This months meeting began on a rainy Saturday with general LINT business discussions about the website and membership renewals for this month.

The website will have to evolve into a member’s site and a public information site. Those interested should join and participate to reap the benefits of LINT membership.

It is time for all members to submit their 2004 dues. This is reminder notice to current members.

The “Dreadnautilus” Project

For those of you who don't know, Fred Carlson has agreed to allow LINT to reproduce and market his famous "Dreadnautilus" under license. Fred currently has a significant back order list for this instrument. This is a great opportunity for us to build up a real treasury for our organization so that we can offer more programs for our membership at a lower per individual cost.

Bo Walker and Bob Harris covered the current status of this club project. Chris Jenkins and John Timblin were unable to attend but make up the remainder of the development team. Draft blueprints are ready for the breakout of the making individual parts.

The final instrument will be assembled at a later date by any members wishing to participate. It is hoped that more members regardless of their experience level will contribute to the effort.

Show & Tell

New member Will Livingston came to show his new Martin rosewood jumbo kit project. It was coming along nicely and is now at the neck fitting segment. He was open to comments for this task since it is his first one....nice job Will.

Mark Sands brought his rosewood dreadnaught with 3 layer shell rosette (in process). The green abalone binding and layered design of the sound hole was similar to a Baroque guitar or lute rosette. When this design is incorporated into his guitar it should be a real eye catcher.

Bob Harris and Bo Walker were at Austin Hardwood in Dallas recently and spotted a nicely striped or “fiddle back” wood called Aniegre. It caught their attention and they dug into a pallet of wood to pull it out for inspection. Wow was it pretty! Well it was bought, resawed and sanded into a nice set for a future project. I’m sure they  will write it up later. Aniegre comes from Africa and is a medium textured light wood similar to soft maple or cypress.

Lewis Bauer showed his violin which was a very fine piece of work. He built it along the Herron-Allen guidelines and did a wonderful job. It is made from nicely flamed maple and straight grained spruce. It was finished with a flexible oil varnish. After seeing his workmanship it was clear we all have some room for improvement! Contrary to the rumors, Lewis is not really moving to Cremona.....

Tech Session

We unveiled the Holstein/Walker low cost side bender or “cheap-o-bender” as it’s been called. There was a total cost under $25 for the heater assembly and the mold and aluminum rod assembly costs approximately $20.  Bo Walker made a 4 page set of   plans along with the parts list (partial plan seen below) of all components available at local Lowes or Home Depot stores. LINT members may get the complete plans for a $5 donation to the LINT collection box (contact Chris Jenkins). Just send it with your 2004 dues this month and a S.A.S.E. It will be mailed out to you ASAP!

<click here to go to an article on this project by Bo Walker>