HuntinDoug

The idea on this one was to do a tribute build with the same approach Eddie used when he built the Frankenstein Strat. I wanted to keep the same vibe as the original without making an exact copy. So, I used my Paradox design with a TOM one piece bridge. I aged the paint, relic'd the body, and used a hodge podge of new parts I had laying around. It was a fun build...

I cheated... Found them on etsy. They are molded resin. Worked out good, but they cost me $25 ea.

Just delivered this one to comedian Tim Hawkins. He's a huge Willie Wonka fan. He's going to use it on his new DVD due out in Nov.

The airbrush & clear was done by Alex at Williamson Works: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamsonWorks?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser

I finally programmed a nut file for the CNC. I ended up running about 100 more than I need. Here are specs:

bright white Corian

12" radius

1.75" wide x .25" thick x .365" high at the top of the radius

These have a slight relief taper. They are roughed in and will need sanded & slotted. They polish up really nice. I figure they are well worth $3 each. Sold in groups of 5:

5 for $15

10 for $25

15 for $35

Shipping in the lower 48 states will be about $3.50ish. Paypal works best... PM me

Very interesting... Cool design. I love the visible chambers. They would look really good painted black to match the pickups & other black parts. Good stuff!

Ok... It's been forever since I submitted one for GOTM. So, here goes:

Black Limba Paradox

Specs:

Parable "Paradox" carved top model

25.5" scale
Figured black limba body
3 piece Maple neck with beeswax finish
Bound Ziricote FB with gold MOP offset dot inlays
Figured maple TR cover with "Parable" logo
EVO gold jumbo semi-hemi frets
Seymour Duncan JB1 & SH2N hums (coil tapped)
1 piece TOM bridge
Bone nut
Gotoh tuners
Gold Hardware

Black Limba's done

You may ridicule at will...

That top is cool

It's a trick I do with the laser. It's slightly out of focus causing a vertically tapered cut. This allows the inlay to fit snugly in the bottom of the pocket so the inlay piece doesnt "float" in the pocket. That way the outline is consistent.

Well, if you don't enjoy it anymore, then I can understand. Maybe some time away would be good... Get a fresh perspective. But, at least do this: Before you sell all your tools, take a good look at your work, and your progress at the art. You've got talent. Don't "bury it"... Use it. It's a gift.

I fully understand the money aspect. I was a part time builder until I lost my full time day job in Nov. 2011. I havent had a real paycheck since. At times I have rhetorically asked myself "why am I still doing this". If it wasnt for my wife believing in what I do, I guess I wouldn't be doing it. I just turned 49, and I finally LOVE what I do. It takes a lot to "make it" as a full time luthier. I'm still at the stage where everything I make goes right back into material & tools. Now I have a shop with all the bills that go along with it. But, I'm right on the edge of things finally breaking loose. I just picked up a customer today that wants to carry my guitars as their premier brand.

Sometimes it helps to analyze yourself, and what you are looking to achieve by building. For some guys it's money, others for the art, others do it for the fun. Some do it for their ego. Any way you do it, one thing is the same for everyone. Perfection is un-obtainable. For a long time the best I could do was just not good enough to satisfy me. Then I realized that striving to continually improve is the only way to do this without it driving me crazy. Now I strive for excellence. Frankly, sometimes I'm disappointed in myself. I've burned some really nice guitars. But, I refuse to let that stop me.

Whatever you decide to do between now and next year, I hope you do it without regret...

Ok, so it's more circumstances causing you to cease... Not just being sick of striving for excellence without results. Right?

Look for a place that will allow you to continue. And, use the downtime to start building up the tools you need. Or, do repairs for a while... No finishing needed there. I can guarantee you one thing: If you quit for good, at some point you will look back and wish you had not.

Luis... Don't quit... period! Take a short break, or a long break, but do not quit! You have come too far, and are too talented to quit now. As a matter of fact if you quit, I will nag you til you start again. You're not even 30 years old yet. Imagine what you'll be building 10 years from now (Job 8:7).

Finishing is an art form in and of it's self. Don't let that one aspect of luthiery ruin the rest of it for you. I used to do custom painting & pinstiping back in the 90's. I can do it, but I choose to farm out all of my finishing to williamson works because he is way better at it than I am. And, it frees me up to concentrate on the art of design, and building.

Feel free to call me if you need to vent... I'm serious about that

That has got to be the coolest volute/headstock anywhere. Definitely a signature look.

Blackmachine style bolt ons. Two of six "ShreadMachines":

I love the branded logo... very cool.

A couple more:

Ash body with black epoxy grain fill under a blackburst. This will have a satin poly finish. I'm doing another just like this that is a dark red under a blackburst:

You should try this: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Supplies:_Shielding/Conductive_Shielding_Paint.html

It works great, and is much easier than copper tape.

That sapele body looks amazing. Who do you send to for finishing?

The guy I use is Alexander Williamson from Williamson Works: (513) 238-5727 https://www.facebook.com/WilliamsonWorks His poly finishes look like they are dipped in glass... Really nice! He builds guitars too. He does work for some big name USA guitar makers. And, he's within driving distance from me.

I actually have some fossilized dinosaur poop.Not going to use it on inlay though.

Ha ha... Yea, I gave a friend of mine some fossilized turtle dung for his 40th B-day. He constantly used the term that describes it for how he "feels". I thought it was appropriate.

Yea... I'm terrible about posting pics. I've been used to doing ghost builds for customers who don't want pics of "their" guitars posted anywhere. But, that has recently changed. I usually have about 12 to 16 guitars in the works at any given time. I'm gonna try to take more time to post pics.

Speaking of dinosaurs, I recently got some of this from JoAnne at rescue pearl:

Hey PG people... Been thinking about doing this for some time now. Be sure to sign up!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Parable-Guitars/220875048056336?ref=ts&fref=ts

Sorry to all you guys that are outside of the US. Shipping would be terrible...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUSzWgGVNK8

Just picked these up from my finish dude...

Sapele with tiger maple scroll inlay:

They're not bedroom toys y'know. Pshaw.