build #5: OM Engelmann/Ovangkol (Soundclip)

[quentinjazz]

Hi folks,

I'm so proud that Mark Hatcher the Great asked about my current builds, so here it is.

The story behind this guitar is a secret, a gift for one of my best friend's 40th birthday.
I started the build in September 2013 and it was finished in June 2014, still working in the kitchen...

Here are the specs:

Size: OM
Top: Engelmann spruce from Kootenay tonewood
Back&Sides: Ovangkol
Neck: Khaya (african mahogany)
Bindings: curly maple
Purflings: coloured theme with black, sycamore and green veneer.
Rosette: radial purfling with ovangkol (leftovers from the sides)
Headplate: ovangkol (leftovers from the sides, my favourite way of making a nice headstock
Finish: french polish



Very nice top, lots of silk and beutiful grain:


Still using the underside of my upright piano as a go bar deck:


My little assistant is always there for Quality Control!


Closing..

[quentinjazz]

Bindings by hand, with purfling cutters, I've never felt so happy with the result:








Homemade fingerboard markers


First coat of shellac:

[quentinjazz]

After some sessions:





Fretting:



Bridge is ready to be glued:

[quentinjazz]

And..





And this is the happy new owner of this OM!


The fun story is that it is the cheapest guitar I have ever made.. Basically it cost me (all included) around 200$..
And it is the guitar that gave me the nicest comments and after having played it, 2 people asked me for making them an OM.
And another one asked for a slope dread 12frets like my #4 (http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=309611) but with herringbone purfling..
I am still thinking about it, as I don't know if I am ready for it, or even if I really want the negative sides of building a guitar for money, with customers choice and specs.
Until now, I've built the guitars I want, and I was fine with it.
On the other hand.. that's potential money, and still a nice hobby, I don't know what to do..

Right now I'm not building anything, I am planning to get a house and get a room or a basement to make my workshop, I can't stand working in the kitchen anymore, I need some room, I need a workbench...

Thanks for viewing!

[Mark Hatcher]

Wow Quentinjazz,

It's amazing the work you do at your kitchen table!
The guitar looks great!
I look forward to seeing what you do when you have more room to do it in!

Thanks
Mark

[Nemoman]

Very nice looking guitar, Quentin! Really like how you integrated the green accents into everything. Good luck with your future builds--keep us posted!

[Marcus Wong]

Hey Quentin, gorgeous looking (and I'm guessing sounding) guitar! Your friend must have been ecstatic about such a present thanks for posting ^^

It is also very inspiring that you are building guitars out of the kitchen. Keep up the great work hope you manage to find a better working space to pursue your interest.

[quentinjazz]

Thank you guys, that's very kind!
I can't wait to have some space dedicated for lutherie...
I'm so much looking forward to making a new build...

I had the opportunity to diassemble an old upright made with solid honduran mahogany, recently, here are some backs:




Very even color, deep taptone... and 100 years dry!!!!

I could save enough wood to make 4 guitar sets, some necks, internal blocks, ukulele sets, even some linings that I will kerf later for making kerfings!!
Best thing ever!
All for free..

[SJ VanSandt]

That's not your go-bar deck is it?

Beautiful OM by the way - very classy rosette and binding.

[quentinjazz]

Originally Posted by SJ VanSandt

That's not your go-bar deck is it?

Beautiful OM by the way - very classy rosette and binding.

No, my go bar deck is still a piano
The mahogany piano was a wreck and I think it will be a nice end for this wood to be used as music instruments again!
I wish I could get some more...

[Treenewt]

That is stunning. I love the way you positioned the grain on gbe headstock! Very cool movement there! Nicely done!

[quentinjazz]

Originally Posted by Treenewt

That is stunning. I love the way you positioned the grain on gbe headstock! Very cool movement there! Nicely done!

Thanks, that's my signature
Maybe some other folks did it, but I never seen it myself on other guitars !
I love it, and that way there is no waste of wood as I use the leftovers from the sides and back and joint them together to get a big headplate.

[quentinjazz]

Hi,

I found these two videos in my phone, so excuse the poor quality, but it can give an idea of the tone, maybe.
My friend Marc loved the guitar!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpMQHg-yJkw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxiN-kTi3IA

[SJ VanSandt]

That was nicely done - I still love that song. The guitar sounds great - nice crisp bass notes, good balance, no boxiness. Great job!