending.

Fitting the neck to the body

The mortise is cut for the tenon on the neck. Fitting the neck is the next item on the list. The neck is placed for fitting, sanding and filing are the tools used in this procedure.

Hand cut the mortise for the Chickadee Guitar

Note the fancy jig (Joking) Hand cut the mortise for the Chickadee Guitar.
It timed it and the process took 30 min. Once there was an image of Jimmie D'Aquisto do this. What no router, no template hmm may as well try it.

Falk Guitars and Mandolins

Taking orders for the FG -L5  

For the month of October, 2014 place an order for the FG - L5 and pay only $5000.00

     Deposit required with order

Select woods - all solid  Maple back, rims and neck, Spruce tops

Hand carved

Multiply bindings 

Split block MOP inlay on ebony fingerboards

Bone nut

25.5" scale

Choice of Acoustic, floating pickup, or K&K internal transducer (Preamps and DIs available if desired)

Nitrocellulose Finish or French Polish

Falk Guitars & Mandolins 

POB 7732 

Amarillo, Tx 79114

816-678-FALK (3255)

falkguitars@gmail.com

falkguitars/blogspot.com

Investment grade instruments available

Completed Solid Mahogany Bass. The client approval is pending but she is ready to go.
Very much like a Fender Jazz Bass but it is not. Fine piece of work, Great pickups and great neck.
Sought after for its tone.

Solid Mahogany Bass in for repair- The job remove the fret buzz.

 Tape indicates where the work is needed. In this case frets 12-20

Numbers tell me the fret height to gave an idea how much material to remove

Work is completed and the frets are taped off ready for polishing. The Stainless Steel guard shown is great to protect the fingerboard while I dress the frets.

For the players and collectors out there in or heading to the Arlington, Texas area.
Come see me at the Guitarlington Guitar show  October 18,19 at the the Arlington Convention Center.
Happy answer questions for you regarding archtop guitars and mandolins. Get your hands on items for sale.

Falk Guitars & Mandolins 

POB 7732 

Amarillo, Tx 79114

816-678-FALK (3255)

falkguitars@gmail.com

falkguitars/blogspot.com

Investment grade instruments available

The top with the pickup installed clamped to the back and rim. 

The client Andy provided a K & K pick up for his new guitar named Chickadee. The bridge is in  position show relationship of it to the pickups.  The pickups are attached to the top and then the endpin in position to the end block. The top can be attached to the back and rim.

Falk Guitars & Mandolins September Special and Comedy

I tried to catch some fog but I mist.
So it goes humor is good for our well being.
But now it's time for mandolin players to take advantage of September's special - FG F-5 for $5k.
Contact me  816-678-FALK (3255)

Falk Guitars and Mandolins 
also works on banjos. Guy I met through Andy Chase Cundiff, Rod Heaster has real nice Deering Eagle ll and wanted the head replaced on it. Everyone needs to know that banjo repair is available from now on. Tell your friends.

Rod went from acoustic to an electric banjo head. Very nice setup. Contact me if you would like the same done for you. 

Determine Center of Neck

It's important to know where the center of the neck is when joining neck to there body. Here is a technique that works well. Plumb like an Egyptian.

Neck Construction

Attaching the fingerboard extension to the neck requires a jig. Presented are some views with neck in the jig and the attached extension. Also a view of the dove tail tendon. Then fingerboard is placed on the neck for a glimpse of the neck.

Instrument Repair Available at Falk Guitars & Mandolins

Repairs and modifications are available for anyone;s current instrument. 
Action too high, bring it in
Want to turn that acoustic into an electric, bring it in
Headstock broken, bring it in. 
Years of experience refretting, refinishing, and general repair is available at 
Falk Guitars and Mandolins

1942 Epiphnne Zenith Neck Reset
Joint after neck removed

Inlays are Readied

Inlays are readied for the the fingerboard and headstock. Here's a preview of them.

3.14159 Pi Tailpiece

Here's a new item- the Pi tail piece. Its walnut and maple. Fixed with no hinge, hole for end button or input jack.  Pi will work on thin 335 bodies or fat 3inch bodies. This one is a prototype but contact me if you need one for your guitar & I'll personally make it.
Falk Guitars & Mandolins 816-678-FALK (3255)

Top and Back with Rim attached to back

The top has the"F" holes cut and the braces trimmed. The top is partially voiced, additional adjustments to be made after top is secured to there back. It is compelling to glue them together now but it would mean more work later when setting up the electronics for the pickups. The plan is to have a K & K installed and a floating humbucker on the neck. Good things will come by waiting. 

Out of the Clamps and "F" holes inserted

Top with "f" holes & back with rim
Back with Rim attached

Drama II - Gluing Back to Rims

Attaching the back to rims. The rim is underneath. A lot of pressure and weight is in the first image. 

Bessy clamps are overkill for the amount of pressure required. Deep throated clamps were required.

The glue oozed out just right indicating good coverage on both rim and back surfaces

Parting shot of the stage where the drama takes place.  This is a good bench just my size. It has a clamping edge the lighting hides there saw dust on the floor. There's lots. Looking forward to releasing the clamps and tuning the back. More to come.

One Piece Archtop Guitar Bridge

The Amati Cello style guitar bridge is a nice example of the one piece bridge. There are some theories regarding acoustic advantages of traditional  2 piece bridge however  many guitars are designed with one piece bridges and sound good. 

Because the bridge indicates cello style bridge it will is not expected to behave like a cello bridge dude to bracing and lack of tone peg and use of a plectrum vs. a bow. Still it is good looking to my eye.

Best Beginner Acoustic Guitars

Someone wrote an article listing Alvarez, Art and  Lutherie, Bristol, Cordoba, Epiphone, Fender, Seagull, Taylor, Washburn, And Yamaha as there best acoustic guitars for beginners. Do you agree?
All range $200 - $450.

Archtop with O Hole

This is a good looking guitar.