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MF: What are the benefits/disadvantages of a
bolt-on neck? A radius top? Radius fingerboard?
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Froggy Bottom guitars feature scrimshaw on
the heel, just one of their "extras."
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Michael Millard: "We have always used a
straight mortise and tenon joint for neck attachment,
because it does an excellent job of holding the neck
where it belongs, and it's easy to disassemble and reset.
We switched from using tapered pins to secure the joint
to using bolts and barrel nuts because the bolts have
a wider range of adjustability, and can apply more holding
pressure overall. There is no inherent disadvantage
to use of bolted on necks."
"As to top radius, a slight radius in the top
can yield incredible strength with very light bracing,
with the advantage of structural integrity and extraordinary
responsiveness.
And fingerboard radius is a matter of musical style
and ergonomics. We use a twenty inch radius on our boards
as a default. Some people prefer more, and some less,
and there's basically no one right answer."
MF: What strings do you recommend for your
guitars? What guage? Why?
Michael Millard: "String manufacture,
and material, and gauge, are entirely personal choices.
Well, almost entirely. It is very important not to use
strings that are too heavy for the instrument's structure.
Our smaller guitars are intended for use with light
gauge strings, unless we know ahead of time that the
player is going to use mediums and consequently needs
a slightly stiffer top. We use, and love, GHS strings.
Every guitar leaves our shop with GHS Bright Bronze
strings on it. Nevertheless, what string will appeal
most to a player is personal, and reflects individual
tonal preference."
MF: Do you have an over-all philosophy of building
that defines your decisions and building choices?
Michael Millard : "Guitars are all about
music. If it works well, sounds great, and is a beauty
to behold, then terrific. If it looks beautiful but
doesn't play well or sound great, then it's not a worthwhile
guitar. And beauty is in the ear of the beholder."
MF: What plans do you have for the future?
Michael Millard : "Our long term plan
is to continue to build a relatively small number of
guitars that really please us. It's important that we
build few enough that we be able to really focus on
and get to know each one. As soon as they start to be
generic, the fun goes away. It's kind of like music
making. It's important to play the right notes, but
even more important to really mean it and play with
feeling."
Note: The opinions expressed by Michael Millard are
not necessarily those of Music Folk and should not imply
Music Folk's endorsement of one product over another.
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