John Mayes SD-43 build
 

I am pleased to have John build a guitar for me. Any AGFers who visited the HGB festival can attest to his work. I was very happy to have met him in person there.

I believe John will be happy to add some pics and the specs to the thread soon. He promises me that he has been hard at work and has provided some updates. I hope you all will enjoy the process with me.

That's exciting news... cool you got to meet him at Hburg too. Can't wait to hear more about your guitar. John's finishing up a guitar for me right now... I came close to going with the SD myself but ended up with the new GC size. Once your guitar is on the bench (which is sounds like yours may be already) it really goes quickly...

Nice choice

Oh, I forgot to mention that it will be built with Ovangkol and Lutz Spruce. Ovangkol seems to work very well for Taylor Dreds and John found an exceptional set, but I'll let John do the "show and tell".

Cool stuff congrats!! You can't go wrong with John building you a guitar!!!! I look forward to the pictures and seeing your progress with this one!!! The SD-43 is a powerful sophisticated dreadnought unlike any other I've played.

Thanks for the nice words. I'll be adding some pictures here shortly. I've been really sick since late last week and have slept like 16 hours a day for the past 3 days. But I'm feeling much better today and plan on being back in action tomorrow. Pictures coming tomorrow!

I picked up my 00 from John on Friday (after lunching with him - hope that wasn't the reason he didn't feel well!!!) and I am really impressed with it. You guys who got to see and play it at Healdsburg know what I'm talking about - but I'm just finding little niceties that I didn't expect - like a purfling layer under the headplate ... sweet!!

I did get to see Travis's guitar, and I was really glad for the chance. I had not seen a non-cut Grand Concert yet, and the shape is really beautiful. Elegant woods and lines -- nicely done John and Travis!

I did see Scott's top - very nice set of Lutz. I did not see the set of Ovangkol - John and I took off on a mahogany conversation! But I'm continuing to be surprised and impressed by John's builds - all shapes and sizes. The wenge / western red cedar GC was there, and it's still one of my favorites. The other GCs had arrived back from Healdsburg but I didn't get a chance to drool on them!

Scott - this will be a great build thread to watch! John's SD is a powerful voice!!

Best,

Phil

Let's start this off with the basics. Specs and wood pictures.

Specifications:

• Mastergrade Lutz spruce top
• Curly Ovangkol back and sides
• Honduran mahogany neck
• African blackwood radial rosette, with Ovangkol and maple accents
• Ebony headplate/fretboard/bridge
• African blackwood binding

Top and back are Lutz spruce, and Curly Ovangkol.

Back:

http://gallery.me.com/mayesguitars/1...018553/web.jpg

Top:

http://gallery.me.com/mayesguitars/1...018817/web.jpg

That's looking to be a very fine SD-43. Blackwood binding is a great choice!
Thanks for posting.

JH

Very sweet!! Always love following a Mayes build!!! I promise you won't be disappointed with the SD!!!!

That's some seriously flamey Ovangkol, and some of the silkiest lutz I've ever seen.

Phil

Thanks fellows, I think between John's skills and artistry and those woods; the guitars should be "Killer".

A word about Ovangkol

It's really a underestimated, and underused wood on luthier built guitars in my opinion. It's a wonderfully resonant, beautiful wood. Color wise it works with lots of options, and also it's inexpensive. I think it suffers from the Mahogany/Indian rosewood syndrome. That is to say it's common and therefore people tend to look over it in favor of more expensive, exotic, rare woods. I'm glad to get to use it on this guitar.

Here is some side bending action:

http://gallery.me.com/mayesguitars/1...018566/web.jpg

http://gallery.me.com/mayesguitars/1...018567/web.jpg

I look forward to following this build. I've long been an admirer of John's guitars, though I only got to actually play them a few weeks ago at Healdsburg. That confirmed to my ears what my eyes had already told me: John Mayes builds fine guitars!

cotten

Nice wood, the back/sides especially-:)

Great Choice Scott, the SD43 is the guitar that keeps me up at night and will probably be the reason I sell my D-18GE and my D-21 special.

I look forward to following the build process for now.