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I just got back from a day trip to John Watkins' place. Since I was completely clueless on electronics, he was very instrumental (pun) in getting this one up and running. I'd have to say that hearing him play it in his crazy rock and roll style was quite cool.
A little about the guitar: Carved top and back just like a "real" archtop. Flamed maple binding. TV Jones pickups, bigsby tailpiece and rocker bridge. It was slated for black paint since the day I started designing it. Which was good because there was a little knot that uncovered itself on the back plate. This one is off to the Montreal show in a couple of weeks as the start of my RB (Rock-a-billy) line.
Pwoolson38890.4793865741

That's beautiful, Paul. I sure want to build one like that someday. Looks like a hollow body Les Paul. What, in your opinion, is the best book available that'll show how to do that?

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

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

Gorgeous Paul.....how about some more pics?

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

Very cool.

Ron, I realize it's pretty hard to get a scale but it's really nothing like a LP. 17" lower bout. the thing is HUGE. Modeled after the Gretsch Falcon line. This one is built exactly as an archtop with the exception that it has two small sets of struts for the pickups to screw into.
As for references: Benedetto is THE word on the subject. I studied both his book and video series (now that's a snoozer).
Peter: I'll try to get some more pics tomorrow.

Thanks, Paul. I'll get that book for sure. I love that guitar.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

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

Paul, does it come with a Brian Setzer hairstyle manual? Seriously tho, that's one sweet guitar!

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

One great looking axe Paul, wish i could make it in Montreal, will have to check on the finances....

Thanks for sharing this great pic, please, i vote for more pics too!

[QUOTE=old man] That's beautiful, Paul. I sure want to build one like that someday. Looks like a hollow body Les Paul. What, in your opinion, is the best book available that'll show how to do that?

Ron[/QUOTE]

Like this one? It is a baby compared to that.

Cool Axe Paul.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Wow, that is VERY cool Paul! I lusted for a good Gretch for years whan I played rockabilly, but I never did get one. Since I started making guitars I have been meaning to make one, I even traced and examined a nice 6120 closely a couple of years ago and made some drawings but that's it.

You say you built it like an archtop with 2 strus for the pickups... Could you elaborate, is it anything like the 6120 "trestle bracing"?

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Arnt, I'm not familiar with teh trestle bracing. But these struts aren't really anything more than .75 x .75 pieces between the x and above the x running from neck to tail block. just something for the pickups to screw into.
The TV Jones pickups don't use a ring to support them. They just screw into whatever you have below them. And since there was nothing below them, I had to put something there.

cant wait to see it!
Paul, what else are you bringing on the 3rd?

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

The little hog top LG, a myrtle/carp LG, and a madrose/Adi Sig.

NICE!
BTW Paul, were all set for the 3rd, and well see you off headed toward Montreal on the 4th.

I should have the 12 fret dread back from Tony,( its getting a freshen up before its off to its owner) and Heshs Walnut Om will also be here. If I get it back soon enough it will be strung up.
Hesh be sure to bring some of your stable! Particularly that sunburst Koa beauty!

Looking forward!

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Very nice build Paul.I'd love to hear how it sounds!

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

I dig the Bigsby. Black and chrome all the way...killer!

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice

thanks guys!
Joe, I was a little concerned that it might look "painted" as if I were trying to hide something. But with the flamed maple bindings, I think it makes it look elegant rather than an afterthought. I think I'm going to try one in cream and then I'll branch out and offer them in pretty much any color the customer can think of. Gretsch orange comes to mind. Sparlky silver. Hmmmmmmm. Lots of possibilities.

Too Cool

Wow!!   I really love it!!
I like playing Chet Atkins stuff on guitars like that.

Paul – looks quite excellent! I like the black gloss finish.

Whenever insomnia kicks if I just play a Benedetto video, I’ve yet to stay conscious and tend to get woken up when the VCR does the auto rewind

I gather the top is carved spruce? Did you bind the “f” holes as well with flamed maple?

Your bracing intrigues me, if I read your reply to Arnt correctly it sounds like you “X” braced it then have ?” x ?” parallel braces running from the neck to tail block? With all that bracing I am curious as to how it sounds acoustically. (Plugged in I’ll bet that baby wails with those TV Jones pick-ups).

Paul,

I think this guitar is definitely screaming for some of these:


from Guitar Bones

russ38889.5373148148

That thing definitely rocks.... add that to the list of 'things I gotta build someday'

Anthony, your tinking of the bracing is close. Think of it as you are but delete the parallel braces from the x to the tail block. So in other words, they are between the x braces and continue up to the neck block.
And yes the f holes are bound in flamed maple. YUCK!!!
Russ, I was thinking of chrome dice but I'm more of a "less is more" kind of guy. In fact, I'm thinking of turning a new set of knobs that are smaller than these existing ones.

Paul don't forget the cherry red. There's something about those Gretsch guitars that reminds me of '50s cars...I love that retro stuff.

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice

Oh, yeah, that's next. I've got the body done but didn't have time to get it wrapped before the show. This one is 4A curly maple so I'm going with a transparent cherry red. Think Country Gentelman.