Dilemma04
and finally the finishing touch: the Dilemma logo laser-engraved in a stainless steel trussrod cover!Also note the compensated nut which contributes to great intonation.
Welcome to the Acoustic Guitar Community.
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Rob van Leuven
- Male
- Eindhoven
- Netherlands
- Blog Posts
- Discussions
- Events
- Groups (1)
- Photos (60)
- Photo Albums (3)
- Videos
Music
Rob van Leuven's Page
Latest Activity
Rob van Leuven replied to Brent McElroy's discussion Let's see some pictures! in the group Guitar Makers"Here are some pics of my parlour shaped irish bouzouki; great fun to play! For sound sample see my website www.robvanleuven.com"
Rob van Leuven replied to Janice Hamilton's discussion Guitar tops from PINE? in the group Guitar Makers"Hi Janice,
I have used quarter sawn Oregin Pine for Irish bouzouki tops with fine results! Main reason for using spruce rather than pine is weight/stiffness ratio I think. See attached picture for two of my pinetop zouks.
Rob"
Rob van Leuven replied to Luis Motta da Silva's discussion Making a Parlor Guitar (using the remains of an old instrument). in the group Guitar Makers"Hi Luis,
I think you're doing a terrific job! I'm a real parlour guitar addict myself and have built several; starting up a new series of six right now and the previous series can be seen and heard on my site:…"
Tamas Lukasczik (Sunday) left a comment for Rob van Leuven"Hi Rob,
thanks for adding me!
I enjoyed to listen to your tracks.
Greetings from Hungary,
Sunday"
Rob van Leuven left a comment for Luis Motta da Silva"Hi Luis,
a lot of differences indeed, but the one similarity is that we are deeply involved in the art of building and playing these beautiful and interesting instruments and enjoying their beautiful sound... Shortly I will finish my first…"
Luis Motta da Silva left a comment for Rob van Leuven"Well, Rob,
After watching these videos of yours, one thing we may be sure of: the only similarty between an Iris bouzouki and a Portuguese gutar is the soundbox shape...
Nevertheless, I did enjoy the songs (mostly whisky in the jar), and I did like…"
Profile Information
- Which one of the following describes your involvement in music? (Check all that apply)
- Amateur or recreational musician, Guitar maker, Guitar-related website
- How many years have you been playing guitar?
- More than 30 years
- Which of these instruments do you own or play?
- Flattop steel-string acoustic guitar, Nylon-string guitar, Mandolin
- The make and model of your guitar(s) and/or other instruments and gear.
- seagull + art&lutherie dreadnoughts
homemade steel string (parlor) guitar, nylon string guitar, mandoline and irish bouzouki
- What is your website address?
- http://www.robvanleuven.com
- What type of music do you like to play?
- irish
- Do you subscribe to or regularly read Acoustic Guitar?
- I subscribe
Rob van Leuven's Photos
Rob van Leuven's Videos
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The Town I Loved So Well
Added by Rob van Leuven
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Whiskey in the Jar 2
Added by Rob van Leuven
Comment Wall (5 comments)
- At 12:03pm on January 25, 2011, Tamas Lukasczik (Sunday) said…
- Hi Rob,
thanks for adding me!
I enjoyed to listen to your tracks.
Greetings from Hungary,
Sunday
- At 3:21pm on January 6, 2011, Luis Motta da Silva said…
Well, Rob,
After watching these videos of yours, one thing we may be sure of: the only similarty between an Iris bouzouki and a Portuguese gutar is the soundbox shape...
Nevertheless, I did enjoy the songs (mostly whisky in the jar), and I did like the sound of your instrument. I also think you three make a very nice sound
By this time, you probably have seen the videos and heard the audio tracks I posted. It's a world of difference between my music and yours, but what would happen to green if everybody fancied yellow?
- At 5:08pm on January 4, 2011, Luis Motta da Silva said…
Hi, Rob,
To be honest, I don't know how a bouzouki is tuned.
The tuning of Portuguese guitar is absolutely demential:
1st pair: bb
2nd pair: aa
3rd pair: ee
4th pair: bB
5th pair: aA
6th pair: dD
meaning that the 3 first pairs are tuned in unison and the 3 last pairs are tuned in octaves.
I also don't know much about the origins of bouzoukis. Have they evolved from mandolins? And how the hell was that migration from Greece to Ireland?
Portuguese guitars too have an interesting story: they seem to descend from old European citterns, but there was an inportant influence of the 18th century " English Gittars".
One of the particular featutures of the Portuguese guitars is the top strutting: they have three transverse bars, the first near the neck aproximately under the 15th fret, the other two right before and right after the bridge. But there is also a longitudinal bar uniting the third transverse bar to the tailblock. This longitudinal bar is put in place under pressure to counteract the string tension on the bridge..
I'd be delighted to discuss any aspect of instrument making with you...
- At 2:21pm on January 4, 2011, Luis Motta da Silva said…
Hi, Rob,
Just accepted your friendship offer, thank you! Did you have a look at my page recently? I posted a picture and some soundtracks of my trio... hope you enjoy those...
- At 2:29pm on December 3, 2010, Luis Motta da Silva said…
- Hi, Rob!
Saw your comment at guitar makers group discussion on "Terroir...". Then I noticed your instrument which, at first glance, looked a lot like mine. In fact, it is rather different, but, after all, I can see that we both have a passion for instrument making. So, you're invited to my page, have a look on Portuguese guitars, see how they look, hear how they sound and... maybe we have a lot to talk about! I'm curious about that thick nut in your bouzouki's bridge. Is it a way to get better intonation, or does it conceal a pick-up?
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