Bob Dammer: Guitar Maker

I began a love affair with music at the age of ten. I started by taking band lessons on the drums. After a few years… two things happened that changed my musical direction.
First I got really tired of playing waltz music on the bass drum, and then came Rock and Roll.
From the first time I heard Buddy Holly ,the Everly Brothers and later the Beatles, I knew I was going to play the guitar.

I got my first guitar; a Sears arch top, from my Uncle Ernie when I was thirteen.
I got a book on chords and learned from friends.

I have been playing since then and have gone through many guitars and influences from Led Zeppelin to Andres Segovia and everything in between. At age 52 I started classical guitar lessons.

Luthier Syndrome

I remember when I contracted the
Luthier syndrome.
It was while visiting
my brother-in-law, Keith Gilbertson
in K entucky.
He introduced me to a friend of his …. Bob Fistori.
Bob is a remarkable man.
A mandolin maker and violin repair professional.
I spent a few hours with him and the seed was planted.

When I returned to Minnesota I read several books on mandolin construction and took the plunge.
I bought some materials from a wood working store and was on my way.
I love playing this mandolin. It plays easily and it also takes me back to my first luthier experience.

Making my First 12 String Guitar

I next set out to make a twelve string electric. I was very into the sound of the Rickenbacker 12 string played by the likes of Roger McGuinn and George Harrison.
I wanted a 12 string with a wider neck and a body that fit me. I copied the body style from my brother Herb's 1955 Guild Aristocrat. I love the sound of the single humbucker.

Making a Violin

A few years ago my daughter Laura wanted to take violin lessons and asked me if I would build her a violin. Well a man has to know his limits.
I ended up buying a kit. It was a lesson in accuracy and patience. I still remember calling family members after putting strings on and tuning it. Over the phone I would say "listen to this" as I pulled the bow across the strings "sounds like a violin".

Guitars for Grandchildren

I recently gave away two of my guitars, one to my daughter Sarah's husband Mark.
and the other to my younger daughter Laura's husband, Brandon. Both are learning the guitar on a "Dammer".
I have already started working on plans for a small scale guitar for grandchildren.

Rickenbacker: Restored

The Rickenbacker was a true restoration project. This guitar was originally bought at B-Sharp music in 1968 for $35.00, by my good friend Pat Griffin. It was part of a "fire sale."
The Rick in pieces would fit in two grocery bags. The neck was broken in half, no hardware or electronics. I started on this by building a through on the body neck. I always try to incorporate something new in my next project.

It looked OK.. but over the years the glue that was affected by the heat of the fire, let loose and the instrument literally fell apart.
This turned better than I'd hoped. I put round wound strings on it and it has a sweet sound

Guitar, Mandolin, Violin Gallery

•I have made 8 guitars, 2 mandolins, 1 violin and 1 electric violin. I'm currently working on an acoustic 12th fret steel string.

Making A Guitar: The Process

To view some of the many steps Bob undertakes when crafting a guitar, click on the link.

http://picasaweb.google.com/kgilbertson27/BubingaTwinsProcess

Bubinga Twins

The current production I refer to as the "Bubinga Twins". Bubinga is a hardwood which is native to Africa. I was given a single board, about 12 1/2 inches wide 5 feet long and 3/4 inch thick for Christmas last year by my wife Kay, my two daughters Sarah and Laura and their husbands Mark and Brandon.

View the luthier process. Click the link: http://picasaweb.google.com/kgilbertson27/BubingaTwinsProcess

Bending any hard wood is tricky especially when it has a lot of grain figure to it. This wood is very hard and dense. I got through it with no fractures. A wood this hard should produce an instrument with a lot of volume or projection and a relatively bright sound ( we will have to wait and see)

Hopefully these two guitars, patterned after a pre war Martin* OOO. * C.F. Martin guitar company Nazareth PA.