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No.3 Update pics (dial-up friendly)
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Author:  Alain Desforges [ Fri Aug 17, 2007 4:01 pm ]
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Okay, since I haven't posted in such a long time, here are some update shots of no.3...

Sitka.







Now, the sad part is that I wasn't vigilant enough on the pore filling (I wasn't happy with some of the pores showing) and since these pictures were taken, she was stripped back to the wood and I've started over again... (back and sides)

On this one, I wanted a headstock logo. So I drew this up and Paul Bordeaux cut them up for me! (This picture was taken just after inlaying, prior to pore filling and finishing) It's a stylized A or D, depending on the angle you look at it... Luckily for me, those are my initials! Ha!



Hope you enjoyed!

Cheers!


Author:  Dave Anderson [ Fri Aug 17, 2007 5:07 pm ]
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Hey Alain! Haven't seen you here in awhile.Sorry about your finish problem but you will get it fixed I know.I did the same thing on my first finish!I managed to fill all the pores with a couple more coats.Not too bad. Cool Logo too! I like how it can be an A or a D !
Author:  Chansen [ Fri Aug 17, 2007 5:42 pm ]
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Looks like some good miter work at the cutaway... nice one!
Author:  Blain [ Fri Aug 17, 2007 7:00 pm ]
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Very nice Alain!

And Wow, what a reflection in that top!!

Looks Fantastic!!!!!
Author:  Alain Desforges [ Fri Aug 17, 2007 10:23 pm ]
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Hey guys, thanks!

Dave, this was/is my first attempt at nitro! I love the stuff! I used Mohawk's and I couldn't say enough great things about it! I was thinking that nitro is a good 'pore filler' so I skimped out on the epoxy, giving her just one round... Big mistake! Nitro might fill in minor scratches and whatnot, but it's no substitute for proper pore-filling! Live and learn... In was really too bad, because the finish came out a lot better than I had hoped for...

Christian, I'm at work now but I do have much better photos of the mittering. This was the one spot where I wanted to improve and I'm very happy with the way things turned out!

Blain, thanks! Gotta love that nitro! Like coach Tony (Karol) would say, it's true that all that sanding does pay off!!!
Author:  robertD [ Fri Aug 17, 2007 10:50 pm ]
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Alain, That guitar is outstanding! A real nice example of guitar craftsmanship!

Couple of questions, if I may?

What is the rosette made of? Looks like maple.

Do you build in a solid block at the tip of the cutaway?

And, do you always wear blue gloves when you take pictures?

Robert
Author:  Alain Desforges [ Fri Aug 17, 2007 11:26 pm ]
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Robert! Thanks!

You are absolutely right. The rosette is curly maple. I did put in a solid piece of mahogany at the tip. I joined the tip with HHG and then I fashioned a triangular mahogany block to fit the point. I used the sides themselves as the sanding caul. The resulting piece had an air-tight fit! I just pressed that into place and I used HHG and voila! That tip is probably the strongest and most resilient part of the whole guitar... I have a tonne of pics. If you're interested, I'll post them tonight.

As for the blue gloves... I'm so 'retentive' that I can't stand putting dirty hand grease on my guitars! It's a real bummer trying to finger-pick with those gloves, let me tell ya!
Author:  davidmor [ Fri Aug 17, 2007 11:33 pm ]
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Wow!  I don't know if it is the lighting in the photo, or how the colors show on my monitor but that third picture (from the back in the stand) is stunning to my eye.  I absolutely love the platinum color of the neck and bindings.  Again, it could be how my monitor is displaying the color but it is a very unusual color which I really like a lot. 

Beautiful guitar!

Oh, sometimes my kids get the camera all sticky and dirty so I wear nitrate gloves when I take pictures too!

Author:  robertD [ Fri Aug 17, 2007 11:40 pm ]
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Alan, you don’t have to ask me twice! Absolutely! Post some pics! I’m sure, I’m not the only one who’d appreciate them too!

Hummm! So, you’re one those “rubber finger covered finger pick’in players” Say that three times real fast!
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Sat Aug 18, 2007 4:14 am ]
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It sure looks good to me.  That is going to be outstanding when finished. The cutaway is great.  Nice wood selections.
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Sat Aug 18, 2007 4:39 am ]
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Looks great down here in Texas, Alain.
Maybe you should have gone with that finish?
I only say that because a customer just left, who brought with him a guitar built by Michael Wentzell.
Beautiful EIR/Sitka dreadnouoght. Finished out as our British cousins would do. (Or as I think they would do?) Anyway, the finish was a dull matte, not quite "flat", and the pores were left open. And you know, the look really started to grow on me. For sure I'm going to do some of those, and not just for the ease of finishing.

And I agree, great looking cutaway.

Steve
Author:  Anthony Z [ Sat Aug 18, 2007 5:00 am ]
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Al, that is one killer looking guitar. My favorite parts are:
- cutaway
- neck lams
- look of the bindings with back/side wood
- logo

Heck I like it all! I hope to see this one in September.

Author:  old man [ Sat Aug 18, 2007 5:57 am ]
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Looks really good from Arkansas!!

Ron
Author:  Alain Desforges [ Sat Aug 18, 2007 6:11 am ]
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Thanks guys!   

David, this is my first attempt using oil on the neck. I used Lee Valley's Tried and True (Danish oil). I love it! The bindings finished with oil match perfectly with the ones finished with nitro (this was one of my concerns). That picture seems to represent the color faithfully...but it migh accentuate the 'greys' because of the lighting. I'll try to take better pics soon...

Robert, I'll post more pics tonight and I've got my tongue all tied up now!

Hesh, right you are my friend! This one has 9 laminations in the neck... Here's a better shot of the shape:



I'm trying to hurry up and get that fifth clapping hand emoticon!

Steve, thank you very much... The problem is that I couldn't stand to look at it anymore! Had I planned to finish with pores there would have been no problem. However, this was far from my intention. I wanted a smooth, mirror-like finish. I had worked so hard and struggled through many 'firsts' (florentine, head stock inlay, neck laminations...) that I just couldn't accept the pores. I just couldn't imagine showing her off to anyone and having to say (or hear) something like, 'Yeah, she's all right, but it's too bad about the finish...'

At any rate, after sanding back to the wood I have a very good idea how much I had on there, plus, I've a new found appreciation for nitro's tenacity and durability! I found it extremelly resilient!

AZ, it should be ready by then. However, it probably won't be buffed out... JJ graciously offered me the opportunity to do that in Indiana and the idea tickles my fancy quite a bit!    I'm telling you though, it's NOT for sale!

Thanks again folks!
Author:  Anthony Z [ Sat Aug 18, 2007 7:33 am ]
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Al when you bring your guitar to mine in September, think of it as the Hotel California for your guitar
Author:  GregG [ Sat Aug 18, 2007 10:02 am ]
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It really is beautiful, I love the color of the body, it's very rich looking...and of course the blue gloves set everything off

Greg
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Sat Aug 18, 2007 2:02 pm ]
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Alain, I hear ya about chasing out every last little glitch.
That's why I've turned gray. (And turned to Tony. [If only I could turn into Tony...])

Anyway, here's a thought or two or 3:

Maple
Pau Ferro
Tas Tiger Myrtle

All pore-less. Dream finishing woods. Try one soon.

Steve
Author:  Jocafa [ Sat Aug 18, 2007 5:12 pm ]
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Just look at that shine. Beautiful!
Author:  Alain Desforges [ Sun Aug 19, 2007 3:30 am ]
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AZ, good one! Ha!

Steve, I like the way you put it, 'chasing away every last little glitch'...

I always wanted to use Pau Ferro. I think it is a gorgeous wood for the price! I didn't know about the pores, though... After 2 EIR and a Wenge (a.k.a. Porcupinus Woodus withus Monstrous Porous!) I think it's time I give myself a break and Pau just shot up on my 'to do' list...

I do have a great set of Claro Walnut that doesn't seem too porous. You could also add cherry-wood to that list!

Note to self: No more blue gloves while taking pictures...

Thanks all!
Author:  KenH [ Sun Aug 19, 2007 1:01 pm ]
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VERY pretty guitar Alain!


I thought I had commended you on this guitar earlier, but either I ht the back button or was having a daydream about it. You really did well on the craftsmansip for the guitar and the choice of woods is top drawer.


good job!
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Sun Aug 19, 2007 2:13 pm ]
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Al...this looks even better than you described!...you're too modest! I can't wait to play it and more importantly to hear you play.

Between rounds of golf, we will be able to buff and polish her out.
Author:  Andy Zimmerman [ Mon Aug 20, 2007 3:42 am ]
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Very Nice
Great to see you posting
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