Official Luthiers Forum!

I know how much you all like pics so here we go.

First, looking for some feedback on which orientation you like best for back.

#1


#2


#3


#4
Thinking of removing the heartwood


A shot of the soundboard


Closeup


Headplate


Sides


Now wondering if the heartwood from the sides might make for nice binding. Anyone ever use heartwood for binding. Maybe with BWB purfling on bottom and top?



Or I could cut up these sides for bindings. This is what I was thinking for laminated fingerboard and bridge but think I will use solid and get something dark to match up to the headplate. Bob C already responded to an email and I know he can fix me up in this area so deciding not to use laminates




Would you use the heartwood and end up with white bindings or go with the lighter orangish brazilian for bindings?

Forgot one options for b/s. I could cut the heartwood our of #1 and match up the almost black center if you can visualize that option.

[QUOTE=rich altieri] Forgot one options for b/s. I could cut the heartwood our of #1 and match up the almost black center if you can visualize that option.[/QUOTE]

Or #2, cut out the heartwood?

Number 2 looks more balanced. I like the symmetry of the larger "heartwood" on the lower bout and the slimmer heartwood stripe on the lower bout.

*passes out* CAUSE: Sensory overload....


If I were you, I'd go for plain bindings in a darker shade.Sam Price39018.7085185185

I think I like #4

NUMBER 4 ALL THE WAY!!!!

great stuff.... I saw a set just like that on Ebay!

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

3 or 4

I like 3, but I think I really like 4 the best. So yeah, 3 or 4.

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Aoibeann

i would use no 1 if it were mine... wistful sighs... avaricious stares...

Interesting....I like #1 or #2....

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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."

I like #2 best, followed by #4. NICE ZOOT!!

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Hi Rich, I like that sap wood (the white bits) so for me I would go with #3 and use the wormy sides for binding. I think that would look cool!

Shane

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Canada

rich,
based on the responses so far it seems you can't really go wrong - beautiful wood will make a beautiful guitar - no matter how you slice it, it seems.
my preference is #2 though. that sap wood at the top of the lower bout being topped by a dark braz heel cap would look stunning.
phil

It looks like a tight vote! I agree w/phil. His comment about a contrasting
heel cap was the closer for me.

Chalk me up for #2...

long

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"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” -Heraclitus of Ephesus

3 or 4

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

I like number 4 but I'm not sure about how the heartwood binding would look. I suppose with the black purfling it would at first glance appear like a typical BWB plastic binding so I think that would be pretty cool.

Number 4. It just seems better. That is going to be a seriously nice looking guitar.

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Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

#4 for me, no to the heartwood bindings

Mike

2

Rich, I am with Sam -- I like #2 best. It has the best symetry. I see a pair of eyes in #2 at the waist. Kinda reminds me of Mother Willow in Pochahontas (Disney animated movie).

That'll make a gorgeous guitar....I look forward to seeing the progress pictures!!

Thanks guys and gals. Looks like we are all over the board on this one. I went with #1 but I narrowed the heartwood a bit. Glued her up last night. Will post some pics maybe later today. Also glued up the top and started the rosette. Going with a .25 ring of Brazilian with BWB on each side and then on the inside and outside rings I am using some Pink Heart pearl with BWB. Got the Brazilian inlaid just now and will do the BWB banding later today. Will post pics.

Have to go away all next week on business (VEGAS!!) so probably wont be updating but hoping I can finish the rosette before I leave.

Hesh, you asked about bracing. I am going to use Adi for all braces, soundboard and back.

Not sure on binding selection yet. Thinking Brazilian but that wont be much of a contrast. Going to use same Pink Heart pearl being used for soundhole to do top purflings. Might do back as well, not sure. I guess if I break the line between the sides and back with the pink heart I could use Brazilian for the binding. Will have to play with it a bit.

Hey Bob C: You can see the pics on this post for the back/sides. Send me a bridge blank and fretboard that will match up. No hurry.

Hesh - thinking of using your bridge design. Not sure yet but my niece gave me her ovation to fix last week. I ended up making a bridge from some EIR and it looked pretty similar to your design when I got done. Except it is a pinless bridge. Didnt take any pics. Came out nice and when I was done everything played well.

Anyway, trying to choose between a Heshtone bridge design and Taylor. I have some Taylor bridges on hand and like their style as well,

#2 would have been my pick. I like sapwood.

Andrew

Finsihed rosette tonight and applied couple coats of shellac to protect. Ended up with a change on the rosette from my original plans. First I inlaid a brazilian ring wtih BWB purflings. Once thr ring was glued in, I routed the outer and inner purfling channels - a trick I picked up here some time ago. Makes a really clean job.

Next - routed the center and installed the Pink Heart. Then decided to do a BWB on outside and inside.

Looks much better live - can never get the lighting right for the camera but thought I would throw this up.

Brought the top down to .10 which is thinner than I normally work with but the top was pretty stiff both ways. Hope it holds up.





On to the bracing - next week when I get back from business

I like it. I like it a lot Rich.

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Aoibeann