Build thread for Guitar44me..SJ12
 

I'm making a modified slope jumbo for Paul.
Specs: 12 fret, Honduran rosewood body, (in my opinion the most resonant rosewood) bc euro top, bound with birds eye maple.
Big, long, rib rest and a normal sized arm rest. Very challenging because of the completely unforgiving wood (maple) used

Here are the players

The top rosette is done in quarter inch paua.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...saj5b5mqr.jpeg

Here is how the rosette kit looked coming from rescue pearl
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...svxctux25.jpeg
And the back

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...stlras6gx.jpeg

THAT is a really sweet looking start. LOVE the rosette.

What is "rescue" meaning here?

Love my HRW as well. Very resonant.

Best,
Chris

Thanks Chris
Rescue pearl is a company out of Rescue California, run by a very nice lady named Joanne who treats customers right. She also has very colorful pearl

Wow - looking like this will become a gorgeous guitar for Paul!! Can't wait to see it take shape...

Paul, I was wondering when your "turn" was going to be here...and then, Shazam, here it is!! It must be Christmas...Congratulations!

The wood choices are superb and I know John will knock your socks off with the build. Happy for you!

Paul wants a traditional look. (thank you Paul :)) So the back seam will be part of a classical motif.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...s00d0zdjt.jpeg

a little neck work for Paul and Phil
 

I found a 10 foot plank of honduran mahogany that was slab cut. Perfect for one piece necks since its nearly 4 inches thick. Here is one end marked out for Paul and Phil's neck (plus a couple of other necks down the road)
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...sctbnfhme.jpeg

Old school method of cutting off an end piece
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...sjem7nvx1.jpeg
That cutoff piece is pretty rough on the outside so it gets run through a planer (dewalt portable) to smooth it up. The neck blanks will be split and then reversed so that the outside edges are glued together on the inside.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...sifdvnz8i.jpeg
cutting out the neck blanks

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...s3ee41g2e.jpeg
EXPENSIVE Kindling

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...snaqb65yy.jpeg
neck blanks ready to split
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...s7yonwbz4.jpeg

Squaring up the face http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...sjvj2dheb.jpeg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...swqpxm9tj.jpeg

The center line is laid out. Dont believe the hydrometer, it reads about 9 degrees low. As you can see the back is braced but not carved

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...se2wqaeay.jpeg

I remember when that abalone arrived. In fact, Billie and I got to open the package first. We were both impressed with the depth of color, even to the point of covetousness... It looks great.

SK

i remember that. I wasn't sure I'd like a thick band of abalone in a rosette, but I think now it looks pretty good.

Bob Taylor has sold a LOT of guitars using 1/4" abalone...apparently there are some guys (me being one of them) who like it. I think the stuff you have here is really special. Nice choice and nice work!

You've been quite busy of late. Paul! Looks like a gorgeous guitar incoming....Robert

I like it as well, and also like it when bordered on both sides by a dark wood ring. Looking good!

Woohoo!!!
 

Hey All
As you may guess, I am super stoked about this guitar. In the past I have special ordered 2 R.Taylors to my specs. Really FINE guitars, but they did not have the custom features of this one!
Many thanks to JK for his guidance, expertise and fun factor!!!


Many thanks to Mike/Woody for selling me his JK #99! Which continues to knock my socks off. When I found out he was selling 99 to finance a custom I started thinking about this one. Then when I found out Mike was so happy with his custom and John he was ordering another!!!, I pulled the trigger.

John K is a real pleasure to work with, and has been happy to incorporate all my suggestions. Which is really great as this will be a performance tool for me!

I am contemplating a pilgrimage to pick it up, mostly to sample JK's home brew!!! Haha

I am playing a LOT of acoustic/unamplified shows. 275 gigs in 2015! God willing and the crik don't rise... If I am not careful I will be above the poverty level! Thank goodness it is not as brutal as it sounds, since most are one hour long or so and I can stack two or even three up in a day. Still a lot of driving since we live in the mts. East of San Diego. Half hour to the close gigs! Another reason to want a super comfy neck carve!!!

This will be the big gun for acoustic shows in the large rooms.

Cheers and the merriest of Christmases/Hanukahs/Kwanzas/Solstices/and Festivus for the rest of us!!! To all!!!

Paul

Hey John...
 

When you get a chance, show the solid kerfing and explain about the Red Cedar!

Of course every little detail affects the tone. But I am convinced that solid kerfing is a big help.

All the R. Taylors have solid kerfing, too. The sides are super stiff so they are not robbing vibrations from the top and back!

I must say that Johns #99 is the loudest guitar I have ever played, except for some resonators! And the TONE is spectacularly beautiful.

My wife, Cindy is an excellent musician and classically trained vocalist. She LOVES #99!

Lucky me! Thanks Honey!!

Cheers

Paul

The battle is lost. Oh, well.