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  #16  
Old 01-05-2018, 12:08 PM
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OK ... It's official ... TomB'sox is crazier than I am. No question!
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  #17  
Old 01-05-2018, 12:15 PM
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Tom, I happen to love the look of the grain on the back. I'm sure this will be outstanding when complete. Looking forward to watching the progress!!
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  #18  
Old 01-05-2018, 03:02 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EverettWilliams View Post
Tom:

As the recent recipient of an Ellie Belle made out of Dad’s Sitka and good old Honduran Mahogany, I can confirm that that it’s a wonderful top wood. That guitar really, really impresses me and has left some much more expensive guitars gathering dust. I don’t know whether it’s a honeymoon period, but I’m completely smitten! So much so that, like you, I’m in talks with Ben on Ellie Belle #2.

Ben is a really gifted builder and a great guy - I completely understand why you’re going back to the well!

Congrats and I’ll look forward to watching it unfold!
Thanks, that is an awesome testimonial, congrats on both the current Elliebelle and what I am sure is the future one as well! I told Ben the other day that I feel mine has a built in reverb button. I swear at times I have it plugged in with the reverb button on 5....It has a very complex sound!

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Originally Posted by Gitarre View Post
STOP TALKING ABOUT YOUR SECOND GUITARS FROM BEN!

I've been successful in resisting the temptation to go back for seconds and you guys aren't helping.
Just give it up and give in to the pressure! You know you want to!!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wood Knot View Post
Tom...

You may see this set as unspectacular, but I think that it's beautiful. Some woods scream "Wow" from far away, and others request that you get a little bit closer before they show you their "Wow"
I'll be watching this one along with all of the other interested spectators.

Joel
I think I came off the wrong way about the wood. I originally wanted something "Wow" from far away as you say, but the more we talked and Ben described the glassy, chimey tone of this wood, I went with it. I too think it is beautiful with finish and there are mulitple colors and character spots in it that I really like. And I believe you are right that it will have lots of "wow" when done.

Quote:
Originally Posted by LouieAtienza View Post
You're building quite a stable there Tom! That Honduras rosewood is nothing short of spectacular, getting harder and harder to find beautiful straight grain stuff nowadays.
Thank you so much Louie, yes the stable is a little out of control, but I have worked my whole life to get to this point, so what the heck. Thanks for your knowledge regarding this wood, I know Ben is really pumped about it.
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  #19  
Old 01-05-2018, 03:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by invguy921 View Post
Love it Tom!! You FINALLY followed MY lead HA!!

I personally love that wood. There is something to be said for the "earthy, organic" simplicity and beauty of simple wood grain. I will be tuned into this build for sure. Anxious to see the gorgeous guitar that pops out next Tuesday!!

Over the years, others and I have bragged about builders that most of us have come to know and love here on this forum. And yet, Ben has flown a bit under the AGF radar. So...for those who want to know just a bit more about Ben, here's a little video that tells a but more about him and his story.

A short 5 minutes but quite interesting and will help others better understand this "Bromance" Tom talks about...I guess i plead guilty as well


Yes, thank you so much Mike for bringing me into the Wilborn fold! Where would I be without you hahahaha.

Thanks for the video, that was great! Wish Ben had more playing chops though don't you? Jeez...
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  #20  
Old 01-05-2018, 03:11 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cigarfan View Post
OK ... It's official ... TomB'sox is crazier than I am. No question!

You mean crazy good right???



Quote:
Originally Posted by mikealpine View Post
Tom, I happen to love the look of the grain on the back. I'm sure this will be outstanding when complete. Looking forward to watching the progress!!
Thanks for stopping by Mike! Please come by anytime if you can put down that darned electric stuff you have grown so fond of lately hahaha! Hope all is well with you and family!!!
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  #21  
Old 01-05-2018, 03:20 PM
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So Ben makes his own bindings and purflings:

Cocobolo and Holly:

cocobolo holly material.jpg

Getting everything ready to laminate

bindings.jpg
Attached Images
File Type: jpg bindings 3.jpg (52.5 KB, 200 views)
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  #22  
Old 01-05-2018, 03:23 PM
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Everything glued together in the correct order:

bindings 4.jpg

Sliced and diced:

bindings 5.jpg
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  #23  
Old 01-05-2018, 03:32 PM
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It is hard to keep up with Ben's pace, but the next step was the rosette. Now Ben's guitars normally have a very minimal rosette as he likes to keep his tops clean, simple, beautiful. It was with some trepidation that I got him to agree to do something a little outside the box for me, but now that he did it, he completely agrees that I was right and he should listen to my every wish from now on until all is said and done (well that might be a bit of an exaggeration on my part, but hey, I am the customer).

Ben did a radial Cocobolo rosette that we both think came out really nicely!

rosette beginnings.jpg

rosette glued.jpg

Rosette cut out.jpg
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  #24  
Old 01-05-2018, 03:37 PM
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Rosette work continued:

Rosette inlayed into top waiting for the diamond touch

rosette inlay.jpg

Finished rosette:

Rosette finished.jpg

Must be Ben's adorable son. Of course I told him how handsome his son was and in my loving way added that his wife must be really beautiful hahahaha! I wonder if this kid is thinking "all I get to do is sweep up, when will I get to sand?"

rosette portrait.jpg
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  #25  
Old 01-05-2018, 06:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EverettWilliams View Post
Tom:

As the recent recipient of an Ellie Belle made out of Dad’s Sitka and good old Honduran Mahogany, I can confirm that that it’s a wonderful top wood. That guitar really, really impresses me and has left some much more expensive guitars gathering dust. I don’t know whether it’s a honeymoon period, but I’m completely smitten! So much so that, like you, I’m in talks with Ben on Ellie Belle #2.

Ben is a really gifted builder and a great guy - I completely understand why you’re going back to the well!

Congrats and I’ll look forward to watching it unfold!

Is this yours!!!!!???? It is wonderful! I love the noodling especially when he gets funky in the middle. Congrats, that is a great guitar.

https://www.facebook.com/WilbornGuit...2650360079998/
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  #26  
Old 01-05-2018, 09:32 PM
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That is a cool backstory on the Sitka!
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  #27  
Old 01-05-2018, 10:51 PM
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Really cool Rosette Tom!

Great stuff
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  #28  
Old 01-06-2018, 07:59 AM
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This is going to be a beautiful guitar!. Honduran is a favorite of mine, it never disappoints.
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  #29  
Old 01-06-2018, 08:25 AM
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The mini documentary is excellent, congrats on another great build Tom!! I'm going to enjoy following this one for sure.
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  #30  
Old 01-06-2018, 09:15 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmat View Post
That is a cool backstory on the Sitka!
Thanks, I thought so too. I always like some story that makes the guitar special and that one will fill the bill nicely.

Quote:
Originally Posted by invguy921 View Post
Really cool Rosette Tom!


Great stuff
Thanks Wood man, u da best!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Kraus View Post
This is going to be a beautiful guitar!. Honduran is a favorite of mine, it never disappoints.
Thanks Bill, I did not know much about it so good to hear from another luthier on it as well! Thanks for looking!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Daveac View Post
The mini documentary is excellent, congrats on another great build Tom!! I'm going to enjoy following this one for sure.
Thanks Dave. That was Ben playing all the background music as well in case people did not see that on the credits. Like Steve, he is a great player! I really like that in the builds. I think it adds a little something special.
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