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Well, after threatening to try and build one of these things, I got it done - with the guidance from an established builder and the inspiration from the OLF (and especially Don Williams). Here's a few photos. Oh, and yep, it's a dread (which I love) and I'm probably going to burst it (which I also love). Here's the specs:

Stewmac kit, englemann top/mahog back and sides, rosewood binding(maple edge), top purfling is b/w/b fiber. That's it...and thanks for letting me share.

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

Bill,

I think it looks great and will look even better finish. My first will be started soon and I can only hope it turns out even close to your fine looking work. Great Job!

Philip

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aka konacat

If you think my playing is bad you should hear me sing!
Practice breeds confidence and confidence breeds competence. Unfortunately, I'm stuck in practice.

Very Nice Bill, Well done with that neck joint a daunting task on your 1st.

Thats some nice Mahogany.

Bill,
Very nice! Very clean execution. I like everything about it. Can't wait to see it all finished. Keep up the great work!
Tracy

Thing that seperates the mortals from the really skilled is details like binding execution...Bill you gonna live a very long time!! Nicely done...be very proud.

Nice Bill,

Also on my first and hope I can do it as good as yours.

Ross

Nice job! Man, Tony's gonna sweeten that thing up like you won't believe! Of course you've given him a great platform!

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

   Bill, that is a superb effort! I can't wait to see what that baby will look like under finish! Great job and keep up the good work...

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

Nice, crisp details.
I like the way the maple line under the heel cap meets the purfling line so well.
Impressive!

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Wow, Thats a very nice first build Bill. What are you planning for your 2nd ?

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Nice neck to body work! (one of my bugaboos)

WHO is Tony? Just in case I decide I can afford to side-step my biggest challenge which is FINISHING!

Will he or she laugh at my efforts?

<At work, one of my best attributes is that I am not scared to ask the dumb question - in case you wondered>

Tony's a HE and believe me...if he didn't laugh at mine, he won't laugh at yours!

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

Outstanding! Nice to see another Dread lover.

What's the plan for #2

Great first one Bill! you're hooked for good now eh?

Tony Ferguson. Guitar finisher extrodinare. Great service, killer work.
Been doing mine for a couple years now. Call him up and enquire about
his work. Tell him I sent ya..

616-842-4114

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Like Russell I was very impressed with the neck body joint and the great detail in the execution, These first time builders just get better and better! Well done.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

You're gonna BURST it????
Now, I didn't advise you on that....

Looks great Bill!
You'll be quitting that nice job before you know it and trying to make a living building guitars. You'll probably go back to that day job like the rest of us, but hey, we all gotta try!

A burst? Well, it's only drab boring mahogany, which deserves to be covered by a nice burst. Right Colin?
Burst away!

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Oh no, another beautiful first guitar

The bar is getting awfully high for first timers...

Still enough moaning, that is a great looking guitar, especially the binding
around the neck.

Nice job there Bill! What a great looking guitar!

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Thank you all so much. I'll be the first to admit that it came out better than I thought, but remember I did build it with a guy who knows what he's doing, Brad Nickerson, so I had an extreme advantage over those who are brave enough to do this solo. Brad would advise me on what to do and then leave. I would promptly mess everything up, then he would return to show me how to fix it - or start over in some cases. The down side of working with Brad is that he uses, basically, no jigs whatsoever, so there is a sharp learning curve ahead for when I start trying to build jigs and learn to use them on my own. Plus, I've had ZERO woodworking experience.

As for using Tony to finish, my wife has extreme asthma/allergies and I'm building in a small room in our basement (I have no other space). Because I love the glossy finishes, I thought it best to avoid anything that might make matters worse.

The next plan was going to be an OLF SJ, with a redwood top from Don, and an undecided back/side set combo...but now I might make another dread quickly just to mentally cement the process a bit better. Dreads are going to be my regular effort, simply because I'm a flatpicker, bluegrass junkie. (I live/work/play in serious bluegrass country.) "Boy, that don't look like no reg'lar geetar. You ain't from up north is you?"

PS: Don, is there any particular burst you just hate more than the others?

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

[QUOTE=Don Williams] You're gonna BURST it????
Now, I didn't advise you on that....


A burst? Well, it's only drab boring mahogany, which deserves to be covered by a nice burst. Right Colin?
Burst away![/QUOTE]

Don't get me started Bill!    The best possible wood withe the worst possible finish.

ColinColin S38839.3713541667

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Colin:

I know you'll find this hard to believe, but here in the States, there are those among us that actually search out the colored tops.

Shucks, I was thinkin' about making a commemorative Buck Owens American flag model. Say Don, you're a big country music fan, right?

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

Bill if you ever do that Buck Owens guitar, i wanna see it!