ARRGGHH Mooh! I just don't have enough "parallel lives" to afford all those lovely guitars! And yes, the Linda Manzer is to DIE for - but 8 strings? I have quite the challenge already trying to be accurate with 6!
Clinton I'm a strummer and a flat-picker too when it comes to folk/rock, and on a classical guitar that style does sound like doo-doo. Betcha it would be fun to have our guitars "meet" - they're family, after all! And it sounds like we have much the same style too. Gotta make it down to hear you - c'mon, summer!
My fingerpicking technique needs improvement - I think that's the only way to get out of the 'rut' I've been in for quite a while. LH showed me a couple different styles yesterday - Travis picking etc - and I'm working on those.
I also pulled up some old threads re fingerpicking, and was delighted to read Don Firth's comment that classical technique is really the most "efficient" for all styles of guitar playing! So I haven't been too far off then - I just need practice!
I'd like to try his exercise -- "tune your guitar to D,A,D,F#,A,D (the open chord means you only have to think 'right hand') and try this roll. T6, T4, T6, I3, T4, M2. It's a great right hand technique for playing with a "bounce". The first two notes are quarter notes, and the last four are eighth notes. It should sound like Bum, Bum, bada bada. Just play it slowly and quietly until you're not even thinking about it...."
At the risk of sounding really guitar-dumb (ahem!!), what does "T6, I3, M2" mean?? I'm guessing it's the strings, ie. T6=low E, I3=G, M2=B?? Gonna search the threads again - I was pretty tired last night - but if any of you wonderful souls would like to make it easy by just saying "yeah" or "nay" to my guess above, that would be just peachy!
And if anyone is looking for a new custom built mandolin, here's another up-and-coming Canadian luthier worthy of your attention, my old friend and neighbour Peter Cox. He moved a couple weeks ago, and is in the process of building a workshop large enough to accomodate guitar-building again, but for now he's sticking with mandolins and other smaller instruments. His newest website is still "in the works", and the address/phone number at the link I gave you is dated now that he's moved, so please PM me if you'd like his new number. He makes LOVELY instruments, fine quality and tone, that "yummy" exotic wood and from what I can see excellent craftsmanship!