#19 Completed

[Kevin in California]

I wrapped up this guitar today. Fit the bridge pins, made and fit the saddle and nut with bleached cattle bone. Put in the ebony end pin.
Placed the pickguard. Installed the Taylor tuning machines. And strung her up with Earthwood Lights.

This is the first time I got the action nearly perfect on the first try so that amazed me. It plays nicely and sounds full and warm. This is for me.

The finish looks good but has some issues; a few of those tiny Shiney spots....places that needed a bit more wet sanding to remove.
Also, when I first buffed using the RA sander I put some swirls in the top that I didn't see even after first buffing on the machine. I looked closely for imperfections and missed them. I just decided to let these things go since I'll be playing it, not giving it away.

Also while string it up, I had the 3rd string bridge pin pop out(never had Thad happen before). The string ball was not seated properly and at high tension it popped out, fly up and back down hitting the top and putting 2 small dents in the finish below the bridge. Arg! Again. I'm not fretting about it. Ha I'm showing that I've matured about being so finicky in my old age.

Anyway I'm happy with the guitar overall. I think it will open up some over time but it is very nice for finger picking.

Here's the stats:

Claro Walnut Back and Sides
Redwood top
Curly maple binding with plastic BWBW purfling.
Abalone rosette
Curly Koa end graft. Ebony heel plate
Spanish cedar scarf joint and stacked heel neck
Ebony headplate, fretboard and bridge. Abalone dot fret markers.
Gold frets, gold Taylor tuners.

Thanks for the encouragement to all during this build.
Now I'll concentrate on finishing the Archtop guitar.

[John Parchem]

Gorgeous! Always good to have a new guitar to play.

[Herman]

Nice Kev! Redwood and walnut make sweet sounding guitars. I bet yours will be just fine in time. The redwood guitar I finished a half year ago now opens up. In the beginning I was not completely overwhelmed, but now I am beginning to fall in love with this one. Obviously this Redwood also needs some time to adjust. (thought it would be instant good, like Cedar, but not this piece)
Herman

[peter havriluk]

Just gorgeous!

[Geocoucou79]

Very nice guitar! Good job!

[Carl Dickinson]

Another beauty! Kevin, you make nice guitars.

[Kenny Wiebusch]

Great looking guitar. I have wanted to build a walnut-redwood guitar.