Neil Gardiner Maple and Cedar Build

[Neil Gardiner]

Right off the bat I have to acknowledge a huge influence and respect for Jason Kostal's guitars on this build. Specifically his rosettes.

This one started because I had been thinking about the wood we use. We get to use some of the most amazing woods when we build these guitars. And a lot of time there are pieces and scraps left over that are too beautiful to throw away, but that are kind of hard to find a use for too. So about 6 or 8 months ago I started gluing some of those bits up with a thin black line between them and came up with a strip of multicoloured woods.

So I'm going to use that as a back strip on a Maple and Cedar guitar.

Here's some shots:



Here's the multi-wood strip. It has East Indian, Granadillo, Maple, Monkeypod, Sycamore, Bloodwood and Mahogany



Here's the wood. Nice dark Cedar. Rings beautifully when you tap it.



Some curly Maple for the backs and sides



And here's the strip placed between the Maple to show how it might look once it goes in as the backs trip

Neil

[jeastman]

Is something like that stable enough to be used for binding?

[Neil Gardiner]

Hey Jamin

Yes, it will be stable. When the backstrip goes in I will cut a channel for it in the Maple. So the maple will go the whole way across the back with the strip inset into it.

Neil

[Neil Gardiner]

Ok - some more progress shots.



Here's the parts glued up for the rosette, the end graft and the little triangle thing I put on the top ends of my guitars



Rosette cutout



And laid into the Cedar top



And a close up wiped with a little mineral spirits to give an idea of how it might look with finish



And here is the back strip inlaid into the Maple back and scraped clean



And a closeup shot of the back strip with a little mineral spirit wipe to show the colour. You can see the curl of the Maple a bit better here too.

[SJ VanSandt]

I really like that back strip a lot. Is the end graft going to be as wide?

[jeastman]

Originally Posted by Neil Gardiner

Hey Jamin

Yes, it will be stable. When the backstrip goes in I will cut a channel for it in the Maple. So the maple will go the whole way across the back with the strip inset into it.

Neil

That's really interesting. I figured it was sound enough since you're using it in the backstrip, I just wasn't sure if whatever epoxy you use to hold the pieces together would hold up under the heat required to bend it. Could make kind of a natural-esque celluloid.

[Neil Gardiner]

End graft will be a little thinner. I have it installed, I'll take some pictures.

[Neil Gardiner]

Here's a couple pictures of the end graft. One before it's installed and one after.

[Neil Gardiner]

Haven't gone too much further on this one - I've been busy putting a couple other guitars together. But here's a couple more shots of the sides bent and with the side braces in. And one of the back braces starting to happen.

[martint]

Looks fantastic so far! I have so many "scraps" I haven't been able to throw away. You have inspired me! And now I can justify to my wife why I haven't cleaned up all those off-cuts. Can't wait to see this one finished.

[jimmy bookout]

Hey Neil,
Very cool looking. Who's guitar?

Jimmy

[Neil Gardiner]

Hey Jimmy

The guitar isn't for anyone yet. Just have been really wanting to build this so made some time for it.

Hopefully someone will decide they want it at some point.

Worse case scenario - I get to keep it myself ha ha.

Neil

[Neil Gardiner]

Well, the box is together. Here's a few progress shots.

[Neil Gardiner]

So, I cut out the headstock overlay. And I also Photoshopped in what it might look with tuners.

What do you think? Too much?

[rogthefrog]

Those mosaics are gorgeous and I love the back strip, rosette and V thing at the back.

I do think a matching peghead veneer would be overkill, though. Then again, I'm a guy who doesn't like electric guitar headstocks painted to match the body color, so YMMV, FWIW, IMO, etc.