FIrst scratch build strung up!

[mike-p]

Hi All.

I've actually finished a guitar! My first was a KMG kit which is finished but sitting mocking me for not having sprayed it yet. I'm waiting for some help from a friend of a friend with the nitro spraying. (That kit was really my first experience at woodworking, this build being my second) Meanwhile, with help from Bob Matthews, regular contributor on this forum, and my uncle I have constructed a second and finished it with Tru-oil. This one is for my Mum, she saw it yesterday and is very pleased, she's taking possesion today and I'm going away for two months and will do some final touches (decal and waterslide logo etc.) and set-up when i get back and the guitar has had a chance to settle. Anyway, details, I followed the grellier plan pretty closely, including the 5mm thick braces (gulp!) but shifted everything down for a 12 fret neck joint and added a second, chunkier shoulder brace. Bob helped me with the neck joint, thicknessing and side bending, neck joint and general advice on most points. Obviously Ken and all the helpful people on this forum have been great, thanks all.

Spec.

Top - AA cedar finished at around 3.2mm
Bracing - Alpine spruce
Back and sides - reclaimed mahogany
Side reinforcement - cloth
Neck - mahogany, stacked heel and scarf joint
Neck and heel blocks - Mahogany
Kerfing - spanish cedar
Bridge, Fretboard, headstock veneer and end wedge - Ebony
Binding - plastic
Nut, saddle and bridge pins - Bone
Tuners - Sta-Tite
Finish Tru-Oil, no pore filling
Neck joint, bolt on butt joint

So the important bit is that it sounds great, really just liked i'd planned/expected, couldn't believe it when i strung it up! The whole body vibrates like nobody's business when played loud, the tone is rich, plenty of bass, open and dry with no shimmery overtones. You can feel the whole instrument jump when you dig in on the lower strings.

I'm a bit worried i've built it too lightly, it's got 12 gauge on now but I've asked my Mum to watch out for any lifting/ bellying and to go down to lower gauge strings if any sign.

I'll try to post a video/ recording but my internet is pretty poor and takes an age to upload anything anywhere.

[Tim Benware]

Really nice. Love the pick guard which gives it a 60's look to me.

[Kevin in California]

Now Mike, she looks great.
We would love to hear it sometime too.
Great job.

Kevin

[John Parchem]

Mike, the guitar looks great! Congratulations on completing such a good looking guitar.

[Dave Bagwill]

Very nice, Mike!! It looks like something a fella would want to just pick up and play. Congrats!!

[mike-p]

Thanks guys, means a lot to me. Pictures should fit the screen now I think.

[ken cierp]

Very nice!

Did you do whole 9 yards - neck, finger-board, bending etc.?

Sound clips are always cool.