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I just received this beautiful Myrtle over the weekend from Shane at High Mountain Tonewood. I also received the Lutz for the top but it was hard to get a good picture of it. For those who have used Shane's Lutz you know how spectacular it is. I am really excited and feel like I am finally getting started.

A big thanks to Shane for his help and excellent service

More to come...

Dan

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Dan

Spalted Myrtle?

OOh, goregeous!!!!

Very nice!

That's beautiful, and will make a really nice looking guitar. What do you plan to use for bindings?

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Waddy

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I am building with Myrtle right now, and it is a joy. Kudos, that is a lovely set.

Dan,
Myrtle is one of my favorites and it looks like you got an exceptional set there!
What modal are you building?


Wade

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Wade
Nashua, NH
http://www.wadefx.com

What a beautiful set!
Shane sells nice woods !

The Lutz top will be great with that set.
No matter what style your going to make!

keep us posted as what you plan to make !
mike

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Mike Collins

How exciting!

Dan, keep us posted as you move through your first guitar! We all enjoy the journey!

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Waddy - I have my eye on some claro walnut bindings at Uncle Bob's that I think would go well with the Myrtle but haven't made up my mind just yet. I was even thinking that a walnut neck might really look nice with the Myrtle since the browns in the myrtle are in the same family as Walnut. I was thinking that Mahogany might have a little too much red in it. Suggestions are always welcome

Wade - I am building the OLF SJ. I really love the shape and size of the SJ. I play primarily fingerstyle but also do a bit of praise and worship strumming so I think I can get the best of both worlds with the SJ and this wood combination. I also have read quite a bit about how easy Myrtle is to work and bend so that had a lot to do with the wood choice...that and the fact that I have always loved the look of Myrtle.

Thanks for the nice comments and if anyone has suggestions about bindings, rosettes, neck, etc., I'm all ears

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Dan

Dan-look around for some Myrtle for a neck!!!!!!

Mike

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Mike Collins

Hi Dan,

That myrtle is beautiful, it's got flame and figure and color - VERY NICE!!!

However, from one newbie to another, might I suggest that you keep this wood for your 2nd or 3rd guitar, and buy some cheap, but fairly nice (AA quality, say) wood to build your first guitar with? If you screw it up at all, you will kick yourself for not practicing on some cheaper stuff first.

FWIW, I'm still making my first (an OM thingy) - I chose to use some cheap koa (from eBay) for the B/S, and a cheap spruce top (again from eBay) for the SB. I'm keeping my really nice wood for subsequent builds.

It's your choice, of course......this is just the way I think, and it may not be appropriate for you/your situation at all.

Good luck anyway - and don't forget to post LOTS OF PICTURES of your progress!

Cheers,
Dave F.

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Cambrian Guitars

"There goes Mister Tic-Tac out the back with some bric-brac from the knick-knack rack"

Dave - Your advice is good advice. In fact, when Shane packaged the b/s and top he used some low grade spruce (well, low grade to him - the stuff is beautiful) to pack it in. I am currently using that wood to make my first top so I will have a practice round before using the good stuff. My plan is to get some of the practice wood from LMI/StewMac for the first few attempts at bending the sides. I am going to be very nervous when I start to bend the sides, but I hear that Myrtle is very good for beginners because it bends easily. Thanks again and I will definitely try to post lots of pictures as I go.

Dan

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Dan

You will do great. Practicing on other wood is a good idea. I did a lot of that on my build. Then, the other day, I trashed a perfectly good neck with a V-joint trying something I had not tried before. I knew better, but didn't go to the trouble to make a dummy up to practice on.

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Waddy

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