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Well it has been a long, but good day. I did take things back to wood. Resealed an spit coated with Medium Blond Shellac rather than the amber I used before. Got a couple of good spit coats on and a long body session of Blond. Then I switched to the Amber, and built a couple of sessions of a little more color. Things are working much better now. I have a few more sessions on the back, sides, neck and headstock too, now. Things are really looking up. I'm liking this process pretty well. Things do well in the shop. It was relatively warm, low 70's and 45% so things seem to dry very fast in that environment. I have noticed that when I spill water on the floor, it dries completely in a matter of minutes. Anyway, here are some more pictures of where I am now. I put it back together because I have to play Tuesday night, and wanted to be ready to string it back up tomorrow night. I know it's pushing things, but I don't want to play my other guitars any more, this one sounds so much better, and is so much easier to play. I played it last week with no finish on the top. The audience seemed very interested. It is kind of fun to play your own instrument, and know it sounds really good. I'll probably play it a couple of weeks or so before I take it apart again and put some more sessions on. It's pretty well sealed now. But I ramble!

The black spot is not on the guitar. Don't know where that came from.


Oops - see something I need to fix.
I see this one focused on the label, not the rosette as intended.


You can see at the edge where I filled a bit to correct for poorly tightened purfling against the sound board edge.

You can still see the little light spot in the upper right, but it seems to be correcting itself a bit now. I can live with it, for now, and hopefully when I do the rest of the body sessions it will take care of it.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Again, thanks for looking.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Wow...Great improvement! Looking good, Waddy!

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

Looking Good!
The spot may be dust on your lens or sensor.

Cal

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Remember, there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers!

Thanks guys. By the way the spot was on my monitor.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Looks like you are nicely back on track Waddy.

Thanks, Dave. I think I have all the wheels on the tracks now. I have noticed, however, that my "i" finger does not work like it used to. It is somewhat swollen and stiff, from overwork. Playing will be interesting.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

You got it looking very handsome Waddy. Those little lac bugs are amazing too, ay? This whole process is mystical and hopefully toneful too. I'm very impressed.

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

How do you hold your pad? I hold mine between my thumb and the side of the 2nd bone of my index finger and never stressed my fingers. This position seems to better promote those long anf gliding stroked along the grain. I have, however caused some temporary elbow strain from that motion.

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

When I have a spot on my monitor I use White-Out on the screen.......

Waddy bro I agree this is looking much better - great job!

Regarding not wanting to play your other guitars anymore - welcome to the club. This is something that I hear over and over as new builders discover that it is very possible to build a guitar, even one of your first, that sounds better then store bought guitars.

You have arrived my friend.

Nice Job!! Looks Great!!!

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Don Sharp
Got Brazilian?
http://www.sharpguitars.com

Good job, Waddy. I know it's hard to start over again on something but it's worth it in the end. I FP'd my first 3 times before I was happy with the results, and I'll probably end up doing it again, because by the time I got the process down, my shellac had started to turn, and it didn't cure very well. That was about 8 mos ago now, and the finish seems to have mostly cured now, but it was really soft for a few mos. and took a good bit of sweat damage, etc.

In all, FP'ing is finicky at first, but quite enjoyable once you get a feel for it.

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-Clint Beacock

Now that ain't no boat paddle.
That is one NICE looking guitar. Everytime I see your rosette I think there is a W T in there somewhere. You know, like for your initials. Everypart part of your guitar is beautiful. BTW, if your fingers are too sore to play it, just ship it to me and I'll pick on it for a while...lol

Love ya Waddy

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"After forty-nine years of violin building, I have decided that the search for a varnish is similar to the fox hunt. The fun is in the hunt."
Jack Batts Maker and Repairer of Fine Violins

Thanks guys, for your comments.

JJ, I hold it that way too, I think. Well, now that I think about it, I hold it several ways, and found out I can even do some left handed, after learning to tuck in my nails - two scratches, before start over. Three after, which still need some work. I think the finger thing is a bit of arthritis kicking in. I have noticed, that when I use my hands a lot for any kind of hard work, requiring grip, my fingers swell and my joints get a little sore. Actually, Chuck, playing usually helps. So.....I think this one is a keeper. And yes, there is a WT in there, actually, it is a WRT, and with some LOGO LOGIC, the R is there twice and reversed. You can see it all if you look closely. Sorry for the blurry picture.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

That's pretty ingenious. Did you design that?

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"After forty-nine years of violin building, I have decided that the search for a varnish is similar to the fox hunt. The fun is in the hunt."
Jack Batts Maker and Repairer of Fine Violins

Yep, Thanks!

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I liked it the first time and moreso now Waddy! Well done. I hope your index finger and guitar are ready for your gig.

Thanks Anthony. The guitar will be ready! Not sure on the finger, but maybe I can fake it with "m" and "a".

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Nice Waddy! It turned out great! I hope mine will be up to par.... Have you posted any sound clips that I haven't seen?

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Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils - Louis Hector Berlioz

Chansen / C hansen / C. Hansen / Christian Hansen - not a handle.

Christian

Thanks, Christian. Not yet. I have to, either, learn to play something, or get a surrogate, to make a recording for me. I play a lot of ensemble music, but it's all one line stuff and doesn't do the guitar justice. Hopefully sometime in the next couple of weeks I can get something done, and will.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Waddy, congrats on a great looking instrument! Being persistent and diligent enough to redo the finish paid off, you should be proud. I also like to rosette very much.

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

What... no Classical Gas??? Oh geez. You better send me the guitar and I'll have at 'er for a bit. Just kidding. I'm not the guitar player I wish I was... I'll have to get a surrogate too!

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Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils - Louis Hector Berlioz

Chansen / C hansen / C. Hansen / Christian Hansen - not a handle.

Christian

Waddy, congrats on making a wonderful first. It looks fantastic.

I have to say though, for us first time builders who are still working on theirs, you certainly have raised the bar on creating a first. I have my work cut out for me if I ever want to think about doing as well as you did.

Its a great guitar! You should be very proud.

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-Rob Eckert
Ann Arbor, Michigan

There was a time I could play "Classical Gas", but it was a while back. I have been doing the ensemble thing for almost 20 years. Hard to study solo stuff too, but I am starting back at it. I may have to go back to taking lessons. I don't think "Roy Clark's Big Note Guitar Book" is gonna help any more

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I got through the first bar... but then my patience and skill level caught up to me.

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Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils - Louis Hector Berlioz

Chansen / C hansen / C. Hansen / Christian Hansen - not a handle.

Christian