american_jesus Posted July 7, 2005 Report Share Posted July 7, 2005 man...that thing is looking awesome. as i said earlier, i can't wait to see this one done and see another started with "better" woods. i'd still pick up that thing and play it if i saw it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald k wilson Posted July 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2005 Thanks again A_J I want this guitar to say pick me up... I put the final coat on today!!! The humidity has been wicked and spirit varnishes don't dry in humid weather. Sometimes the third day for recoat. Like I said, never again. With any luck pics of final assembly this weekend. Next guitar is in the works, I may actually have a buyer. (fingers crossed) thanks for all the kind words, dkw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald k wilson Posted July 17, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2005 (edited) ALMOST THERE!!! The tools of the trade. This is an antique finish, spirit varnish (with oil varnish not urethane) multiple coats, I think 10, sanded and padded into one another for build. Final sand with 800 grit on a foam backed pad to knock down the nubs then 3 grades of pumice/rottenstone with a felt block. Pumice works really well, cuts quickly, stays with the surface irregularities better than sandpaper and doesn't clog or gum. Final polish with Norton microfiber tack cloth and swirl remover hand glaze of your choice I use (Meguiars sp?) rub polish with a pad and finish off with tack cloth. It doesnt take that long to work up by hand, I can control the surface and don't burn thru. The varnish is still soft at this stage. I do all this on the cradle which is mounted on a lazy susan, this lets me rotate the guitar all around instead of me, and keep all the working surfaces in good light as I work. The final finish is beautiful, it glows, not a machine blasted gloss, but like I said, TIME, TIME, TIME! The work table is a 1935 Dodge stationwagon, entirely your option... Edited July 17, 2005 by donald k wilson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald k wilson Posted July 17, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2005 (edited) And into the final stretch, I wondered if I'd ever get here! Gluing the neck dovetail. I did this last night, I'll have strings on it later today. I should probably wait but I CAAAN'T STAAAND IIIT... I've got to play it. Edited July 17, 2005 by donald k wilson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gun Posted July 17, 2005 Report Share Posted July 17, 2005 WOW that looks great!!! Go on man!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocksolid Posted July 18, 2005 Report Share Posted July 18, 2005 I've been following this thread all the way through, this guitar is awsome! Keep up the good work and post pics when you get those strings on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald k wilson Posted July 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2005 here are a couple of teasers. I got the strings on and am now setting it up... neck has to move, strings and tailpiece have to settle in then bridge/nut final ht and intonation. none the less I played it for a couple of hours as everything was settling in last night. What a BLAST!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald k wilson Posted July 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2005 peghead with my initials carved at the top. I'll do some better pics when everything is all set. Thanks for all the encouragement and enthusiasm, I'm not done here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay5 Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Wow, turned out awesome Donald! Can't wait to see what you do next! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jer7440 Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Looking really great Donald! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Man, that looks really nice. I wish my luthiery skills were that good. ;-; Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i-j-c Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 This guitar looks awesome...very nice work indeed. I love the grain on the top...and the procedures you used have given me some excellent tips..great build man... If my current 335 comes out half as good as yours, I will be happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gun Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Very very nice!!! Cheers Donald Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald k wilson Posted July 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Thanks everyone, this has been a great project and the forum has been a cool place to be, (thanks Jay5). jer, keep going with the cnc we haven't scratched the surface. (no pun intended) i-j-c, I love 335's I'm thinking of a travel guitar, I just checked out your post yesterday, looks great. Final pics of this guitar in a few days after everything settles down, I'll do some detail shots. Thanks again everyone. dkw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jer7440 Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 jer, keep going with the cnc we haven't scratched the surface I didn't scratch it, I gouged the crap out of it! But seriously I'm going to move on to cutting my neck while I save up for a new top. Working on a logo inlay as well, so... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CudBucket Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Wow! That's beautiful! You did that so fast and I'm still finishing a stupid solid body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald k wilson Posted September 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 Alright then! as promised here are some "real" pictures of the "finished" guitar. About a month of settling in, second set of strings, broken trussrod, (crap import!) and new fretboard. I have it dialed in now, action is very low like an electric, Daddario phosphor bronse 10's. Very responsive to different playing styles with good projection and full sound. It took longer to settle down than I expected but I made the neck very "thin" for a friend with small hands to try for size. I couldn't have hoped this would sound any better, I was prepared for disaster every step of the way. (I even got a couple!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald k wilson Posted September 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 The back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jer7440 Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 Wow, Donald that really looks great. Nice work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald k wilson Posted September 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 The binding and neck cantilever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald k wilson Posted September 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 The bridge, old school two post adjustable fretwire saddle, it really rings. Wooden tailpiece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald k wilson Posted September 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 Peghead back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald k wilson Posted September 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 And front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
american_jesus Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 donald, that is beautiful. i'd love to get a chance to play that...can't wait to watch what you come up with after this one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald k wilson Posted September 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 Thanks again for all your interest and support. Its nice to see that on an electric guitar site all you shredders can appreciate a vintage acoustic jazz box. As I said, I'm not done here. see you, dkw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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