A first ever in the history of the world--right here in California!
By The Horse
@TheHorse (238390)
Walnut Creek, California
August 11, 2016 10:41pm CST
I realized tonight that something incredible was happening right in my house. Collings Guitars had sent me about 40 raw sound holes from their elite guitar manufacturing plant in Austin Texas. I send them a couple of completed pairs of coasters earlier today as thanks.
Tonight, I decided to start a couple more pairs, as I enjoy making coasters from raw guitar sound holes, and had finished all of my progress notes (work) for the day. As I searched through the box of raw sound holes, I found two that were of the same size, and were NOT spruce, as are the tops of most guitars. The were (I think) cedar.
Cedar yields a warmer tone than spruce when used for guitar tops, and cedar-topped guitars are relatively rare. Visually, cedar is darker than spruce. I decided to make my FIRST EVER pair of sound hole coasters from cedar tops. As I oiled them up, I wondered how much they'd be worth in 100 years. If they're they're the first pair of cedar sound hole coaster made by The Horse, could they be worth $100,000 in 100 years? Or even $1,000,000?
My next decision: Should I use my usual blue felt bottoms on these? Or should I make the ever more rare by using black or grey? I invite your thoughts. Have you ever stopped to think about how you may be living a moment that's never been lived before in the history of the world?
17 people like this
17 responses
@TheHorse (238390)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Aug 16
But what about the contrast factor? I like using light screens on my speakers because of the contrast. They yield that Danish Modern look I like some much. But I worry that light bottoms on coasters would get dirty. I should try it anyway.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238390)
• Walnut Creek, California
13 Aug 16
@LadyDuck But my blue bottom coasters look good. I use very dark blue because it looks liked of "regal." The felt isn't really seen when the coasters are in use, though. I know ebony well! The fingerboards of my guitars are dark African ebony.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
12 Aug 16
You never know, those things may be worth a fortune one day! I don't think I've seen the blue felt bottoms you usually use, though. I've never thought about living a historical moment, but I sure would like that to happen someday 
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
12 Aug 16
@TheHorse That's a nice blue! But I'm sure black and grey would look great too 
And hey, a couple of thousands is still a good deal.
And hey, a couple of thousands is still a good deal. 1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238390)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Aug 16
@cahaya1983 I hope they become classics in my lifetime. Right now, I usually give them away to family and musician friends. I've sold a few pairs, but only for $10 or $20. Little do the owners know they'll be rich one day if they keep them in decent shape.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
13 Aug 16
cedar needs to be redish though, :-D
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
13 Aug 16
@TheHorse you'd have to match the felt to that shade of red, grey might work
@TheHorse (238390)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Aug 16
@just4him Heh, I'm kind of having fun with "delusions of adequacy." I'm pretending I'll be known as the "great coaster artist" after I'm gone, and that my coasters will be revered as rare collectables. I think I sold the few pairs I've sold for between $10 and $20. People might pay more if they were marketed right, but I don't have the time to think about that right now (unless you have a plan lined up!).
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7599)
• Canada
12 Aug 16
Clear cedar is expensive compared to spruce. Quickest way to tell if it's cedar is smell it. Cedar has a distinctive smell to it. Not all spruce is the same either. Black spruce has a more prominent grain and I don't recall ever seeing a guitar top with that. I like the black spruce when I turn it on the lathe. Hope your coaster fame spreads far and wide.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7599)
• Canada
12 Aug 16
@TheHorse Black spruce is mostly for building material. Big lumber company here grows it.
@epiffanie (11337)
• Australia
12 Aug 16
Hmn, that would be interesting to be living in a moment that's never lived before... Reminds of the movie Back to the Future ..
1 person likes this
Of COURSE, your coasters will be worth zillions in years to come!
@TheHorse (238390)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Aug 16
I don't have a bunch of guitars. I just have the sound holes, sent to me for free by Collings guitars. My main guitar is a Collings OM-1, which has a Sitka spruce top. I use it all the time. I make coasters out of the sound holes and usually give them away to musician friends.
1 person likes this
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
3 Oct 16
That is cool! Do you have to buy them or just request them?
1 person likes this
I have guitar too, let see how much it work for me 
@Tampa_girl7 (54744)
• United States
12 Aug 16
Whatever color you choose they will be lovely.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
12 Aug 16
You are confusing me, all my moments are new and never have been lived before... To answer your question, go for black and it will be worth a billion...too bad you won't be around to see that happen.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43685)
• Denver, Colorado
12 Aug 16
Are those cedar in the photo? Then black!
1 person likes this
