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I just finished a guitar made from Imbuya that Bob sold me. It sounds very good, deep snappy bass, and fat trebles. I can recommend its use tonally, and, it does not hurt a thing that it's a great looking wood.


NEVER MIND the fact that the pick guard is crooked. It is just taped on for show, (just to see how the customer likes it without committing to anything)



A walnut neck complements imbuya pretty well. Walnut burl is on the back of this peghead.


The top was bearclaw sitka. The combination works nicely.

JohnJohn K38886.8494328704

Wow! John, that is beautiful! The walnut neck really sets off that beautiful Imbuya. Is the binding curly koa?

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Thanks Dave. Yes that is Koa binding. I really thought it might be too much figure, but it seems to have worked out all right.

Really Gorgeous work John. What do you compare the taptone of the raw plates to?

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

I recently sold a couple sets of Imbuia that I had. I have to say, that stuff smells amazing! It's almost as nice a Brazilian Rosewood. It's a stronger fragrance, more like indian spices of some sort. And it's really beautiful as we all can tell by looking at this guitar.

Great work John. That's a piece of fine art that you created there...

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

That is beautiful guitar John.

Thanks guys
Tim, I was really disappointed in the taptone of the raw plate. It did not seem to have much mojo at all, but I had a customer for it and so went ahead and used it. I am really glad that I did.

Don, I agree with you about the smell. It's the best smelling wood I have worked with and that includes Spanish Cedar.

John

Hey bro, that's a real looker for sure!
Want me to add some extra inlays for you?   

SK

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Wow that is stunning

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Very nice John!

What are the dark laminates in the neck?

Stunning as Usual John

      Wow. Beautiful guitar. I really like the smell of port orford cedar best I think so far. I'd like to check out this wood someday though, if I can survive my next attempt.nickton38887.1259953704

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

Man, John you really know how to build a beautiful guitar. Each time you post a new build it's more impressive then the last one. Did you make the roped purfling yourself?

John, you are one of those builders that could make a guitar from an orange box and it would still look and sound fantastic. When given stunning wood to work with, then you raise the game to another level. I have absolutely no doubt that the customer will be singing your praises to everyone he knows. Wonderful work, as ever.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Awesome!

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

John, that is an unbelievably beautiful guitar. Wow. Thanks for raising the bar and inspiring us once again.

How's the Imbuya in terms of workability - bending, machining, gluing, etc?

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

Unbelievably beautiful!

John, did you stain or tint the wood somehow? The set that I have are not to reddish. I really like what you did.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the kind remarks. Part of the fun of building is getting to show off your work. This is such an appreciative forum to do that.

John

Lance, no stain on that other than an amber shellac wash as the sealing coat. It may be the photography that brings out the reds, though the color seems pretty true.

Imbuya sands and bends really well, one of my students is building with it right now, and I have used it for binding a few years back, but about the smell - I would swear it smells like the brown h@sh from the 70s !!!

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

   I've used it to build furniture and agree the smell is great. As for the guitar, words fail me .........just a beautiful instrument.

                   Peace, Paul
       

Another superb effort John. That Imbuya is an awesome wood! BeeeauuuuteeFul !

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

WOW! Once again the bar is set out of my reach...I don't know if I am inspired or totally depressed

Seriously John -- I'm glad you choose this forum to display your talent. The Imbuya/Koa binding/rope purfling and rosette -- you've certainly got an eye for wood combo's. Had I seen the combo you used prior to assembly I would have thought no way would that all look good together. It's great to be wrong!

Thanks again guys

Alan, I didn't answer your question at first about the dark lines in the neck because I had forgotten what it was. However, I think it is koko wood. I had some sawn veneers of that wood that I have mostly used up but did have enough for this neck. My brother made a guitar out of koko. Its pretty stuff in golds and browns and makes a good sounding guitar.

John

Really sweet.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......