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Just thought I would share pics of my first body, which is pretty much complete. It is not perfect by any means, but it still looks pretty good and this is so fun I don't mind. Need to fit the neck so some adjustment is still being done. The routing and binding went well with only a couple of microscopic gaps...filled with CA and scraped and sanded easily. Boy is this fun. No finish applied yet and still debating on which way to go.

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"Building guitars looks hard, but it's actually much harder than it looks." Tom Buck

[QUOTE=SteveCourtright] Boy is this fun. [/QUOTE]

Another one succumbs to the addiction...

Looks really nice. Be sure and post more pics when it's done.

So what are the woods?

Beautiful back & side wood even with out the finish!What's the body size?

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John S.

Very Nice Steve,

Just to share something, I am finishing 2 right now using the RRussell recomendations with Danish Oil. I am doing the 3rd with Behlens RH Varnish. I was originally planning to Nitro one of the Danish Oil guitars, but after I started the first one following his instructions I was sold on the look, process and final result. No bad smell, nothing dangerous and very forgiving throughout the process.

I will be posting pics of all three guitars in the next
week or so once completed.

Again, great job

Mike

Thanks guys for the comments and advice! CAn't wait to see your oil finish, Mike!

This is an OM size, for 14 frets. The top is solid Sitka and the back and sides are laminated BRW. I am on a serious hobby budget and since this is my first instrument, I wanted to not spend a lot to learn on. However, this has gone so smoothly, I can't wait to start my second and will probably go with Indian Rosewood as it is so pretty. As Ronn says, it is addicting!

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"Building guitars looks hard, but it's actually much harder than it looks." Tom Buck

Steve - laminated brazilian you say - well you certainly book matched it extremely well. Looks great!

Very clean and tasteful work. The standards are getting way too high around here!
I'm impressed.
John

Hi Steve..
Your guitar is absolutely beautiful!!
Where did you buy the laminated BRW??
Is this a Martin Kit?
I know they sell a laminated BRW kit.
Anyways congrat's.
Keep us posted with your progress and thanks for the pic's.

walter

Very nice.

Steve, that looks fantastic! I love it!

Laminated BRW, eh? Where did you get it? It's gorgeous stuff.

Keep up the great work and keep us posted!

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

Nice work, Steve!
Coe

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Give me 50 cents worth of regular.
Check my oil too, if you don`t mind,,,

Steve, that is a beauty. The body shape is a great choice for an acoustic guitar.

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Looks great Steve! Geeze, I didn't even know you could get laminated BRW.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Looks great Steve! Hope you guys had a great trip in NYC.
Best, Evan

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http://www.NewYorkGuitarRepair.com

WOW Steve, you're first? I'm very impressed my friend, very clean and i'm sure this one will sound heavenly to your ears bud, keep them piccys a comin' will ya?!

Evan - We had a super time visiting New York, and the visit to you was a real highlight. Since it was our 20th anniversary, and a kind of second honeymoon, you will understand why I cannot say it was THE highlight of the trip. If ever you come to Chicago, be sure to call. I can show you some great jazz places, like Fred Anderson's new place. Thanks again!

The BRW came from John Hall. I have to say, it is a little different from solid wood to work with. It is more brittle because of the thinness of the veneer and I am afraid to sand much. I am going to have to live with a few light planer marks because I don't want to sand through. There is one spot where the join shows more than I like. Still, the routing for the ledges went nearly perfectly, so it is not bad compared to lacewood maybe for fragility.

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"Building guitars looks hard, but it's actually much harder than it looks." Tom Buck

Looks good Steve. I like the brz rw veneer a lot. Great first start!!

Homeboy

Looking real good!   

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

Nice, Steve. Make sure you bring it to the Chicago meeting.

As Todd said...I would also recommend zpoxy and Nitro. You might even consider doing a FP finish on the top. There are so many finishes to choose from but it's nice to have that Nitro as a reference for the others you will make.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Steve
Sure looks good to me,great to hear that it is fun.
The best part is yet to come. You know, when you get
too play it!

Tom

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http://www.moriciguitar.com

Great job - looks a heck of a lot better than my first!!! And possibly my second, third and fourth. Nice work

Looks Great Steve, very crisp clean work and the BRW lam looks beautiful but will be especially so under a finish.

Nice work!

Cheers

Kim