I built this guitar in 2013

[justashop]

This is my first build. I have owned a cabinet and furniture shop since 1984. So tools were no problem. This guitar was made around a redwood 2x4 that I reclaimed from a door that was made around 1890. The redwood 2x4 had 47 rings per inch. So in order to make a sound board I had to use six pieces in the top, it is holding up just fine so far. Let me know what you think.
Brent

https://picasaweb.google.com/1105542...0777955/Guitar

[difalkner]

Very nice! How's it sound?

[justashop]

Thanks
I built this to be for finger style playing.
I have played several Martin and Taylor OM guitars and I think this guitar sound as good as any Ive played. It projects very well even tone across all the strings.
Not supper bright and not too much base. I was blown away by how much more it started to ring as I thinned the top, like a bell as they say.
Brent

[Outhouse]

Love it, great job.

[Halcyon/Tinker]

I think that it pays to have woodworking experience before building your first guitar...;

My first was not crafted nearly so well. Good job!

As a builder, I have no problem with multi piece tops, though the seller in me sees it as a possible barrier. The only thing I see construction wise that I don't like is the bridge plate having the grain oriented the same as the top. Maybe it's fine, but it's not what I'm used to seeing...

[viento]

That´s one very fine and impressing guitar.
In every photo one can see the experienced professional in woodwork.
What a fluke to get this wonderful piece of wood!
Congrats!
I´m just now building my second acoustic guitar - so I know what I´m talking about.

[murrmac123]

Originally Posted by Halcyon/Tinker

The only thing I see construction wise that I don't like is the bridge plate having the grain oriented the same as the top. Maybe it's fine, but it's not what I'm used to seeing...

Given that the main function of the bridgeplate is to prevent the string ball-ends coming through the soundboard, I think that orienting the grain the same way makes a lot of sense, inasmuch as there is less tendency for the line of holes to create a stress line and consequent bridgeplate fracture.

This can of course be offset by angling the grain at 45 degrees, but running the grain the same way also gives more support for the top in resisting deformation from string tension.

No doubt somebody will chime in saying that lateral (side to side ) reinforcement is superior by having the bridgeplate grain run at right angles to the soundboard, but that has always seemed to me to be a very dubious contention ... the bridge gives all the lateral support needed IMO.

[Gitarre]

I would classify myself as a hack/wannabe woodworker and the same as a guitar player but your guitar looks great to me. The woodwork details looks great. The documentation of your build is nice.

[justashop]

For the bridge plate I laminated 5 layers of very thin Bloodwood with the grain direction at 90 degrees for each layer. I used west systems epoxy and vacuum bagged it in the same radius dish I used to glue the bracing. The bridge and bridge plate are slotted.

Thanks for the kind words
Brent

[Tom West]

Brent: Have seen quite a few first builds. Yours has to be the best or close to the best in terms of workmanship. Super job........! The bad thing is now your hooked and have to build more. This stuff is more addictive then any drug. Good luck and press on.
Tom

[Jesse D.]

Wow I love the look, once I have the resources I would love to guitar a guitar like that!

[justashop]

As a custom cabinet and furniture maker everything I do is a first build. Sure there are things common to all woodworking projects but each project seems to have it's own challenges. Below is a link to a photo album that shows 25 years of custom work done in my shop. For the most part I work with one other talented person in my shop. Hope you enjoy looking at the photos.
Brent

http://picasaweb.google.com/brentmer...46138452199138

Hit the Esc key to avoid the slide show

[vintageparlors]

Originally Posted by Tom West

Brent: Have seen quite a few first builds. Yours has to be the best or close to the best in terms of workmanship. Super job........! The bad thing is now your hooked and have to build more. This stuff is more addictive then any drug. Good luck and press on.
Tom

Plus 1 in every sense!

[viento]

Originally Posted by justashop

... Hope you enjoy looking at the photos.
Brent

Brent,I enjoyed every photo of your link.
When looking at all of these it seemed normal to me that your guitar looks
perfect because you are quite inventive with the right amount of
excellent taste - also in the smallest details - and top craftsmanship!

[Kitchen Guitars]

Nice execution! How did you finish it?