April 4 2006

Jerry
- just wanted to give you a quick update - about to glue the bridge on. I'll give you a better update by tomorrow night. Planning to string her up in the morning.

And later...

Jerry,
There'll be more pictures to come this weekend.I strung her up, and she sounds great! Already a wonderful purity to the sound, kind of velvety even. A definite winner. I used D'Addarios, which while they're the worst sounding strings on my instruments they're so neutral and so consistent that they "tell" me the most. I intend to restring her with some corums or carbons after she settles in overnight. A guitar opens up immensely in the first 24 hours. Corums or carbons tend to sound the best on my guitars, which is not surprising. The Hannabach Goldins are almost the same density as gut (closest there is), which is ideal - we disccused this at a Richard Brune masterclass, and he stated that they are the best strings to use on a Torres, and I've also had great luck with carbons. She is already sounding great, can't wait to hear what the right strings sound like! I may just restring her tomorrow with the set you had sent to me and I'll order another set. Issa has plenty of sustain, is very responsive, and has great separation. This is after only a few hours of tension. once again you'll get a fuller report tomorrow.
best wishes,
Joshua