jmrentis

Oh man, very nice as per usual. Buffer post, lets see some more pics! J

@jmrentis: Of course I knew you were joking. Now that description you make about the belly carve sounds interesting, but can't seem to picture t in my head. Got any pictures of that ??

I don't have any decent ones, but I will get some maybe tonigh and get you one here soon, just as an idea. Its too difficult to explain well, but as I said, I really found it very comfortable, more so than a standard belly cut. How it looks and and how difficult it will be to finish remains to be seen, but shouldn't be bad I don't think. Again, great looking build, those pics definitely display your skills. Get you a pic soon hopefully. Jason

Yeah I know what you mean about rosewood necks, I have the same idea for my next neck. Rosewood w/ziricote fretboard with curly maple binding

What a great gift for your son, that is very neat. I'm sure he'll treasure it. I hope you know I was joking btw, I realize now I should have added a smiley or left off the seriously, though that guitar might temp me to throw ethics out the window, lol. Anyhow, very nice work. Looking back I read you mention a dilemma I went through about belly carve or not. I really needed one due to my design just wouldn't have been comfortable, but it was tricky with the heavy chambering. I ended up doing this rolling belly carve (tough to explain) and honestly it is even more comfortable than any standard belly carve that I have felt and I have no idea why. Glad I did it, but it was a gamble for sure. Again, nice work. Jason

Sounds like a solid plan. As zyon was saying when stepping outside the traditional you will often turn many off. As zyon did, I think you either keep it fairly traditional or go completely different, either way seems to work, but changing one or two details often looks off. Anyhow, sounds like a solid plan and I look forward to seeing how it comes out. I really liked your last project a lot. Best of luck with it and be sure to keep us posted.

Zyon, how did you like the bridge on that guitar? Its what I am about to put on, I like the looks, though I swapped out for some tone pros locking posts because I'd end forgetting and dropping the bridge on some concrete at some point. Just curious on your thoughts on it. J

Holy Mother Of Pearl! That is one beautiful looking carve!!! Looking excellent especially for a mock up, can't wait to see it finished. Very well done and great choices on everything.

Yeah if I were you I would find some quality picture of fire and tell the customer your shop burnt down along with their guitar and you will be starting a fresh one for them, that way you can keep this one, seriously!

How does snakewood bend? I don't know if I've ever heard much on this and was curious, especially with you binding the body and doing a backplate which I'd assume will bend over a volute. I've checked out logs of the stuff and small stock, but never used it, though I wish to at some point. Very attractive wood. You should turn some snakewood knobs with any left over scrap!LOL. Very nice work Chris, seriously looks amazing. Of course, although it doesn't even need to be said, as with the others I'm fully jealous of where you are working and with whom. Keep those pics coming. J

Is that a new picture? It looks the same. Its too tough to see whats going on. If you have a fairly update camera you might have a macro option this will let you take up close pictures much more easily, just fyi. What happened anyways, trying to glue the nut on and spilt some CA. I hope you didn't get any CA on the truss rod threads, might make things miserable for you. Anyhow, best of luck.

Trust me I went back and forth on grabbing it from you, just came up at the worst time. I just started my Bachelors and I am moving this weekend or early next week and have to pay prorated rent, deposits and everything else, not to mention buy stuff I will need for the place. If its still here when I bounce back I will pick it up from you and I'll even do an attempt at a tutorial, I even have some scraps off my body wood which is zebrawood. It actually surprises me that no one has grabbed it from you, its a great opportunity to get started on a project, especially since its got such nice woods. I wanted it for that reason and for the body shape, I'd probably use it to make a template as well. My next project was probably either a single or double cut more than likely, so it would have been cool. I'll bet it will sell soon, but if it doesn't when I can I'll grab it. J

That idea came to mind, but then look at the pickup routes, they would then have to be filled and rerouted along with the screw holes for those pickups, which is why I suggested doing the neck pocket over again, it would be easier and it would keep the center line of the project in place and maintain a symmetrical look. Besides being less work, I don't think it would show badly, the pocket itself isn't really out of place, its just the angle and its only off so very little, in rerouting it, it would have the smallest amount of patch showing. Anyhow, just how I saw. The stain is a good idea for helping cover the patches either way, good idea. Plus it would look cool, I'm sure. J

Thats is one mistake that I see constantly, people trying to get into building because they want a nice guitar for cheaper than it would cost at the store and it doesn't really work out that way. The only reasons I would build them is either the enjoyment of the actual building or as for a business, but even then that business is not one many will survive in. I don't make much money, so it has been 2 years or more of saving up and buying tools and I am still missing several that would make life so much easier. My bandsaw was my first real tool purchase and mine was definitely one of the less expensive 14", but I'm extremely happy with my grizzly extreme saw. I got it on a decent sale, so with freight maybe around $500-$600 with the little moving stand that I needed.

I already had a belt sander. I had a cheapo mini drill press, but it wouldn't reach drilling my bridge posts, so I had to buy a bigger one. A 12" Delta that has treated me well, again got it on sale with tax less than $150 I believe. Before that I wanted to buy myself a router fixed/plunge base combo and after researching and checking them all out I grabbed the hitachi set which I wouldn't trade for any other at this point, very happy with that purchase. Probably got away with that at around $175 maybe a little less. Rockler router table w/mounting plate on sale for $100. I also have my Hitachi jigsaw which again is an absolutely amazing tool, had all the features I wanted and just works great. That was probably another $100, if you couldn't get a bandsaw, a jigsaw like that Hitachi will do most anything you need and do it well. In wood it has over a 4 inch cutting capacity, thats better than some small bandsaws, lol. I also have some little finish sanders that I got pretty cheap. Already had an oldschool table saw that is a pain to pull out and use. Will probably fix it up in the future. Already had a dremel, though I needed the router base for doing inlays which was another $30+ plus, bits which can run $9 or $10 depending on the type you want. However, there are places you can buy bits like those for way cheaper.

Thats pretty much it for powertools, I think, but I am missing a couple important ones, mainly a jointer and either a planer of thickness sander. I'd rather have the thickness sander. Add up those 2 and that will be about another grand if I go cheap. I would also like a decent oscilating spindle sander. As for hand tools, they add up much quicker than you'd imagine and I still haven't even made a collection yet. There files, rasps, chisel, spokeshaves, hand planes, scrapers, burnishers, and many more. A quality straight edge will cost you quite a bit, I have my eye on a nice 18" Starrett with one beveled edge for under $60 at homedepot online right now. Then I also am looking to grab a diamond fretfile, probably the straight longer version Stewmac sells. A local shop uses these and have had no issues and quite like them. Those are what $70-$80 a piece. Then there are nut files, which I don't have. Don't forget clamps which can add up pretty quick. I tend to go cheap here and get the harbor freight clamps on sale for super cheap, seem to work fine, though I make extra pads for them usually. You'll need glue, loads of sandpaper, quite a few bits. Even if you buy a proper set, they often won't have all the sizes you need, a number of different pieces of hardware use strange sized holes, so you'll be buying extras. For hogging out cavities you'll want some forstner bits, for other holes you'll want some bradpoints. Heck, I went and bought a high quality bradpoint the other day at Rockler and it was quite a difference in quality and cost a bit more, something like $4 I think just for the one, but it did a great job and I'll probably buy more of these, very nice. Don't forget router bits, one or two pattern bits for cavities, a bit for truss rods, one or two bits for routing the body according to a template, maybe another straight bit or two for use in your router sled jig, maybe a round over or bevel bit for the edges of the guitar, and possibly a cove bit for doing recess for the volume and tone knobs.

That stuff doesn't even include any finishing material, like a respirator, HPLV gun, compressor, different sanding blocks, cork for lining sanding blocks or for padding clamps and such. And there is still a bunch of stuff I am forgetting. This is just tools, don't forget that this doesn't include the stuff you'll need to build with. Like the wood for the guitar and all the hardware which can range from $200-$300 up to probably $800-$1000 depending. You'll also need stuff like MDF to make templates, a work bench and area with storage. A dust collection system or a mean shopvac, some dust masks, loads of tape for taping stuff off on the guitar. Different chemicals for cleaning tools, diluting finishing materials and such. Maybe a heat gun for certain applications. A soldering iron for the electronics. All types of different cutters, pliers, flush cutters.

And don't forget the most important a decent medical plan! Seriously, you're bound to open up a vein at some point.

Needless to say it adds up super quick and before you know it you've spent thousands easy. If I had the money and space I would probably see about $4000-$5000 being everything I wanted as a hobbiest, I say as a hobbiest because if you were doing this as a profession you are going to want to buy a much higher quality set of equipment that can manage more because a saw like mine, although decent wouldn't last very long in constant abuse, you'd definitely have to upgrade and that price would go up. Anyhow, it can cost quite a bit to build. You can get away with a limited amount of tools, but you are limiting the options on the guitar and also increasing your building time significantly, which if you are doing this as a business is going to hurt your business in a serious way. Anyhow, that is a fuller list of the stuff you'll need and there is still many more things, like if you want to use epoxy and carbon fiber rods in your necks and so on. The best way is just buy it as you go, obviously grab the basics, a drill press, router and either a decent jigsaw or a bandsaw. Some type of belt sander or stationary type of sander would be a great help also. Then see what you need as you go.

It will take a good long while to get this back because aside from the cost, you have to build a number before even thinking about building on comission. You can sell all of them I'm sure, but it takes a bit to build a rep enough to get a reasonable pay for your work. Just how I see it anyway, too many people try to rush in and do major comissions right off and end up irritating people and ruining any future chance as a decent business.

Thats too bad of a fix Avenger. I know you don't want anything to do with and I understand the feeling no doubt. All you'd really have to do is fill the neck pocket and reroute it so the neck is tilted slightly more to the left. Looking at the top of the neck the string spacing from the fretboard edge is really close, looks fine if the neck was just tilted slightly right. You could find some zebra to use here, but honestly the wood use would only show a little, any similarly colored wood would probably be fine. As I said, it would show slightly, but nothing too bad. For selling it, you'd probably not find the price you would normally because of the minor defect, but you'd get more money out of it than selling it like this I'm sure. I'm very tempted to grab it myself, but I have a lot going on right now, but again, it wouldn't be too bad to fix, just fill the pocket and reroute it. Best of luck. It is a great looking guitar! Jason

Did you check out the pencil sections?! Wow. All the sections are great to look at, I can't imagine having that kind of talent. The pencil stuff really blew me away, though I think the painting stuff was even more impressive especially after seeing what goes into it, plus in painting not only is the details difficult, but you have to get the colors right, which is a whole other skill set. I though the paint board setup was kinda cool, definitely much easier to work using that than learning over and trying to angle the gun and getting a sore neck. Cool stuff, the whole site is great. J

Wow is all i can say! Just had a look on your website and went through the process of the reeper guitar and the detail is just amazing! Well done foggy! i love this pirate guitar by the way.

Thats the same one I checked out when I was going through the site. I just looked how well documented the process was. Usually, when projects are broken down well for me I find them to be much easier than I would have imagined, however in this case it was the exact opposite. The Reaper/Ouija board one had great detail and it blew me away how many steps and layers have to be done in order to get that look, just incredible, then I just took another look at this guitar and it blew me away even more, I'd imagine it took much longer and many more steps to get this one done right, so much details in every part and so well colored. Simply amazing! I cannot wait to see the next project, I don't care if it takes a year its well worth the wait to see such a great finished project. Again, well done! Keep us posted on all works you finish. Jason

You should get in contact with Craig Lavin, member Clavin here and do a project with him. Oh man I couldn't even imagine how killer the completed work would be with you guys doing the guitar and finish and Craig doing some crazy inlay scene on the neck. Especially the underwater scenes, both of you seem to do so well. Anyhow, it would definitely be a wild idea.

Plus, I don't see any finish sticking to wax, so that would be the only product you could use on your guitar. J

I dunno, the only thing that comes to mind is that the carve itself is not deep enough. See what the others think, but that is what my eye sees, I could be way off or it could just be the angle of the pics I don't know really. Still a nice looking guitar. Best of luck with it. Jason

Wow, seriously amazing artwork, I can't believe how nice it looks. This blue background is such a great color, it really sets off everything else in the picture, very cool. One thing I thought would have been cool would have been to have the gun tilted downward a bit more, then you could have done like a bullet hole inlay at the 12th fret or something, that would have been pretty neat and tied it all in, though with your imagination and ability, I'm sure you have a millions time better ideas. Excellent work, seriously, just amazing artwork. Man, I couldn't even draw a decent stick figure if I spent hours trying, stuff like this blows me away. The back is super sick, the ghost ship just barely visible is just incredible. Wow. J

I actually had the same exact problem a little while back. One way to help hide this a bit, is add a cap to the headstock and cut only a small opening for truss adjustment. Its pretty easy especially since the top of the headstock is flat. I also had painted the area black before capping it. Painting was a new idea, capping was the original plan. Worked out alright, still I will be using a truss rod cover, but now you can't really tell there was ever a mistake or tear out there. Anyhow, just an idea, though I'm sure there are many better ones. Best of luck Matt and look forward to seeing this new project. Jason

Yeah, each spammers account is banned for life and the IP address is noted and eventually blocked altogether. It doesn't stop them from starting the process over and making new accounts until the address is blocked. That is pretty much all we can do on this end I believe. I know how you feel, that is the last thing you'd want your kid to click on when looking around for guitars. As for the site, I doubt there is any true way to get them because they'd likely deny that they hired these people to spam their sites, ya know. That would be my guess anyway. Anyhow, that is why Brian and some of the other mods suggested adding a couple more mods to help get rid of the spam so its not sitting there for too long of period of time.

I delived pizzas for a while for a pizza place, it was a bit different than your average pizza delivery, more of a restaurant inside that had delivery as well. Never had a more enjoyable job. I just had a blast, driving around all night, blaring my favorite radio station or CD. I could swing by the store if I needed something or whatever. My job was fairly relaxed or my boss was at least, but I was busy all night. On a Friday or Saturday, I would work usually by myself and make around $100. Mind you it took me a while to get quick enough to be able to work alone. Those nights I'd take 25-35 deliveries generally. Those nights you'll usually find the best tippers and bigger orders which usually means a bigger tip. As I was saying, I just enjoyed the job, plus it kept me in shape as probably 25%+ of my deliveries would be in the massive apartment complex down the street that was 3 stories no elevator and almost all would be on the third floor.

On the other hand at Home Depot maybe you could get some type of employee discount once in a while and pick some tools that you would need for starting your projects, so that might be worth it. Neither job sounds that bad to get some cash together to build some guitars. I wish you the best of luck and keep us posted on whether or not you get in to RV. Jason

Hey Wizard, great to have you aboard and I'm sure you'll find a lot of great help and info on the site. Like you I spent a long time just lurking before I ever signed up. Maybe 8 months or more, just reading all I could and I continued reading for even longer while I waited to save money and move to a place where I could build. Its obvious you already have the bug and when you start it will no doubt get worse, you'll live and breath nothing but guitars.

Anyhow, welcome to PG and look forward to seeing some future projects and of course some pics from RV when you go. Just an FYI, I saw your first few posts last night and was no doubt in full agreement with your feelings on that spam. In case you don't know this, when you find some spam like that, on the bottom left of that post is the button titled "Report" and you can click that and write in the word Spam and send it off. This message goes via personal message to one of the moderators and they can they delete. This is the best way to get them out of there quickly. Once you do that, it is also helpful if you go back to that spam and make a response that says, "reported" or "reported to moderator" or something of this nature. It basically prevents the same spam getting reported numerous times and flooding and filling the inboxes. You probably know all this since you have been here reading, but in case you haven't, just wanted to give you the heads up. Usually they stick to the off topics section where not nearly as many members run into them, but last night and recently I have been finding them in other forums again.

Well, great to have you, enjoy! Jason

Even with a good bit I would place a piece of scrap wood or mdf underneath the headstock as you drill to prevent chip out as it comes out the back. With a high quality bit and going slow it is still possible that it could happen, I always try to do this just in case. Anyhow, I agree with the posters grab a high quality brad point and use it on a drill press with a piece of wood underneath, it makes things nice and easy. There is this saying that I've heard, it may sound crazy but its true. Sharpness is safety. Meaning the sharper your tools the safer they are. Crazy right? But its definitely true.

yeh, sorry about the mahogany, but if god wanted natural finish guitars he wouldn't have invented the 80's.

After the tru oil sealing applied vareigated gold leaf - not real gold but I think its copper or brass thats heated to give the colouration. Then a couple of coates of clear or it oxidizes, then a swirl in black & clear - standard platicote enamel 'little pots' - the only thing I've ever tried. No borax just pour into a storage box full of water & dip, then some more clear, just auto spray cans from halfords (UK)

This is a description of what he used I believe from the earlier in the thread. As with everyone else, this guitar just blew me away, the finish is just unreal and I think the shape is actually an important factor, the smooth flowing shape makes that finish look way better than it would have with sharp edges I think. Just unbelievable. When I saw this thread I couldn't believe that I hadn't really seen guitars much like it. The idea of a clear and black swirl blew me away and gave me loads of ideas. Ideas I'll probably never do because I don't like paint much, but if I ever do some paint, this will be the influence. Truly an amazing finish! Can't wait to see what else you'll create in the future. Glad to have you as apart of this forum. J

Those are the ones I'm looking to get as soon as my tires show any sign of wear. I think rockler has them for my 14" right now for like $25 for a pair which seems like a deal to me, considering when I first looked at them, I think they were close to that price each. I like the idea of no glue and easy install. I just put my new woodslicer on the other day and new high performance spring, wheewwee make a world of difference, the tension guage is pretty much accurate now!!

I'm still curious about using the stone on the back of the blade and its benefits. Im just worried about overdoing it and ending up with a blade with too much drift or something, I haven't read up enough on that tip. Also in watching a woodworking show (Wood Works) the guy was tuning his 20" and he sprayed the blade with some kinda spray he called a dry lubricant or something, he says it helps keep temps down, anyone else do that. If so what is the product?

Glad to hear those urethane tires are nice, been looking forward to getting some. J

Wow, another serious month! I think this is close to the most, I think one month not too long ago there was 13, but there might have been several from one builder that month. All of the rigs just looked great this month, each of inspiring in their own ways.

Pete's Blue Tele was a great project. A local friend of mine and PG member were discussing GOTM and Petes build early this month and its tough judging so many great projects. I've always had my own way of determining votes that take into consideration many different factors, but even with this it is still difficult. Pete's Tele is an amazing project that came out excellent. I think the amount of work put into this speaks for itself, just look at relating threads. Not to mention that it is extremely difficult to take a guitar design/style alter enough to make it completely your own, yet not go overboard and make it look ridiculous. Pete's balanced this perfectly, it's his own take on the design and looks amazing, it would probably out sell many other styles sold from the company and thats without including the intense electronics. All in all an amazing project. I think maybe the only thing working against him is that is flows so well as a design that it almost comes off as just another great piece of guitar porn and not an actual project. I dunno, very cool project, very well done, nice work!

Matts- Yeah, glad to see Metal back in action. Really it was Matt and all his unique designs that inspired me when I first wanted to build my own guitar, he inspired me to find my own shape, I was always a fan of all his threads. Another great design and project here. I think the thing that most impresses me is that forearm carve. Sounds stupid, but man oh man, I don't know if I've ever seen a better one. It flows into the bevels flawlessly and it just accents the entire design. I actually like the woods as in they look good, though I have a huge hunk of Purple heart and I'm not a big fan of working with it, but it can look great on certain projects and I actually this it suits this project well. The fretboard end and lack of inlays looks great, headstocks works well. Great project, very well executed and although a UV inhibiting finish might help, I really like the look of it in those pics. Great Stuff Matt and your other work looks great, love that green.

Daniel- Super nice looking guitar, love the blue, love the shape as it looks very comfortable and fun to play, no doubt that end up my gigging rig. Like everyone elses thoughts the relicing doesn't do it for me, I think maybe just doing like all satin hardware and such would have been preferred, who knows. Either way its an amazing looking guitar fit and finish. Very nice work!

MrButtman-Well done! Looks great all the way around, finish came out great. The only slight concern I'd have was mentioned in your thread about the grain direction, but it seems to be alright, so no worries there. I have a strong feeling that the pictures are not doing that finish justice because I can see the red in the middle as being much brighter in real life. I just have a feeling we aren't getting a good idea of the true colors. Still its look great, very solid and very well done, nice stuff.

Killemall-As usual, very nice guitar and very well done. Your finishes are looking nicer each time and you did a great job with that bubinga veneer. In doing a small flatsawn bubinga veneer on my headstock I can't imagine it being an easy task getting it perfect across an entire guitar body. I struggled just with the back of my headstock, though it was the volute that was the culprit there. Anyhow, very well done, the woods fit together well very great choices, hardware fits well, all in all another great build.

Decadentjon- Very neat design well executed. I really like that extended neck that ends under the bridge pickup. I just like the idea you can see the neck, but not the end of the neck like you can on some basses and some guitars. With it ending under the pickup it looks very cool. Very nice smooth looking neck also. Control plate works well. Not huge on the forearm cut, but I bet it feel beautiful. The "nolay" as I'll call it looks very cool also, different and interesting. Very nice build, great job. J

Boggs- Another nice entry. I like the project. The design on the back looks very nice and is well places as it splits the string thru ferrells perfectly. The graphic on the front is cool as well. I think that type of design would be great for jammin' with buddy's or at practice as you can rip around on that thing and have a great time. All in all great build and nice execution.

J 48- Great build! This was actually my vote this month. It just appeals to me greatly, it also stood out significantly yet looks near flawless. I followed your two previous builds and in seeing this one, I just had to say wow. You really did an amazing job. I really can't believe it was your first neck either and on top of that a neck thru. Just everything about this build is great, all the details you spent time on look great, the color is amazing and works so well with the maple on the back. The fretboard end and inlays are perfect and a great choice. Yeah, this just stood out and would be an amazing build for someone who builds for a job, can't believe thats your third seriously! Keep up the great work, I can't wait to see more projects from you in the future. You're bound to grab a GOTM with builds like that.

Daniel-Another great build for the month. I really can't wait until PG gets so big that we start having GOTM's for acoustics and electrics. Very nice acoustic, love the limba of course, choice piece. Inlays look very nice, binding is great, bridge looks very smooth. Just a great build. Seriously the only thing that I would have love to have seen was exactly what I think Wez mentioned, binding the sound port with ebony. Wheew that would have put this one over the top no doubt, still an amazing piece regardless. I'd love to own a guitar that beautiful. Great build.

jvilla-Nice project! Interesting body, I like the smooth carve on the body. The thing I like the most is that two tone cristibol fretboard, wow, what a great choice, it looks amazing. The hardware all fits well inlcuding the abalone topped knobs. In one of the pics it shows how nice the finish looks, very nice! All in all very nice build, look forward to seeing more of your work around the forum.

Bluesy- Well, dpm99 and I were hanging out the other day and your guitar came up. We both were laughing because you built it so fast and it came out great really. You'd ask a question on how to do something, then pull it off like you'd done it a dozen times already. Very nice project and not an easy one to build, especially when you don't have all the tools that make it easy. Very impressive stuff and very well executed. I really can't wait to see what you will build in the future. I really liked your entire project, very well done and best of luck.

All of the builds this month were great and inspiring. PG is a seriously awesome forum to be apart of, I'm thankful I found this place years ago. Not only is it a great place to learn and get feedback, but its a great community to hang out with. Congrats to all the entries, all excellent builds. Best of luck to you all. J

You can also check out Routerbits.com or mlcswoodworking.com for that bit. Its the 7/32" spiral bit. MLCS suggests using Downcut spirals for handheld routing and upcut for tables, just a recommendation. MLCS is a bit cheaper at $14 for the bit and they have free shipping in the contiguous US. Router bits.com is $16 plus about another $6 for shipping. I bought a number of bits MLCS and they've all done me very well, nice and sharp and haven't dulled at all, plus they have loads of interesting bits like the triple wings and so on. Their new horizontal router table is quite interesting too, would be invaluable for certain woodworking jobs.

As for the stewmac rods, I used my 7/32" downcut bit and couldn't get my hotrod in, I had to widen it around both nuts on the rod, then even had to widen it a smidge more when I wrapped it. I think I just got an odd ball one that wasn't exact though, in my case a 1/4" would have actually been preferred, but I'd still have started with the 7/32" to be sure it was snug. Next I'm going to try the new truss rods from Allied Luthierie, heard great things about them. Best of luck. J

As already said, very nice wood score. Really lovin' that spalted Zebrawood(zebrano), very neat looking stuff that I'd never seen before personally, spalted I mean. I've come to like Zebrawood more and more lately. When I bought my body wood of Zebra I liked it alright, I mainly grabbed it because it was a beautiful piece perfect for the project, especially since I could slip match it easily, but now I just think the wood is very neat, though some pieces are far and away better than others and yours is one of those pieces that I think is perfect really great choice there, it really looks nice when finished too. That is also a gorgeous piece of bocote as well, very nice interesting grain that some bocote has. I like your plan so far, can't wait to see how it turns out. In looking at your neck blank choices, I think its going to look very nice, in having done one of similar colors, maple and jatoba, I now wished I had added a very thin black strip on either side of the middle lam, I don't know what the best choice is, I'd assume ebony, but I'd look around for other options as well myself, like dyed fiberwood type material. Definitely keep those pics coming!! Best of luck.

As for screen name change, I think Brian has to personally change this as only he has the access, but I'll verify that. Jason