Thought I'd share my latest project w/you folks -- a six-string Dreadnought-sized acoustic guitar of my own "square shoulder" pattern. I play mostly bluegrass and country/western with a bit of fingerstyle so this guitar tries to strike a balance of both via a few modifications to the bracing (scalloped Martin "forward" X style) and soundhole (smaller diameter). Basically, I build what I like to play.
Woods are Sitka Spruce for the soundboard, spruce front/back braces, Claro Walnut sides & back, Mahogany neck, Ebony fretboard & bridge. Bindings & rosette of Ebony & Holly.
At this stage, the "box" is closed (meaning the back is attached) and the work remaining is to 1) install bindings, 2) profile the fretboard & install frets, 3) glue down the neck & carve it to shape 4) finish w/nitro lacquer, 5) install nut& saddle/bridge, setup & play. I typically keep decoration to a minimum and let the wood speak for itself (yes, pun intended), so no mother-of-pearl inlay or abalone purfling.
I'll post more pics and maybe a sound sample when I get 'er strung up and singing. Maybe mid Oct, if I can get enough time away from work & chores. Speaking of time, if I were completely honest about it, I'd say I'm about 120 hours (basically 10 long days) into it with probably 50hrs more to go.
I'm eager to hear how this one turns out. With no finish other than a wipe of shellac to protect the spruce, I can feel the soundboard & back vibrate when I speak, and a tap on the front or back makes my other guitars "ring" sympathetically, which leads me to believe it will be easy and responsive. It has a nice bright taptone.
Tip 'o the hat to Tarhead [this is the spruce you brought back from California] and to & Bobby G for his "pony express" run back here to Chapel Hill. Thanks, guys!!
There's a bunch more pics in my gallery if you're interested.
--
Jon
Woods are Sitka Spruce for the soundboard, spruce front/back braces, Claro Walnut sides & back, Mahogany neck, Ebony fretboard & bridge. Bindings & rosette of Ebony & Holly.
At this stage, the "box" is closed (meaning the back is attached) and the work remaining is to 1) install bindings, 2) profile the fretboard & install frets, 3) glue down the neck & carve it to shape 4) finish w/nitro lacquer, 5) install nut& saddle/bridge, setup & play. I typically keep decoration to a minimum and let the wood speak for itself (yes, pun intended), so no mother-of-pearl inlay or abalone purfling.
I'll post more pics and maybe a sound sample when I get 'er strung up and singing. Maybe mid Oct, if I can get enough time away from work & chores. Speaking of time, if I were completely honest about it, I'd say I'm about 120 hours (basically 10 long days) into it with probably 50hrs more to go.
I'm eager to hear how this one turns out. With no finish other than a wipe of shellac to protect the spruce, I can feel the soundboard & back vibrate when I speak, and a tap on the front or back makes my other guitars "ring" sympathetically, which leads me to believe it will be easy and responsive. It has a nice bright taptone.
Tip 'o the hat to Tarhead [this is the spruce you brought back from California] and to & Bobby G for his "pony express" run back here to Chapel Hill. Thanks, guys!!
There's a bunch more pics in my gallery if you're interested.
--
Jon
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