Martin O sized Koa guitar (last construction step!)

[John Parchem]

I have been a little distracted working on my bass, but little by little on the parlor I have been leveling the zpoxy, fillings small gaps and I finish sanded the top cleaning a few dings and the like. Actually I finally got the nerve to try my new spray gun. With the completed shop with piped in air, I call Jeff Jewitt at Homested brush (highly recommended). I described what I do, the finishes I use and my compressor and he suggested the QS-125QB. It is a small gun but it sure sprays like a dream. I was quickly able to dial in the amount of finish and the spray pattern. I managed for the first time to spray 4 very even coats, with virtually no orange peel and no drips. I am spraying Stewmac Colortone water base. I have heard that it is basically EM6000. The is my 4th guitar from a gallon I bought a year ago.

[TonyinNYC]

That looks great John!

[Tim Benware]

I just sprayed a 59 Fender Duo-Sonic with EM6000. First time I used water base and it came out beautiful (of course I forgot to take final pics, I'm so bad taking pics). I may not use nitro again except touch-up repairs. The near lack of fumes is great.

[John Parchem]

Tim,

This is my third guitar that I am using the EM6000 waterbase. I really like it. I sprayed Nitro once around my house. The guitar came out great, but I had to finish outside. One day I sprayed and my wife had her office Window open. Yup! water base for me:)

I finished the last coats last Sunday, so I should be able to start buffing it out this weekend. I ended up with 16 coats on the back and sides with eight on the top and neck. I leveled every 4 coats. It only took a very light sanding the last two times I leveled. I really like my new spray gun. I got so that I could dial in the thickness that I wanted. No bubbles or drips but enough finish that it could level out. The pictures are from the next day after it dried. I did polished out the neck as I finished spraying it last week. It was perfect but I cracked the finish a tiny bit pounding in the bushings. Oh well plenty of time to slowly build up a repair with the WB lacquer.

[Bob Matthews]

That looks fantastic John, can't wait to see it finished :-)

[Ken Hundley]

John....beautiful looking guitar! Love the spray setup as well! As far as the bushings are concerned...I put them in before I cut the tenon....It helps to have the wood mass around the tenon when stressing the wood with the inserts. Then I can cut it and carve the neck. Just a thought. Can't wait to see how this one comes together.

[John Parchem]

I am getting so close. I still need to glue on the bridge and make the nut and saddle. Today I polished the top, checked the neck angle before I glued it on. The neck angle ended up right where I wanted with the smallest bit of fall off. When I set the frets I ended up not having to sand them level and re-crown as the fretboard was dead level when I stared and the frets all set well. Ended for a this afternoon or I will start rushing.