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Solo forums => George Harrison => Topic started by: Xose on June 14, 2011, 03:11:24 PM

Title: The "sister" of Harrison/Voormann's Ramírez
Post by: Xose on June 14, 2011, 03:11:24 PM
This guitar has surfaced recently in Spain. It has the same features as Harrison/Voormann's Ramírez save the rosette.

(http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/82/cimg4052.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/233/cimg4052.jpg/)

This guitar is the only one, so far known, that includes the characteristics of Harrison/Voormann's Ramírez (=the tuning gear is not original, as it was replaced some years ago. Also, the top was wrongly varnished some time ago...)

Xosé
Title: Re: The "sister" of Harrison/Voormann's Ramírez
Post by: Xose on August 19, 2011, 11:51:18 AM
I was told that this photo is in Carol Bedford, Waiting for the Beatles: An Apple Scruff's Story, Worcestershire, Blanford, 1984:

(http://beatlephotoblog.com/photos/2010/11/1147.jpg)

I don't know if there is any caption for the photo in that book, though...

Best!! ;)

Xosé
Title: Re: The "sister" of Harrison/Voormann's Ramírez
Post by: Xose on March 25, 2013, 12:42:29 PM
Eleven fan-strutting:

(http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/2161/11varetas.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/217/11varetas.jpg/)

Central strut is wider that the others:

(http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/1649/varetacentral.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/802/varetacentral.jpg/)

Two rectangular reinforcements at both sides of the soundhole:

(http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/5190/refuerzosboca.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/709/refuerzosboca.jpg/)

The thickness of the top is 3mm at this point. This -together with the big "transparence" of the top- means that the top is very thin...

Peones, zoque, culata and tapajuntas (=sorry, but I don't know the English names for these parts) on this guitar:
 
(http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/379/27062011075.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/4/27062011075.jpg/)
 
(http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/7249/27062011076.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/42/27062011076.jpg/)

(http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/7531/27062011081.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/825/27062011081.jpg/)

(http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/4679/27062011082.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/228/27062011082.jpg/)

(http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/454/27062011083.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/828/27062011083.jpg/)

The radius for the domed top of this guitar is 2932,69mm. Measurements for the top are:

- Upper bout width: 270mm

- Waist width: 240mm

- Lower bout width: 375mm

- Top length: 505

So, we have a very thin and very arched top, together with eleven fan struts and several reinforcements on the body sides, on a "big" body.

What does this mean?? According to the traditional Spanish guitar craftmanship, these features are put together looking for a "big sounding" instrument...

Xosé
Title: Re: The "sister" of Harrison/Voormann's Ramírez
Post by: Hello Goodbye on March 25, 2013, 03:29:07 PM
Peones, zoque, culata and tapajuntas (=sorry, but I don't know the English names for these parts) on this guitar:

Ribbing, struts, neck and tail blocks.
Title: Re: The "sister" of Harrison/Voormann's Ramírez
Post by: Xose on March 25, 2013, 03:35:13 PM
Thank you, HG!! ;)

Ribbing, struts, neck and tail blocks.

I think "struts" are the "varetas", whereas "zoque" is the "[inner-part-of-the] heel" and "bottom bars" are the "tapajuntas"...

Best!! ;)

Xosé
Title: Re: The "sister" of Harrison/Voormann's Ramírez
Post by: Hello Goodbye on March 25, 2013, 04:22:26 PM
I was naming the parts in the order you pictured them, Xosé.

The "fan struts" can also be referred to as "bracing."
Title: Re: The "sister" of Harrison/Voormann's Ramírez
Post by: Xose on March 25, 2013, 04:25:06 PM
I was naming the parts in the order you pictured them, Xosé.

The "fan struts" can also be referred to as "bracing."

Ah... Ok. Thank you!! ;)

Xosé
Title: Re: The "sister" of Harrison/Voormann's Ramírez
Post by: Hello Goodbye on March 25, 2013, 05:00:46 PM
You can see where typical dreadnought cross-bracing would make the top more resistant to cracking...


(http://thecraftsmanspath.com/TCP_blog/wp-content/uploads/2008_04_06/Completed_Front_Braces.JPG)


In this case, the brace struts are scalloped.


Title: Re: The "sister" of Harrison/Voormann's Ramírez
Post by: Xose on March 25, 2013, 05:58:44 PM
Correct...

The dreadnought bracing makes the top much more resistant, and the typical Spanish fan-strut bracing is intended for a much thinner top, as it's the case with Spanish guitar tops, both flamenco and classical. What does this mean?? This means that tops in Spanish guitar making are much more "vibrant", i.e., diafragmatic style vibration...

Best!! ;)

Xosé