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

[Stevien]

Being an Oregonian, I've been a fan of Myrtle for a long time. It doesn't have the dominant personality that you expect to find in a rosewood or mahogany, or even maple for that matter. I put it in the same category as walnut, being more transparent, & letting the top do all the talking. Breedlove has been using it successfully for decades. But in the hands of a hand builder, Myrtle can be pure magic!
Steve

[CaE]

How refreshing it is to find people who like myrtle as a tonewood. I have a passion for alternative tonewoods- domestic and exotic alike. It's not always a path that's full of company. So to hear that there are others out there with like minds is reassuring.

As has been mentioned, my NB series guitars are simple in aesthetic but still receive the same level of detail in construction as my custom guitars. The top is a perfect example of this. I treat it like any other top- carefully testing it during its construction to get the most out of it tonally. So if you've followed any of my custom builds, these images should look rather familiar:





The process is the same as a custom build- carefully thickness the top, glue on braces, and meticulously tune it until its optimum performance is achieved.

More to come. Thanks for following along.

[printer2]

Sure not sparing any clamping rods (what do you call it when made of wood?) on this one. Hard to see the top under them.

[CaE]

Originally Posted by printer2

Sure not sparing any clamping rods (what do you call it when made of wood?) on this one. Hard to see the top under them.

Unless I'm mistaken, they're called go bars regardless of the material. And yes, I've gotten rather proficient at fitting 10lbs in a 5lb bag.

[Stevien]

Is that walnut you're using for bridge plate?
Steve

[CaE]

Originally Posted by Stevien

Is that walnut you're using for bridge plate?
Steve

That's honduras rosewood.

[CaE]

The box is all closed up and binding is on! The scheme for the NB series is a simple black/maple/black purfling on top with binding around the rest of the guitar sans purfling. This guitar has indian rosewood binding.

[nacluth]

Looks killer! What a great guitar.

[Mark Lew]

Wow! I knew that back was gonna be fantastic, and it's not even finished yet. It's gonna really shimmer... I love myrtlewood! Great job Chris. Can't wait to see the end product.

[David Wren]

That back should look great under a finish ... very nice!

[CaE]

Originally Posted by nacluth

Looks killer! What a great guitar.

Thanks Ryan!

Originally Posted by Mark Lew

Wow! I knew that back was gonna be fantastic, and it's not even finished yet. It's gonna really shimmer... I love myrtlewood! Great job Chris. Can't wait to see the end product.

Mark,
I'm glad you like it. I have high hopes for it as well.

Originally Posted by David Wren

That back should look great under a finish ... very nice!

I sure hope so. Thanks for following along David. I'm glad to see you're making dust again.

[CaE]

Lots of work has been going on in the shop, not all of it woodworking. I've "carved" out some time to work on guitars through all the hysteria.

A simple mahogany neck:

[CraigD]

I have been admiring the 3 guitars you have at Guitar Gallery, all 3 have exceptional sound just beautiful and so different. Someday maybe, love this line don't really care about bling, it's all about the sound and playability.

[CaE]

Finish is always exciting. It's when the true depth and colors come out of the woods. My NB Series guitars will have a satin finish rather than a gloss. The process is the same right up until the topcoats. From my tests, it should be a very nice finish!

Here we go...

Before first coat:



After first coat:

[Zandit75]

Wow, loving those back and sides!
Very reminiscent of Black Heart Sassafras!