Ensor Guitars- NB Series in Myrtle & Sitka- final pics & VIDEO

CaE · #1 02-10-2017, 07:34 AM

Not too long ago I announced the release of a new, economical series- the NB Series. These guitars will get all the same attention to detail in tonal construction, but with a simpler aesthetic. Each guitar includes a hardshell case. The price point- under $3k!

The first one off the line is a NBD (d for domestic back/sides) in Oregon myrtle and sitka spruce. Full specs for my NB series can be found on my website.

I hope you'll follow along.

Nemoman · #2 02-10-2017, 10:29 AM

Personally, I love Oregon myrtlewood, and I don't think it gets the attention or use it deserves.

Looks like you've got a beautiful set to work with--looking forward to following along!

invguy921 · #3 02-11-2017, 09:50 AM

Great idea Chris!! This will help people get your guitars in their hands and see what great work you do. These should be fun to watch and see how they develop!

rogthefrog · #4 02-11-2017, 12:43 PM

Any plans to offer your NB series in osage orange?

CaE · #5 02-13-2017, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Personally, I love Oregon myrtlewood, and I don't think it gets the attention or use it deserves.

Looks like you've got a beautiful set to work with--looking forward to following along!

There are a lot of great domestic woods out there that don't get enough attention- myrtle being one of them. I hope my work sheds some light on how great alternative tonewoods can be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by invguy921

Great idea Chris!! This will help people get your guitars in their hands and see what great work you do. These should be fun to watch and see how they develop!

Thanks Mike. I appreciate the kind words.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogthefrog

Any plans to offer your NB series in osage orange?

The NB series is available in mahogany, indian rosewood, myrtle and walnut.

CaE · #6 02-14-2017, 08:56 PM

You know, straight wood doesn't make a very attractive guitar side. I think I'll bend it instead. And while I'm at it, blocks and liners seem necessary as well. So, why not?!

The rosette on this guitar will be a simple, narrow ring of curly maple with some black/maple/black purfling outlining it. These are not purfling lines, these are pencil lines:

They'll be replaced with a precise inlay. Stick around and see what that looks like.

nacluth · #7 02-14-2017, 09:01 PM

Actually I always think the pencil lines look pretty cool.

Stevien · #8 02-14-2017, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nacluth

Actually I always think the pencil lines look pretty cool.

..... and very organic looking .....
Steve

CaE · #9 02-23-2017, 12:34 PM

Voila, a rosette:

On to the back.... Gotta make sure the seam is supported:

And then to make it strong, sound good, and hold a radius, here are some back braces:

I'm getting rather good at fitting 10lbs in a 5lb bag when bracing.

I'm falling more and more in love with this myrtle the more I work it. It sounds and looks great. I think I'll add it to my list of under appreciated domestics that I love. Hopefully people will start considering it more seriously.

Nemoman · #10 02-23-2017, 12:41 PM

Off to a great start, Chris--love the simple, understated rosette.

This is gonna be a great one!

coopman · #11 02-23-2017, 12:43 PM

Chris - looking good. I wholeheartedly agree regarding Myrtle. It is one of my favorite tonewoods. To my ear it sits nicely in between the realm of Rosewoods and Mahoganies - projecting the best of both.
John

CaE · #12 02-24-2017, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Off to a great start, Chris--love the simple, understated rosette.

This is gonna be a great one!

Thanks Nemoman! Simple is good (in my opinion).

Quote:

Originally Posted by coopman

Chris - looking good. I wholeheartedly agree regarding Myrtle. It is one of my favorite tonewoods. To my ear it sits nicely in between the realm of Rosewoods and Mahoganies - projecting the best of both.
John

John,
I'm glad to see a myrtle fan is following along. I hope there are more out there.

CaE · #13 03-03-2017, 07:35 AM

I so enjoy carving- braces, necks, bridges, anything really. I use spanish cedar for my back braces. It carves nicely and smells fantastic. And would ya look at those little curls. So nice....

Once everything is carved, I cap the x for strength. I like to use a button that matches the back:

SJ VanSandt · #14 03-03-2017, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Ensor

I'm glad to see a myrtle fan is following along. I hope there are more out there.

There are. I love the way it looks as well as how it sounds. That's a lovely piece you are working with, Chris, and you are taking some really fine pictures of it too!

Mark Lew · #15 03-04-2017, 11:59 AM

Very nice Chris! I too am a big fan of myrtlewood. That back set that you've got is gonna really look awesome when finished. The one word that I use to describe the myrtle sound is definition. Every note stands out and I love it. And the myrtle look is so one-of-a-kind, with such striking variation as you must well know. I looked at the other models that you have on your site and I was very impressed. I like the asymmetrical headstocks with Gotohs. I'll be another AGF fan following the progress of this beauty; can't wait to see the finished product! Thanks for sharing.