Ensor Lutz/Sycamore

[Coffeeaddict]

In early July, Chris Ensor and I started talking about building me a guitar and one thing led to another and eventually a deposit found its way into his hands. After a slight modification to the build due to some stubborn wood that was unwilling to accept the cutaway bend, we are a go.

The sycamore has some gorgeous speckling.

Specs:
ES
Sycamore Back & Sides
Lutz
Venetian Cutaway
Mahogany Neck
EIR Binding
Rosette: B/Wide Maple/B Purfling and sycamore
Macassar Ebony Bridge and Fingerboard
Sycamore Headstock Overlays
Oval Sound port

Here are some pictures Chris sent me last night.

Note the stunning piece of macassar he found for the bridge.

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The rosette taking shape:

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The back:

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The sides getting nice and cosy with each other:

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I don't normally name my guitars, but when Chris suggested using sycamore, the first thing that came to mind was the story of Zacchaeus - now I can't think of this guitar without thinking Zacchaeus.

I'll post more pictures as they come in.

[psychojohn]

the oval sound hole. fir an upcoming build, I've requested an enlarged sound hole as when I've AB guitars with normal vs larger sound holes I perceive either more bass response or just a fuller tone with more bass in it. Why the choice of the oval hole ?

BTW, congrats on what looks like it is going to be a beautiful build and from what I've learned about sycamore since your note, should be an awesome sounding guitar with the Lutz top.

John

[J-F C]

May I ask what is the tonal profile of (that lovely) sycamore ?

J-F

Congrats, Colin! She's gonna be a beauty, I can tell. Subscribed and looking forward to updates on how Zacchaeus is progressing

[CaE]

Originally Posted by psychojohn

the oval sound hole. fir an upcoming build, I've requested an enlarged sound hole as when I've AB guitars with normal vs larger sound holes I perceive either more bass response or just a fuller tone with more bass in it. Why the choice of the oval hole ?

BTW, congrats on what looks like it is going to be a beautiful build and from what I've learned about sycamore since your note, should be an awesome sounding guitar with the Lutz top.

John

John,
The sound hole (on the front of the guitar) will be a standard circle. The sound port (on the side of the guitar) will be an oval. I find that the the addition of a sound port adds a bit more bass response, volume, and sustain. This is most noticeable to the player. Sound ports are also referred to as sound monitors.

Originally Posted by J-F C

May I ask what is the tonal profile of (that lovely) sycamore ?

J-F

J-F,
This particular set of sycamore is very dense. Other sets of sycamore that I have handled tap similarly to mahogany. This set is much closer to indian rosewood when tapped.

[psychojohn]

[QUOTE=Chris Ensor;4106968]John,
The sound hole (on the front of the guitar) will be a standard circle. The sound port (on the side of the guitar) will be an oval. I find that the the addition of a sound port adds a bit more bass response, volume, and sustain. This is most noticeable to the player. Sound ports are also referred to as sound monitors.


Chris, thanks for being gentle in exposing my lack of guitar terminology sophistication although I feel idiot because I do know the difference between a sound hole and sound port, but apparently could not access that part of my brain when responding. I immediately put it in the context of my desire for an enlarged sound hole in an upcoming build of mine, and ignored the "port" verbiage.

john

[Steve Kinnaird]

I'm a huge fan of Sycamore. Of course, with some success at my diet, I'll simply be a large fan of that wood. Regardless of belt length, it should make a lovely guitar. The comments about this particular set are intriguing.
Most of the Sycamore I've encountered has resembled your observation about mahogany. Will be interesting to get your observations re. tone when completed.

Steve

[Coffeeaddict]

I received a progress update from Chris a little earlier tonight. The purling has been cut and inlayed into the rosette. The blocks have been glued in and the sides have been radiused and tapered. The kerfed liners have also been glued in.

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Coming up next is work on liners, side struts and adding the sound port reinforcement.

Exciting progress!

[Dru Edwards]

Looking forward to following your build, Coffee! Is Zacchaeus a reference to something/someone?

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Looking forward to following your build, Coffee! Is Zacchaeus a reference to something/someone?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zacchaeus

[psychojohn]

Originally Posted by GraceGuitars

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zacchaeus

Hmmmmm. He climbed up a sycamore tree to see jesus. How appropriate for the build

[Coffeeaddict]

Originally Posted by psychojohn

Hmmmmm. He climbed up a sycamore tree to see jesus. How appropriate for the build

Yeah, that story and the corresponding kids song popped into my head as soon as Chris suggested sycamore.

[Coffeeaddict]

A little more progress - even a head cold won't stop him from working.

The side struts and the reinforcement patch for the sound port have been glued in.

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The top has been cut to shape and thicknessed. I love the way the rosette starts off fairly light in colour and gradually darkens.

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Hope you guys enjoy watching this as much as I am.

Very cool! Are those Chris' initials (looks like a lower-case cursive "ce") on the tail block?