jay rosenblatt luthier – Jay Rosenblatt Guitars

Guitar Notes for the New Year, LaLaLa

Posted on December 30, 2019January 2, 2020 by jayrose22

Hello, it has been a while. Happy holidays to all.

As you can see in the photo I have put some of my guitars on display in my shop. Some of these are completed guitars that I use at shows and and some are under construction waiting for new owners.

The past year was somewhat busy in the shop, I completed a few new instruments and there were lots of repairs and plenty to keep me busy.

Recently I had a story writer from our statewide magazine, New Jersey Monthly, come visit me along with a professional photographer. The photographer and I set up a few working images that I have yet to see and the story will be published in the March 2020 issue of NJ Monthly.

Jay Rosenblatt and some handbuilt guitars — Jay Rosenblatt in his shop with several of his handmade instruments 2019

In the photo;

(L-R) “Kasha Classical” with a reclaimed cedar soundboard and rosewood back and sides, “Big maple”, A Lutz Spruce top with maple back and sides and hand cut inlays just completed and strung up today, “Moonwood and Maple” under construction, a Moonwood Soundboard, 4A maple back and sides, maple laminate neck, In my hands a “7 String Baroque” This is an exact replica of a romantic era guitar, “Red Rose” (behind me) Redwood and rosewood PF model with mahogany neck (new, complete, sweet), “Domino” radially braced hybrid guitar made of Myrtle and alaskan spruce, “Apollo 17” “A-framed semi-arch-top with walnut back and sides, “Arches”, a guitar inspired by the Arches in Utah with a unique intersecting arch bracing system. (some of these instruments are featured in my past posts)

What else? Currently I am in the design process of an electric guitar model. That will be down the line but working on it.

In the New Year, April, 3-5, 2020, I will be exhibiting my acoustic guitars at the Artisan Guitar Show in Harrisburg, PA.

This is a three day event with concerts, musical performances, hand-built instruments and their makers, vintage instruments, workshops and classes.

Follow this link for info on the show. http://artisanguitarshow.com/.

I am happy to announce that I will have my favorite musical duo, “Frank and Hank,” Frank Sole and Henry Nerenberg, perform for me at the show on Sunday, April 5th., featuring my instruments.

Well Thats it for now. Looking for that special acoustic guitar? Drop me a line.

Thanks and Happy New Year to all,

Jay Rosenblatt

Reclaimed Spruce

Posted on July 22, 2019 by jayrose22

Whenever I can I like to use reclaimed or salvaged wood. Currently I am joining up a soundboard purchased years ago from Alaska Specialty Woods.

This set was reclaimed from a bridge that spanned Bear Creek River in Alaska in the 70’s. Its stringers were made from two 60” logs.

After 10 years of service the bridge was dropped to the forest floor and a new metal bridge installed. The logs were reclaimed around 2000. It was cut into sound boards that are stiff, with a beautiful loose grain and a naturally aged color that can’t be sanded out. I have used this before in a guitar called “Bridges”. This set exhibits a bit of bear claw and a warm amber rose color. Beautiful!

Jay Rosenblatt Guitars. Hand-built acoustic guitars for sale

Posted on October 19, 2016October 24, 2016 by jayrose22

Hello, This page highlights hand built instruments that are currently available for sale.

These are new instruments. For a more detailed description scroll to following page. If you are interested in purchasing one of these fine guitars please contact me at 973-445-0015.

Email; jayrose2@earthlink.net.

Prices quoted upon request.

Thank you,

Jay Rosenblatt

If you are interested in purchasing one of these fine guitars please contact me at 973-445-0015.

Guitars at the Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase 2016

Posted on October 3, 2016October 19, 2016 by jayrose22

On October 21, 22, and 23, 2016, The “Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase” will commence again in Woodstock, New York. The dates are October 21, 22, and 23, 2016. The event is held at The Bearsville Theater and Utopia Sounstage on Tinker Street.

This will be a three day exhibition of hand-built acoustic guitars and instruments exhibited by by their makers.

This show is always an amazing opportunity to see, hear and play some of the finest instruments on this planet. The show has exhibitors from around the globe. Daily and half hourly performances by some of the finest musicians playing these hand made instruments happen on the main stage. There are lectures workshops and demonstrations. I suggest that you make this a go-to event if you love guitars and can make the trip. Find out more at The Woodstock Invitational Website Page http://www.woodstockinvitational.com.

I am excited to be exhibiting there and am pleased to be included as an exhibitor with all the other fine builders. This year I will be in the main room rubbing shoulders and hob knobbing with other masters of this craft who’s work I admire greatly.

The instruments below have been built over the past year and will be on display; A Kasha Classical, an experimental guitar design of mine I call “The Arches”, A 7-string Baroque transitional guitar built to the exact measurements of a the original created over 200 years ago, and my PF model in Quilted maple with a Moonwood soundboard and Mahogany neck.

I hope to see you in Woodstock. This will be an excellent to own a Jay Rosenblatt Original guitar if that is your fancy. Please stop in to say hello.

Thank you,

Jay Rosenblatt

The "Arches Experimantal" Guitar by Jay Rosenblatt — The “Arches Experimantal” Guitar by Jay Rosenblatt

The sister Kasha Classical guitar project

Posted on July 20, 2016October 17, 2016 by jayrose22

In January, 2016 I bagan a project to build Two Kasha Classical “sister” Guitars. They are being built built with my friend Frank Sole, musician and student Luthier. This project was inspired by Frank. This instrument differs greatly in the bracing design of typical classical guitars and was developed by Dr. Michael Kasha in cooperation with luthier Richard Schneider. The instrument features a bracing design by Dr.Richard Kasha which is star patterned rather than ladder braced and the back braces are arched allowing the back to float independently and act more like a from that moves with the vibrations and air movement in the guitar ,rather that being fixed by rigid cross bracing. The soundboard is designed to increase the energy of the strings as they affect the soundboard and provide an increased bass response.

It began with a paper plan from Luthiers Mercantile, the construction of a Solera ( the building form) is based on a design by John Bogdonavitch, luthier. (see his book “Building the Concert Classical Guitar”) The set up on the solera allowed a 2 mm forward tilt in the neck and a ramp of 3 mm built up from the bridge location to the end of the guitar to create the proper string geometry. (now that one guitar is fully complete, that set-up worked perfectly. The strings are at the proper height and has excellent playability.

Both guitars are rosewood with rosewood sides, western red cedar tops, Spanish Cedar necks with Mahogany neck blocks. One instrument was constructed with cedar bracing and the other spruce. (these are the only two principal differences between theses instruments. The end port is constructed to allow access to the inside of the instrument for stringing as this guitar uses a through the soundboard string design which differs from traditional classical guitars where the strings on the bridge on the top of the soundboard.

The saddle design here is a three part configuration of American Walnut, Figured maple and bone. It has a bone nut and medium fret wire. The back “floating brace design” is constructed of maple and mahogany laminations.

Both instruments were hand finished with French polish. These instruments will be on display and for sale at the Woodstock Luthiers Invitational October 21, 22, & 23, 2016. Inquiries about pre-purchase can be discussed.

Kasha Classical Guitar by Jay Rosenblatt Luthier

News from Jay Rosenblatt Guitars workshop

Posted on September 23, 2015October 8, 2015 by jayrose22

Hello. welcome to the Jay Rosenblatt Guitar blog. My last post was mid-February. Now its the end of September 2015. Time flies.

Maple bound Ebony fingerboard with Ebony and Maple Geometric Rosette on a Jay Rosenblatt guitar in process

I currently am preparing to exhibit my guitars at the Woodstock Luthiers Invitational Showcase in Woodstock, New York, on October 23rd., 24th., and 25th., 2015. I will have a table there exhibiting my instruments and will also have my guitars played in performance by Frank Sole and Henry Nerenberg. Two excellent musicians who will perform onstage at 4:00 pm., Saturday, October 24th, 2105.

Frank and Henry will be performing at The Woodstock Luthiers Invitational on Jay Rosenblatt Guitars — Frank Sole and Henry Nerenberg will be performing at The Woodstock Luthiers Invitational playing Jay Rosenblatt Guitars Saturday, October 25th., 2015 @ 4pm.

The Woodstock Luthiers Showcase is a feast for the eyes and ears and displays the works of over 60 talented luthiers, makers and instrument builders. Friday is the day to see the instruments and marvel at the guitars on display. Saturday and Sunday feature full day performances by the best pickers and musicians performing on the handmade instruments being exhibited. A must attend event if you love guitars and guitar music.

My last blog post detailed construction of a Weissenborn Lap Steel guitar. This instrument has been completed and delivered to its new owner. Since that posting I submitted the photographs of it construction to Guitarmaker Magazine along with an article on how I built it. “Guitarmaker Magazine”is the publication of A.S.I.A., The Association of Stringes Instrument Artisans. The publisher, Alton Acker, reproduced the images and article as the featured story. The magazine can be purchased through the A.S.I.A. web site where you can also sign up for a membership which includes 4 yearly publications and information about seminars and luthier events and other services they provide to the guitar builder and entheusiast. http://asiartisans.org/content/.

Weissenborn Lap Steel Guitar handbuilt by Jay Rosenblatt

Weissenborn Guitar by Jay Rosenblatt featured in GuitarMaker Magazine.

Weissenborn guitar by Jay Rosenblatt building photographs — Weissenborn guitar by Jay Rosenblatt building photograph

The A.S.I.A symposium 2015 .

The Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans trade and lecture symposium, held bi-yearly was held this past June at East Stroudgberg University in East Stroudsberg, Pennsylvania. This years lectures by many top builders included topics on the business of the guitar business, repair techniques, building tips and tricks, jigs and fixtures, soundboard replacement, finishing techniques, voicing the instrument and historical presentations. The event also featured the vendor area where you can purchase woods and supplies. The evening held other lectures with social and musical gatherings. More info at http://asiartisans.org/content/

The A.S.I.A Symposium in East Stroudsberg, Pennsylvania

A previous post highlighted a Mahogany Venitian Cutaway guitar. on-the-guitar-building-workbench-2015. Since that post that instrument has also been completed. The finish was a hand rubbed French polish. I used a medium-dark amber on the back, sides and neck and a light blonde on the soundboard. The finish produced a wonderful sheen on the African Mahogany back and spruce top and enhanced the organic feel and look of it. This instrument will be exhibited for purchase at The Woodstock Luthiers Invitational.

hand built mahogany venetian cutaway acoustic guitar with Sitka Soundboard by Jay Rosenblatt — Mahogany venetian cutaway acoustic guitar with Sitka Soundboard by Jay Rosenblatt

Recently of the bench and completed is this Rosewood and Sitka PF model. The photos below show it just after it came out of the finish shop. This guitar features a beautiful set of reddish brown rosewood matched to an Alaskan Sitka soundboard. The neck is laminated from 40 year old mahogany with a maple center strip. It has an ebony fretboard bound in maple with triangle position markers and my geometric rosette in ebony and maple. The head plate is Cocobolo with a maple binding and the first guitar to have the Rosenblatt name inlaid into the headstock. The guitar has had a shellac tone coat and a lacquer finish applied. This instrument will be featured at The Woodstock Showcase and is for sale. Please inquire!

Jay Rosenblatt PF model steel string acoustic guitar in Rosewood and sitka

The new headstock design on a Jay Rosenblatt Guitar

The guitar that Jack Built. This summer I had a young guitar student take a class with me to learn guitar building. He preformed all the steps necessary with my guidance and constructed a beautiful Mahogany and Sitka guitar. Having never used woodworking tools before he did quite well and had the dexterity of a future woodworker. The guitar featured a mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard and a rosewood bridge. He also cut and installed a whale motif headstock inlay. The instrument was built over a month, two to three 5 hour classes per session. At this point the guitar is at the finisher getting a Notrocellulose finish. Should be a beauty that he will enjoy for many years to come.

The guitar that Jack built at Jay Rosenblatt Guitars

Other projects around the shop include two sister Kasha style Classical guitars. Working with Frank Sole, musician and builder to construct these instruments, we have completed all the building forms and have crafted and carved the neck, heel and headstock . The soundboard bracing is in progress. Ill update as it moves along.

A little experimentation. I have been playing with some experimental bracing patterns on a cutaway in the works. Inspired by the Arches in Utah I will assemble this in a manner where no two braces actually touch each other, yet pass through and over/under each other allowing more flexibility through the top. This will not be available currently on any model untill it is time tested and proves to be a worthy design. This is an experimental design.

Prototypical experimental bracing design by Jay Rosenblatt. All rights reserved!! — Experimental bracing design by Jay Rosenblatt. All rights reserved!!

Please look for my next post. I will be highlighting and describing the guitars I will exhibit and have for sale at The Woodstock Luthiers Invitational Showcase.

Thank you for reading.

Jay Rosenblatt

Building a Style 3 Weissenborn with Sitka soundboard by Jay Rosenblatt, Luthier

Posted on February 18, 2015March 21, 2015 by jayrose22

This week began a Weissenborn project. Based loosely on a style 3, this page I will highlight photographs of its construction. I will update it as I move along its completion. This is a special build with a delivery date of Mid April.

3/13/15 Completed Koa and Sitka Weissenborn Guitar by © Jay Rosenblatt 2015

About the woods: This was constructed with Koa back and sides and an Alaskan sitka soundboard. The fingerboard is Macassar Ebony and came from LMI. The headstock is Mahogany which came from a 3×3 billet from Hibdon Hardwoods. The bridge of Honduran rosewood was also from Hibdon. The binding is a traditional Rope design made from scraps of maple and mahogany. The head plate is Koa. The pearl rosette was from the Duke Of Pearl. Ebony bridge pins with Abalone inlays were used and the position markers are Abalone too.

The Koa back and sides came from Notable Woods in Lopez, Washington. These are age dried pieces of Koa with a nice tone and appear to be very stable. The Sitka soundboard is of salvaged wood from Alaska Specialty Woods, Craig Alaska. The story behind the soundboard is that it came from a bridge stringer that once spanned over Back Bear Creek. It was a 63″ diameter log that was aquired by the mill in 1998, about 2 years after the bridge was pulled to be replaced replaced with steel bridge. The wooden car bridge was installed when the road there was used for logging in 1984-85. Now that road is used for recreation and to get to a hydro electric generator were water falling off the mountain from black bear lake is run through a turbine. The build is based on a template from Waldon Instruments. I have modified my braces to suit my building style.

Weissenborn template from Waldron Music used for body and bracing dimensions — February 9th, 2015, Weissenborn template arrived from Waldron Music to be used for body and rough bracing dimensions.

The spruce top plates were jointed and clamped together — The Alaskan Sitka spruce top plates were jointed and joined together using clamps and weights to make a nice tight center line. Although those clamps look big I use very light pressure on them.

along

The template was traced to the top plates, cut out and sanded to thickness. — The template was traced to the top plates, cut out and sanded to thickness of about .115

An abalone rosette was installed with contrasting black fibre. This abalone came from the Duke of Pearl.

Abalone rosette installed and sound hole cut out

The loa back and sides arrived from Notable Woods — The Koa back and sides arrived from Notable Woods

The Koa back plates being joined in a similar fashion as the top plates

The bracing was cut, and installed using a clamp method

Tha back was patterened and thicknesses to about .095. The bracing for the back was cut and installed using go bars method.

The braces war carved, bridge plate installed and are ready to meet the instrument sides.

To aid in the assembly of the tow plates an open ended form was constructed. The headsotck which attaches to the top, back and sides can be held in place as it is clamped to the body. — To aid in the assembly of the two plates to the sides an open ended form was constructed. The headsotck which attaches to the top, back and sides of the instrument can be held in place as it is clamped to the body.

In preparation for the binding, traditional rope binding is made by laminating strips of maple and mahogany together. These will be slices diagonally into thin strips which will be installed as binding around the instrument. — In preparation for the binding, traditional rope binding is made by laminating (here) strips of maple and mahogany together. These will be sliced diagonally into thin strips which will be installed as binding around the instrument and around the fingerboard and headstock.

The side plates have been dimensions and brought to a thickness of about. .085. These will be hand bent on a bending iron.

The sides are bent and cooling in the form awaiting the tail and headstock assembly and kefing.

The headlock, which is actually the neck block too was fabricated from a solid piece of mahogany

Traditional Weissenborn Headstock template used for outline. Cut to shape on a bandsaw

The weisssenborn headstock is cut from one piece of Mahogany with a book matched set of Koa head plated attached. — The Weisssenborn headstock is cut from one piece of Mahogany with a book matched set of Koa head plated attached.

Kerfing being installed in the Weissenborn.

Notches for the back braces are cut and the back is checked for fit

A simple end graft is constructed from mahogany and chevron binding and fit into a slot cut out in the tailpiece. — A simple end graft is constructed from mahogany and rope binding and fit in a slot cut into the tailpiece.

Rope binding is made by slicing the laminate I made and gluing the strips to a piece of b/w fiber strip

The back of the Weissenborn has been attached to the sides © Jay Rosenblatt Guitars — The sides are returned to the holding form, checked for square and level. The back is then glued to the sides. © Jay Rosenblatt Guitars

The sides have been attached to the back and the sound board has been fitted and attached — The sides have been attached to the back

The Sitka Spruce soundboard has been fitted and attached to complete the main structural components of this Weissenborn Lap Steel guitar. © Jay Rosenblatt guitars

When I removed this guitar from the form I noticed something unique to the instrument. When I tapped on the center of the soundboard, sort of a thump with my thumb, I was able to hear the sound that produced come out not only from the sound hole but I also heard it way up in the headstock. The vibrations traveled straight up through the hollow neck and emitted at the top of the guitar.

I have a little music box mechanism that plays a simple tune very quietly when you crank the handle. Barely audible without something to amplify its sound, like a wooden music box. I place it where at the bridge position to test the guitars responsiveness to a very quiet sound, essentially making the guitar the music box. (try it one day) The sound is greatly amplified and comes through the sound hole. When I put the mechanism at the top of the neck the sound transversely traveled down and out the sound hole almost as loud as from the bridge position. I am certain that the energy from the nut will also travel through the guitar and add to the sound of this instrument. Perhaps thats is little secret behind the Weissenborn’s unique sound.

The Rope binding has been installed the top

Weissenborn Guitar with rope binding by Jay Rosenblatt — February 23, 2015 The rope binding on the soundboard side is complete.

I have begun the finishing the body in preparation for the fingerboard and bridge, This is getting a hand rubbed shellac finish (french polish}. The back and sides Amber, 2 lb cut, and the top, Med-Dark Blonde, 1 LB cut.

In this photo you can see the shimmer of the wood which is typical of KOA. This photo is also very close to the real color.

The fingerboard position markers are strips of maple inserted into the fret slots then sanded level

Rope binding and MOP dots are added to the fingerboard — Rope binding and Abalone dots are added to the fingerboard. After sanding this fingerboard is only about 3.5mm thick.

3/7/15 The fingerboard is glued in place and clamped.

Almost nearing completion here. Next the nut, saddle, bridge, tuning machines and stringing

The bridge made from Honduran Rosewood. Carved to be similar to the original design, attached with hide glue.

The nut slot cut and fitted with a bone nut. — The nut roughed in. This will be adjusted for size and slots cut for strings

The instrument is now complete and you can hear it here. http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-tzMqhN/ Pass Word “Weiss1”

The initial stringing sounds awesome. I used John Pearse Weissenborn strings, 80/20 bronze, 15 to 60. A final adjustments for string height and level across the tops will be performed, but as it is this Weissenborn has a rich tone, a beautiful natural reverb, good presence and response, and a lovely character.

Weissenborn Lap Steel Guitar handbuilt by Jay Rosenblatt

Thanks for looking. I hope you have enjoyed reading this as much as I have enjoyed building it!