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Whew, I am experiencing severe guitar build burnout. I did however complete my latest Martin Jumbo kit build (or at least complete for now). Like the previous Jumbo kit I built I cut down the depth from 4 7/8" to 4 1/2" for comfort. REALLY like the size change over a dread. Large grand audtorium sound and comfort for us couch players.

As you can see, super dark EIR (BTW got the kit from John at Blues Creek, when there were none available on the Martin web site - kudos as usual to John.) Sitka top of course, ebony fretboard and bridge, Herringbone rosette by Martin, gold Grovers, flamed Koa bindings w WBW purfling and a SOUND PORT!

High points: It's done; sounds great with a lot of head room and good tone; the sound port is very cool and here's the science of it (or you can ask Al) - it lets the sound out. No really, it let's the sound escape the box and it adds depth and er (science here) more sound. I would position it more toward the heel next time as it gets buried a bit by my chest where it is but I would do it again for sure.

The neck stain, was a real bear and I never really got it dark enough to match the rosewood, but I like the effect. The gold tuners seem to match the feel of the guitar. The bracing scheme seems to be just fine and VERY different feel from the drilled out previous version, lots more head room. Playability is surprisingly good and the set up was much easier this time.

Low points; KTM-9. Can't quantify the problems, but I litteraly gave up trying to get a nice finish. It might work for some folks but I ended up using Zar quick dry urethane on the neck with predictably great results (great for me at least). The dove tail neck or at least my approach was a near disaster. I barely saved the fretboard fiasco and it pains to look at but it plays fine despsite the ugliness.

And last but not least a HUGE thanks to everyone here for all the help. I'm done building guitars till next winter but have enjoyed the challenge a ton.

A few pics







LarryH38774.861400463

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Thank You and Best To All

That thing is beautiful, did you reinforce the port hole?

[QUOTE=Red Ennis] That thing is beautiful, did you reinforce the port hole?[/QUOTE]

Red if you look real close at the last brace picture you can see, in the upper right, the two vertical braces I put near the hole, I didn't brace it any further, mainly because I am lazy and it seemed to be really solid.

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Thank You and Best To All

cool endgraft, and dig the neck stain..

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

larry, great looking guitar, nice binding and Ilove the neck stain. Can we get a shot of the inlay on the headstock.. By the way, fabulous gardens..is that an orchid I see hiding behind your guitar in a few shots?? looks like a cymbidium..

Mike

[quote]...looks like a cymbidium...[/quote] Thanks and Yep, cymbidium, good eye Mike.

The inlay is my first attempt and am not sure the design goes with the overall scheme and tone of the guitar - to do it again I would have used more Koa instead of the mahogany, maple and padauk.

Here's a couple of pics

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Thank You and Best To All

I understand the burnout part Larry but it was worth all your efforts, she's stunningly beautiful and you can be proud to show her off anywhere! The end graft is really cool and she looks great from any angle!

Keep up the good work buddy!

[QUOTE=Serge Poirier] I understand the burnout part Larry but it was worth all your efforts, she's stunningly beautiful and you can be proud to show her off anywhere! The end graft is really cool and she looks great from any angle!

Keep up the good work buddy![/QUOTE]

Thanks for the kind words Serge. I'm wondering if it's not a bit like child birth (not that I could EVER hope to have the emotional and physical strength of the other gender that can actually do that sort of thing) where it's vowed that that's the LAST time I ever do that again.

Then something happens, and either a few days, or weeks later you're right back in the saddle thinkin'...hmmmm...will it be cedar or redwood?...hmmm..000 or OM...maybe a 12 fretter.

Still a little sore but there's always tomorrow and always that KILLER set of who knows what wood to keep the juices flowing.

Is it winter yet?

thanks again

Larry

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Thank You and Best To All

No Larry, no winter time for ya, ya might consider champagne or beer o'clock, you well deserve a good one!

Cheers!

Serge

Love the end graft!

Keep up with the good work!

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

This is one of the outstanding first timer kits I have seen. JJ Donahue and you are tied. I of course am the winner since I get to judge LOL.
   I love the details you put into the design. The tail piece is just outstanding. I love that. I have 6 guitars I just started and I think I will incorporate something similar. Your use of materials are wonderful.
KUDO'S   I feel you did that kit justice. I would love to hear and play that. Your top bracing design is nice and I would like ti hear your input to what it produced.
John & Brenda Hall
Blues Creek Guitarstippie5338774.6779166667

[QUOTE=tippie53]   This is one of the outstanding first timer kits I have seen. JJ Donahue and you are tied. I of course am the winner since I get to judge LOL.
   I love the details you put into the design. The tail piece is just outstanding. I love that. I have 6 guitars I just started and I think I will incorporate something similar. Your use of materials are wonderful.
KUDO'S   I feel you did that kit justice. I would love to hear and play that. Your top bracing design is nice and I would like ti hear your input to what it produced.
John & Brenda Hall
Blues Creek Guitars[/QUOTE]

Thanks John. Actually my second Jumbo kit build. The first was a mohogany with a completely different bracing scheme. As below.



The difference between the guitars is almost exactly what would be expected. The drilled out, forward shifted, braces and the mahogany created an amazingly responsive top with a lot of singing trebles but with little headroom, but great hog characteristics - a great finger picker and hard to put down

The bracing on this last build has created a lot more head room and a much better strummer but still finger picks great - both have 1 3/4" necks and 2 1/4" bridges. This last one has been strung only over night but I sense there is a greater potential of the tone improving a lot with this one.

Can't put my finger on it but I think it will blossom nicely. The rosewood tone is very obvious as well. Adds a richness over the hog but can't say I prefer one over the other. And the sound port is cool. Played one string at a time you can here the A and D strings change volume as the hole is covered/uncovered. Really a trip and I would do it again.

I had an interesting experience with this guitar as I was stringing it up. I was singing along to a tune playing in the background and I could feel the top vibrate at certain pitches and the area behind the bridge, which usually has tone bars running across it, was really alive and vibrating. Probably old hat for the old timers but it was a trip to sennse and feel where the bracing was NOT and how affected the vibrations across the lower bout.

hope that helps

LarryLarryH38774.7068287037

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Thank You and Best To All

I agree ,It's a great job fer your 1st kit.I like your end graft and stained neck,and the binding too! I like your headstock inlay. WTG Larry   

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Larry, I think you did a great job. The finish on the neck looks really nice to me and I see nothing at all wrong with your choice of inlay materials. Looking forward to seeing your next build.

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

Woops, sorry Larry 2nd kit !!!

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755