Official Luthiers Forum!

I'll toss my hat in the ring and try and bring everyone up to speed with this project over the next few days. In short the guitar is EIR with a sitka bearclaw top... at least that's where it started. I have a problem of keeping it simple as you'll see.

Going to do a flame maple wedge down the back


I personally really like working with bearclaw tops


Really like the grain in this set of sides


Wedge in place with much frustration


Racing stripes for all the NASCAR fans out there.


Rosette layout with ebony and MOP


Turned out nice, I think


End block ready to roll


Thanks for looking, feel free to comment and stay tuned for more.

Thanks,

This guitar has taught me a few valuable lessons:
1) Check for run out
2) CA glue is serious when they say binds instantly
3) You can never have too many radius dishes

Like I said before, I'm a few weeks ahead of what I'm posting. Just trying to get up to speed so I can be more current with my trials and break throughs with this guitar. So you understand, this guitar is actually number 4 in my production history. But 4 other guitars have surpassed this one in the production line.

Sides are thicknessed and ready for bending. And yes, my work shop shares space with my climbing wall


These sides were actually one of the hardest sets I've had to bend. Very springy


What you're seeing the the blocking for my signature cutaway design


I love doing the X brace on the back. I feel it makes it more stable


Can't say enough about the go-bar-deck.



A few shots of the evolution of my cutaway design.




Enjoy for now. First day that our local ski resort is open so I'm going to go get some powder.

That's the classiest end block I've ever seen. Everything looks great so far! I look forward to seeing more.

Thanks Gabby. Here's a few more pictures to pass the time.



















Thanks for looking

Looking very nice!!

Few more photos of this very enjoyable build. Thankfully the owner isn't in a huge hurry to get this guitar. More along the lines that he wants it to look and sound really well. So I'm taking my time, letting other builds pass this one.

Don't totally remember where I left off, but here's a picture of the body glued together and the cutaway bevel ready for inlaying (though I haven't done it yet).

Been trying to up the classiness of my headstocks, so I'm changing my technique and design to be a bit more sharp looking.

First guitar that I've decided to do a bound fret board, I'm hooked.

Gotta make sure my lines line up.

A better view of what the look is I'm going for.

The evolution of my 'Y' Laminate neck. There's a few secrets built in to ensure strength.

I think it makes for a cool variation of the laminate neck design.
Neck roughed in and looking how I wanted it to.

Bit of a preview of the back. The owner is beside himself about this guitar.


Once again, thanks for looking.

Thanks for the pictures. I've never seen (or at least noticed) any scalloped and laminated side bracing like that. It must've taken quite a while to do. I was just looking at Irving Sloane's book that shows fabric being used. I also don't quite understand why you did the cutaway that way but find it interesting. There are many ways to skin a cat. Nice craftsmanship!

_________________
"Preoccupation with an effect gives it power and enhances the error"
from "Your Owner's Manual" by Burt Hotchkiss.

Fantastic build. It's quite impressive and your meticulous craftsmanship is notable. I just want to get on your friends list.

Keep the pics and updates coming.

Marc

Thanks Nick and Marc for the comments and having a peek at my work. Been super busy with other builds over the holiday but finally got back to work on this guitar. Binding has always been a headache for me so I redesigned by routing jig and was amazed how quickly and accurate my new method is. Enjoy.

The guitar in its cradle after running it through the router.

I hate using ebony, there always tends to be those trouble spots where it just won't sit tight.

But the final turned out very nice.





Thanks for looking.

Jeremy -
Man! What a great looking guitar! Your craftsmanship is superb. Your design sense is really good. Keep up the updates, PLEASE!

I was wondering if building drives you up the wall? Climbing wall, that is!

Thanks for sharing,

_________________
Steve Walden
Aspiring Builder,
Bartlesville, OK

Woah.

very nice.

_________________
"Preoccupation with an effect gives it power and enhances the error"
from "Your Owner's Manual" by Burt Hotchkiss.

Few shots of the pore filling. Really liking the richness in color that this guitar will have.





Finishing steps coming soon.

WOW! Loving it so far!!

Great thread
Beautiful Guitar

Great thread
Beautiful Guitar

Nice build, but can we PLEEEEEEASE load pics as attachments!! (...thread took over 4 min. to load....won't be back!)

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Dave
Milton, ON

I don't want to be controversial but this thread took *literally* 2 seconds to load for me. I doubt I'm the only one who appreciates the large, detailed photos of beautiful guitars like Jeremy's, and I cringe when I see people discouraging others from posting them because they have a slow connection. I've seen a noticeable increase in the frequency of small photos here since the complaining began.

Beautiful work, Jeremy! Thanks for sharing the photos!

Charlie, EVERYBODY can see ANY photo in its original large file size IF THEY WANT TO! (my point!!) simply by clicking the attachment. I too love to see the detail on a few selected pics, but it's sure not necessary on all or even most! Thankfully, the forum was set up to accomodate this (if people will use it)!

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Dave
Milton, ON

Dave - while I disagree with you on a couple of points, I don't want to debate them here.

Jeremy - I apologize for the hijack. Thanks the thread and the great photos!

IT'S FINALLY FINISHED!!

I've been taking it around to some local guitar enthusiasts to see what they think. Two thumbs up all around. Unfortunately the owner has yet to see it so until he does I feel obligated not to post pictures yet. But I will very soon. I apologize for not doing the photos as attachments, next thread I will.

Thanks for your patience, I know mines been tested.

I promised photos so here they are. The owner was brought to tears with the personal detail and secret Star Wars references (3 total). Sound clips should be on my web page soon. This one had a lot of blood, sweat and tears, enjoy.

thanks for looking.

p.s. Sorry for the big photos, my next post will have links.

Beautiful!

It has to be said, that is a stunning guitar! Beautiful piece of craftsmanship and very good design taste

Wow, this is truly a work of art and mastery of the trade! I love what you did with the cutway and the "hidden" Star Wars theme!