Myka Guitars Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 This is the latest to come out of the new shop (which is coming along nicely btw). The guitar was originally an experiment to see what we would get if we used traditional acoustic woods in a new way with an electric instrument. Using a piece of Madagascar rosewood for the neck, fingerboard, bridge, and tailpiece that left the spruce for the body. Since this was to be an oil finished instrument we decided to put a veneer of something harder on the back and sides for protection hence the Claro walnut. The body is 1-1/2" thick and has 3/4" chambers from the back with a solid 4" wide center section. The top is carved to 1/4" over the chambers. The spruce is a bit heavier than I expected it be but overall the guitar is much lighter than it looks (the lack of soundholes has something to do with it). The tone is very clear and articulate with a definite bark to it. The dense neck material attached to the lighter weight body makes for some excellent resonance and sustain. You can hear the full harmonic spectrum of the notes with this one. And thanks to the Lollar pickups it all makes it to the amp. This was a really cool project and I will be making some more using these concepts (lightweight body/heavy neck). It really works well. Here's a pic: For more pics click here. ~David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikhailgtrski Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 Wow, nice work as usual, David! And I like the new avatar... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myka Guitars Posted November 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 Wow, nice work as usual, David! And I like the new avatar... Thanks! So when are you coming for a shop visit? We are having an opening in the building where I have my new shop on Saturday, December 8th. There are 28 studios here with a variety of artists and mediums. I should have at least 4 guitars finished for the show. You should stop by. ~David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikhailgtrski Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 We are having an opening in the building where I have my new shop on Saturday, December 8th. Sounds cool - PM me the details? I'd love to visit your shop... and if you have a place to play (loud) I can bring my HIWATT clone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElysianGuitars Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 holy crap, i don't know that i've ever said this on this board, but that thing is stunning! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikester Posted November 2, 2007 Report Share Posted November 2, 2007 Wow!! That looks amazing!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougK Posted November 2, 2007 Report Share Posted November 2, 2007 holy crap, i don't know that i've ever said this on this board, but that thing is stunning! Absolutely, love every single part of that guitar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zyonsdream Posted November 2, 2007 Report Share Posted November 2, 2007 Yup, excellent work! Not a thing I would want to see different on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackdog Posted November 2, 2007 Report Share Posted November 2, 2007 I love your work. That's a superb guitar !! BTW how does it balance ?? Is it neck heavy ?? Eventually I'd like to build something with approx that form factor and also semihollow, but thought that a rosewood neck would be too heavy for the project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myka Guitars Posted November 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2007 BTW how does it balance ?? Is it neck heavy ?? Eventually I'd like to build something with approx that form factor and also semihollow, but thought that a rosewood neck would be too heavy for the project. Like everything it depends on a number of aspects of the design you are working. The weight of the wood is a big factor but also the placement of the horns, how much it is hollowed, how many frets (how far the neck extends past the body) all make a difference. The weight of the spruce body on this one was still pretty significant at 14-1/2" wide and 2-1/4" thick. Rosewood necks are said to be very heavy but most of my rosewood stock is no heavier than maple and some choice pieces are as light as mahogany. Just be careful which piece you use. Cocobolo is the only rosewood that seems to always be heavy and dense (qualities that make this wood an excellent choice for a neck) but I still use it all the time without problems. It is all in the balance of elements in your design and the specific of the materials you are using. Hardware choices are also important. Remember that you will have pickup weight that will add to the body weight. Also try using lighter tuners like Sperzels, Waverly, or the Locking Hipshots. These are all lighter than most standard electric guitar tuners. ~David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xanthus Posted November 3, 2007 Report Share Posted November 3, 2007 Awesome job, David! I really like the concept and th finished product. The spec list only lists the 3 concentric knobs, what is the fourth knob for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myka Guitars Posted November 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2007 The spec list only lists the 3 concentric knobs, what is the fourth knob for? Master volume. ~David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAGGOTBRAIN Posted November 3, 2007 Report Share Posted November 3, 2007 That is Beautiful!... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awilcox Posted November 4, 2007 Report Share Posted November 4, 2007 That is one nice guitar! The thing I like about your guitars is that they are very original. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 Dude.... all I can say is.... SEXY GUITAR!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evtim Djerekarov Posted November 15, 2007 Report Share Posted November 15, 2007 Can you post some sound samples of it? I'm very curious about how it sounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capello Posted November 16, 2007 Report Share Posted November 16, 2007 (edited) i really,really like your guitar! a nice example of wood work!!!! great! Edited November 16, 2007 by capello Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPA or death Posted November 16, 2007 Report Share Posted November 16, 2007 Fantastic work as usual. How do you cut the control cavity from the body so cleanly and match it perfectly to it's surrounding wood? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evtim Djerekarov Posted November 17, 2007 Report Share Posted November 17, 2007 (edited) What kind of executable is that, and why are you posting it here? Mods...?!? Edited November 17, 2007 by Maiden69 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myka Guitars Posted November 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2007 Can you post some sound samples of it? This was a commissioned project and I do not have the guitar anymore. If my client gets some sound clips recorded I will be sure to post them. How do you cut the control cavity from the body so cleanly and match it perfectly to it's surrounding wood? This body is solid spruce with a 3/32" veneer of walnut. I cut the control cavity by drilling a small hole and inserting a scroll saw blade through it. I then carefully cut the perimeter of the cavity out of the back veneer. The cavity and cover were then routed to shape with my standard router templates. It is a tedious process to make sure that the cut is exactly on the line so that the router cleans the edge perfectly but the end result is worth it. ~David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregP Posted November 17, 2007 Report Share Posted November 17, 2007 I'm always surprised when people request a triple-humbucker solution. That aside, if I were lucky enough to own it, you'd have to pry it out of my cold, dead fingers. Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix_rising Posted November 17, 2007 Report Share Posted November 17, 2007 Not bad! I like. Keep up the good work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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