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Finished #8...Lutz/ Cuban Mahogany SJ
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Author:  JJ Donohue [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 11:43 am ]
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This is the 2nd in the batch of three that I recently completed. Specs follow:

Top...Lutz Spruce...Shane
B&S...Cuban Mahogany...Brad Goodman
Bindings, Bridge, Headplate...Snakewood...Zootman
Rosette...Honduras Mahogany
Neck...Laminated Honduras Mahogany w/ 2 CF rods
FB...BRW and bound with Snakewood
Liners...Woolson/Fox 2 piece solid liners
Glues...HHG on everything but FB to neck (epoxy)
Tuners...Waverly
Finish...French polish body; Danish Oil neck

A few firsts that I incorporated in this batch are worth mentioning.
...Untucked lower X-brace legs
...Woolson/Fox neck tenon jig. It works as advertised BTW and made the neck fitting a breeze.
...Woolson/Fox solid liners added significant stiffness to the sides.

I named the guitar "Mario" as a tribute to Mario Proulx. During my self-imposed apprenticeship over the past 4 years, Mario was the most important influence on lessons learned and techniques established. Thanks, Mario!

Check out the pics:













This is my first mahogany guitar...I love the way it works as well as how it finishes. The sound is very bright and crisp, with a loud and sustaining voice. It still sounds a bit tight and hopefully the bass will open up as it matures. I plan to use a lot more plain mahogany...thanks Colin!

The third guitar in the batch is in lacquer finishing and is about 3-4 weeks from completion.

Thanks for looking.
Author:  RobE [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 11:54 am ]
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That snakewood is amazing. Excellent work.
Author:  Don Williams [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 12:02 pm ]
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Looks like a lot of work went into that. Looking good JJ.
Author:  paul harrell [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 12:07 pm ]
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Great wood, great work, beautiful guitar.

                  Peace, Paul
Author:  novab350 [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 12:08 pm ]
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Snakewood is one of my favorites, you made it look great! I really like the clean look that the vintage style tuners have too. Awsome guitar!


Nate 
Author:  LarryH [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 12:26 pm ]
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Snakewood, Waverlys...Ahhhh.... Nice job JJ.
Author:  Bruce Dickey [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 1:12 pm ]
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Absolutely first class guitar.   

Nice Work JJ.
Author:  Irwin R [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 1:14 pm ]
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Another Beaut JJ!!...Maybe I missed it..but what's the story on your headstock design...very nice.!!
Author:  Ray L [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 1:28 pm ]
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JJ,

Looks amazing. I recognize the neck from our meeting. Did you do anything else to it finish wise?

Very Nice. Can't wait to see it in person - or are you giving this one away too?

Ray
Author:  Anthony Z [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 2:05 pm ]
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JJ - gorgeous -- I love the shape of the OLF SJ.

The snakewood looks great with the mahogany -- very tastefully done.

So how does the OOO-12 and SJ compare soundwise?
Author:  Andy Zimmerman [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 2:42 pm ]
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An absolute beauty. Boy do you build fast!!!!
I have that same combo of wood set up for a 12 string SJ
Great work!!!!
Author:  Chris Cordle [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 2:50 pm ]
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Beautiful work JJ!

If you don't mind my asking, what is the significance of the triangle in
your headstock logo and label?
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 2:55 pm ]
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Irwin...Simple symbolism on the headstock inlay...the 3 dots represent my 3 sons.

Ray...this and the 000-12 are my own guitars...finally. The finish was tweaked a bit since you saw it at the meeting.

Anthony...The sounds are quite different. The SJ is a thumper and projects a bit more than the 000-12. Response seems to be quicker on the 000-12. The 000-12 seems warmer in character while the SJ seems brighter. You'll just have to see for yourself some day soon. I'll be leaving them with a professional musician for a few days. She's a fingerstylist and I hope to get some valuable player feedback.

The tonal qualities of the 2 are a step up from others I've built...lots of changes related to stiffness and lightening as well as the super-thin French Polish. I think the cumulative effect is definitely noticeable.
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 2:59 pm ]
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Andy...nobody builds faster than you and Hesh! I merely did 3 at a time over a 6 month period this time...but never again! I'm kinda burned out right now. Normally, I'm a 1 or 2 a year kinda guy.
Author:  peterm [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 3:01 pm ]
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great stuff.... love it!
Author:  Anthony Z [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 3:07 pm ]
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JJ, I look forward to playing them both...can hardly wait.

I would have expected the Zootman-OOO-12 to be brighter than the Mario-SJ...interesting. It'll be interesting to hear your follow-up report if things change in a couple of weeks as they open up. How long have they been strung up?

I forgot to ask above how the Mahogany SJ compares soundwise with your WFB SJ you finished in the fall?

So what is next to come off your bench and what do you have subsequently planned?
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 3:21 pm ]
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Holy cow...that's stunning.
JJ, what if I just sent you all my wood stash and let you build with it? You have put together some really impressive things of late.

Steve
Author:  John Elshaw [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 3:54 pm ]
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That's a great looking guitar JJ, Awesome! I really like your choice of wood and bindings. I'm gonna have to put that on my list as a "must" combo to try sometime. Let's hear some soundclips!

Cheers,

John
Author:  Dave Anderson [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 3:56 pm ]
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Yes indeed,Another beauty JJ! That Cuban mahogany looks great with the snakewood !I'm starting an SJ soon so I'll be asking you some questions.Is that snakewood binding that thick or is there a purfling on top? It's kind of hard to tell.
Just a Great SJ, JJ !
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 4:08 pm ]
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Anthony...I haven't really done any meaningful comparisons yet nor come to any conclusions...just initial impressions. They've only been strung up since Friday and are still moving under the tension. I plan to do more comprehensive evaluations over the next few weeks and will let you know as I formulate opinions. Having others do such evaluations is also important as well so I'm hoping to recruit interested and knowledgeable players. I now have a few different models and wood combos to compare and am excited about improving my listening skills.

What's up next?...right now, all I want to do is play them and hopefully play some golf real soon. I need a shop break. One thing I'm looking forward to doing is helping a local guy who wants to start building...I think that will be a good change and I'm excited about helping him get started.

Steve...your vote of confidence means more to me than you probably realize. Thanks partner!
Author:  James Orr [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 4:11 pm ]
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Absolutely beautiful work!
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 4:12 pm ]
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Dave...The top purfling is Snake-a-lam from the Zootman. I guess I should have done a pic to show it better.

John...I really need to find out how to get good digital clips. I'm interested in suggestions.
Author:  CarltonM [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 4:26 pm ]
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Snakes on a frame!!! I bet the sound will get bigger as it ages. Looks like a player!
Author:  Howard Klepper [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 4:32 pm ]
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Some classy work and nice details there, JJ.

I love Cuban mahogany. I haven't used it for a guitar, but it is a great turnery wood.
Author:  Kim [ Sun Mar 04, 2007 5:20 pm ]
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Fantastic JJ, fantastic wood combo, fantastic workmanship. Besides being testament to the high level of your skill and taste, I can see this guitar becoming two other things. Firstly I see it becoming like that comfortable old chair that just feels right and connot be parted with and then I see it as an heirloom to be treasured by your three boys and their children.

Well Done

Cheers

Kim
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