Prostheta Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 As is traditional with me, another "slow" project. This won't be completed in a hurry, so i'll keep this thread alive with updates as they happen although it may be periodic. Design is simple. 24-fret 25.5" scale mahogany body with black/white binding and a carved camphor burl top. Bridge will be a TOM with string-through body ferrules rather than a stop tail. Two buckers. Bridge will be recessed to reduce the neck angle and string height. Headstock will be a 3 over 3 shape, which I haven't designed yet! It will probably be more "tradional" in style rather than an outre gothic-y looking thing. The neck will be either a one-piece flame maple construction with a scarfed head, or perhaps laminated. Headstock will be capped with a spare piece of camphor burl. Neck and headstock bound to match the body. Debating on what hardware colour to use, although I may decide this on what matches well with the binding. I am really into contrasts right now (as in the white Explorer with black hardware). Might go for no inlays on the neck, or "eyes" (Doug? heh). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avengers63 Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 I love the wood, but I'm not so hot on the shape. I AM a fan of the multi-layer binding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guernica Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 beautiful top, ..looks like leather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sthell Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 the shape is beautiful, the top too, i'm bookmarking this thread ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 I love it...I always loved that style of guitars...Also always though of using camphor burl...be careful to finish it well...I understand it is a skin irritant as well as corroding your hardware if it comes in direct contact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maiden69 Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 Looks just like Doug's Model 06 guitar but a little more crude, they say "imitation is the sincerest form of flattering" http://www.soulmateguitars.com/Chris%27s%2...006%20Burst.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 http://www.paganguitars.com/index.htm Before that it was Pagan's shape...don't know about before that,but it's been around a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maiden69 Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 (edited) Yeah, I think that Parable Guitars have one like that too. But that one is identical, from Pagan to Doug the lower part is changed. Edited May 20, 2009 by Maiden69 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 Well...it has become a standard shape in my estimation...likea strat is,but less well known for sure... but I loveit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RestorationAD Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 I like it. Can't wait for the finish... Our friend at soulmate should be flattered. I myself would like to build one (props Doug). Hopefully soon. How are your sinuses after working the Camphor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakhahn Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 I've been fascinated with this body design for some time. Maybe one of these days I will actually attempt a scratch build myself and use this type of design. That burl top looks great. I look forward to seeing this one done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted May 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 (edited) Yeah, I remember Doug's instrument - a beauty! Didn't Doug do a buckeye topped version too? For some reason, this shape with it's varying curves and angles suits burls and figured tops really well. Never had a problem with the camphor, RAD. It reminds me of Tiger Balm which I rub onto my shins if I egg them up at Muay Thai. My sinuses are unusually clear, as it turns out :-D http://www.paganguitars.com/index.htm Before that it was Pagan's shape...don't know about before that,but it's been around a while. Yes - C bouts have been around for a good 300-350 years since Amato, IIRC. The top looks rough because it isn't finished by any means! The transitions into the C bouts and from the beaks are pretty much all that I will leave, other than the obligatory finish sanding. I've established the level of the binding around the body, so now I can mark on the hardware footprints to maintain the flat areas (pickup rings, more than anything else) and start blending the larger area of the carve in more by hand. I actually started this project over a year and a half ago, as I wasn't confident enough with the binding due to the angles. I'm still not happy with the result really, but I can at least make it into a very playable and useful instrument nonetheless. I picked the project back up as I wanted to practice my multi-ply binding, carving and making hidden neck tenons with flush heels. Definitely a minor project to hone specific skills on. Edited May 20, 2009 by Prostheta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metalhead28 Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 Looks pretty bitchin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maiden69 Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 Hes done 2 with Buckeye Burl http://www.soulmateguitars.com/joes_06.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted May 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 (edited) Yeah, I remember seeing that one too. Really really nice work, which I wish I was at the level to do. Realistically, I would have done this whole body differently from the beginning given the choice. Still - it's better to leave something when you're not 100%, and pick it up later when you are more confident that you have the skills to make the end product you wanted in the first place....i've not burnt one guitar yet, but hell....I might indulge Drak by carbonising a couple of old s***ters. Hey look!! Biohazard markers. Awesome!! Edited May 20, 2009 by Prostheta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuntinDoug Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 Looks great Carl! My "violin" shape is more strat like: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted May 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 (edited) Hey Doug! I was wondering whether or not to use that 25.5" scale "eye" board you sent me on this one ;-D It's either that or i'm going to go for an IER board with no fret markers. I think either way, they'll both ebonise up nicely same as my EXP build. Edited May 21, 2009 by Prostheta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted May 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2009 UPDATE: Been glueing up the neck blank today. I've factored in a 13° scarf and used some quartersawn bubinga and flame maple. The maple's grain was ~45° to the QS bubinga, so I cut it in half and flipped one piece to get the best flame out of the maple through the neck carve. The grain looks somewhat like this: [/////|||||\\\\\] I've been browsing the net for headstock inspiration, and the closest I can find is banjo headstocks with miniature C bouts, although they wouldn't suit a 3 over 3 tuning peg arrangement very easily. Plenty of time to decide this in the meantime. I better go find some more camphor burl for the headcap on that note.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chops1983 Posted May 25, 2009 Report Share Posted May 25, 2009 Sounds good! Make sure you post up some pics for us, now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pukko Posted May 25, 2009 Report Share Posted May 25, 2009 I've been browsing the net for headstock inspiration, and the closest I can find is banjo headstocks with miniature C bouts, although they wouldn't suit a 3 over 3 tuning peg arrangement very easily. Plenty of time to decide this in the meantime. I better go find some more camphor burl for the headcap on that note.... How about taking a violin headstock, look at it from the side so you see the scroll, and make that the headstock shape? Kind of like the Stauffer headstock on old Martins, but maybe not so long, more detailed and adapted for 3+3 tuners if that's what you're going for? That would keep the violin theme going. Like this: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/images/h2/h2_1979.380a.jpg Or you could just go full on Ampeg or Burns scroll style... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted May 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2009 Thanks Pukko - I was considering turning the tuners 90° and having a slotted headstock as it would offer the chance to have layers of veneer "revealed" in the leading slope into the slots. Kind of like this: ...it turns out the tuners I have wouldn't work as well as I would hope, after I mocked up a design in CAD. Still, plenty of time to work on ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted May 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2009 Actually, I suppose it's do-able, but I don't like the string paths as i'm planning on using a zero fret and a roller bridge. Ideally I need straight string pulls otherwise the break angle over the nut to the tuner posts will be the force keeping the string in line.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWishICouldShred Posted May 26, 2009 Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 (edited) I haven't been on PG in a couple of months, but I checked the site on a whim tonight. My first build is nearing completion and I started on my 2nd build this week. Guess what it is? Camphor burl and mahogany, with a doublecut violin shape. So naturally this is the first thread I clicked on. If mine turns out half this nice, I'll be stoked! Maybe I'll start a thread soon to show it off, but all I've got done right now is the neck-thru segment. But seriously, what a coincidence! Edited May 26, 2009 by IWishICouldShred Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted May 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 Hahaha...!! Awesome. That's fodder for the conspiracy nuts out there....i better start setting tinfoil hats in the classifieds :-D Fingerboard (thanks Doug!): (i'm more likely than as not to use chromed pickup rings on this one...) Neck blank (flame maple/QS bubinga) showing the heel position: (the flame looks inequal due to the incidence of light, but it's not) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted May 27, 2009 Report Share Posted May 27, 2009 loving the evil eyes! the binding/purfling matches the body nicely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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