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As promised, pics of the first build
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=11801		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  LaurieW [ Thu Apr 26, 2007 11:54 am ]
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Hi - here is my new grand auditorium based on a Fender GA-43SCE that I have. 


Specs: 25.5 " scale, 5" depth at the tailblock, 4" depth at heel, AA white spruce top, black walnut back&sides&neck&rosette, maple binding with b/w/b purfling, macassar ebony bridge/finderboard/headplate/heel cap, schaller M6a tuners w/ ebony buttons. 


The APM forum members were very keen and asked about the binding around the neck joint.  This was a compensation I added for too much carving of the joint trying to get it to fit correctly.  I like the look and it saved me from re-doing the whole neck!


A little more work than that crib board I made in 1988, but I am quite pleased with the result and look forward to number 2.


Laurie
Author:  KenH [ Thu Apr 26, 2007 12:09 pm ]
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Nice looking guitar!


Keep up the good work


Do you find that the black walnut neck is heavier?
Author:  KiwiCraig [ Thu Apr 26, 2007 12:20 pm ]
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Hey Laurie !
               Another guy doing a cutaway on their first ! Very cool guitar mate , and a fantastic effort.

A tad more tricky than your 1988 crib board huh ?

You might want to radius your saddle to the fretboard radius . Probably one of those things you have yet to finish.

Congrats Laurie. I'll bet your completley hooked now , like the rest of us poor sods

Author:  Michael Lloyd [ Thu Apr 26, 2007 12:26 pm ]
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First build and a cutaway at that! Nicely done. Bet ya you can't put it down.
Author:  LaurieW [ Thu Apr 26, 2007 12:32 pm ]
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[QUOTE=Hodges_Guitars]

Do you find that the black walnut neck is heavier?


[/QUOTE]


Hodges - it is a bit neck heavy, but since I sit most of the time, I don't mind it.  I also made it a bit thicker than my store guitars, so that adds extra weight too. 


Did you notice the clear pickguard?


 
Author:  LaurieW [ Thu Apr 26, 2007 12:52 pm ]
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Thanks guys...


Kiwi: Good eye - I am still tinkering with the set-up and plan to shape the nut to the 16" radius.  I think I will thin the neck as well (a bolt on with oil finish, so no big deal).


Hooked?  I bought 18 b&s sets since last year!  They will probably last me 10-20 years and I still want cocobolo, ancient kauri and peruvian walnut.  Somebody stop me before I buy again.....


Mlloyd:  The truth is, I don't play my other guitars (6 acoustics)! I'm not sure if I'll keep them all...just collecting dust at the moment.  They all seem to sound "flat" to me, rather they are missing some sort of "fullness" compared to the handbuilt one that I can't explain. Maybe I did something right....


Laurie


 
Author:  old man [ Thu Apr 26, 2007 1:05 pm ]
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Very, very nice, Laurie. I love walnut.

Ron
Author:  Greg [ Thu Apr 26, 2007 1:05 pm ]
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You're hooked man! I feel the market price for fine wood going up!
Author:  Dave Anderson [ Thu Apr 26, 2007 2:17 pm ]
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Fine work Laurie ! Nice cutaway and I like your walnut neck.
VERY good 1st guitar
Author:  CarltonM [ Thu Apr 26, 2007 2:24 pm ]
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I'll have to agree with the others. Very nice job!
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Thu Apr 26, 2007 2:34 pm ]
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Super! I love walnut, too...and I especially love to see a walnut neck on a walnut body.
Great choices, well done.

Steve
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Thu Apr 26, 2007 2:40 pm ]
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Welcome to the OLF Laurie.  That is a good looking guitar.
Author:  Chris Cordle [ Fri Apr 27, 2007 12:37 am ]
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Nice work Laurie and welcome to the OLF!

I'm amazed you went for the cutaway on your first build.....
I'm still too hesitant to give it a whirl.
With the added depth that guitar must be a real boomer.
Author:  LuthierSupplier [ Fri Apr 27, 2007 2:02 am ]
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Laurie,
Nice work, and an amazing first effort. I'm with Chris on this, I'm still scared about cutaways! Congrats, and welcome to the most addictive hobby on the planet. Hope it serves you well many years to come. Welcome to the OLF!
Tracy
Author:  Bill Greene [ Fri Apr 27, 2007 2:30 am ]
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Laurie, that's beautiful. You clearly have worked hard, and have real talent.

B
Author:  gozierdt [ Fri Apr 27, 2007 2:38 am ]
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Laurie,

A really beautiful job. I always loved walnut "BL" (Before Luthrie), when all I did was build furniture. I also like the choice of all walnut, and the contrast with the binding. What kind of bending equipment did you use for the cutout? An iron, or a form? Either way, a great job!!
Author:  JBreault [ Fri Apr 27, 2007 2:46 am ]
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Great job Laurie! Especially for a first. That is incredibly impressive.
Author:  Bobc [ Fri Apr 27, 2007 2:50 am ]
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Beautiful Guitar Laurie. I'm also a big fan of walnut.
I have a question for you. Since Laurie can be either gender would you mind telling us yours before on of us puts our foot in our collective mouths.
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Fri Apr 27, 2007 2:58 am ]
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[QUOTE=Bobc] before on of us puts our foot in our collective mouths. [/QUOTE]


I now have a whole new vision of this group.

Author:  Todd Rose [ Fri Apr 27, 2007 5:28 am ]
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It's really lovely, Laurie. I think your binding on the neck heel looks great.

Congratulations, and welcome to the OLF!
Author:  LaurieW [ Fri Apr 27, 2007 8:40 am ]
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[QUOTE=Bobc]Beautiful Guitar Laurie. I'm also a big fan of walnut.
I have a question for you. Since Laurie can be either gender would you mind telling us yours before on of us puts our foot in our collective mouths. [/QUOTE]


Bob - glad you asked....it happens a lot...if there weren't a band at home already called this, I would have used "Laurie the Guy".    BTW - thanks for the nice ar. osage orange and the curly anigre the other week - really nice stuff!


I appreciate the kind words by all about the build....


The sides were first bent on a homemade side bender, which didn't have enough muscle to bend the cutaway and used 200W light bulbs for heat.  I didn't know spring steel existed then and used the thinnest sheet metal I could find.  It was way too thick, so I bought a bending iron and did it by hand.  After seeing Mayes side bending DVD, I think I'll upgrade to a real side bender with blankets at some point in the future.  


The body depth really does make it a "boomer" - nice and loud which I like too!


Laurie (the guy who specializes in exotic hampster shavings)
Author:  Mike Collins [ Fri Apr 27, 2007 10:14 am ]
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That guitar looks great!
How's it sound?

I like the heel binding!
It will be copied and called the
Laurie binding!!!!!
Nice touch for a 1st guitar!


Mike coliins
Author:  Mike Collins [ Fri Apr 27, 2007 10:14 am ]
Post subject: 
That guitar looks great!
How's it sound?

I like the heel binding!
It will be copied and called the
Laurie binding!!!!!
Nice touch for a 1st guitar!


Mike Collins
Author:  KenH [ Fri Apr 27, 2007 10:31 am ]
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By the way, I did like the heel binding on the neck also.. it adds a "classy" look to the guitar.  Heck, I might even try that myself one day.


I didnt notice the clear pickguard until you pointed it out either. It is almost invisible, which I like even more than the black or tortise shell ones. The fact that it can be removed without causing any damage to the guitar is a plus also. I have ordered a couple of sheets of this stuff from a seller on e-bay and will be able to try it out for myself soon. Thanks for the tip!
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