My first build.... 2.5 years worth

[nashmore]

Hey everybody, I've been building electrics for a few years and decided to try an acoustic. I started this because I have a late 1955 Gibson country western that has been passed down to me and needs some TLC. It has some bellying and a crack from the soundhole to the finger board. It still plays fine but I like the history that it shows and I'll just leave it be.

So, my first attempt took 2.5 years... learning as I went and using my dads shop (he lives 30 minutes form me). I only had weekends to work on it and during that time my wife and I had a baby. Long story short I only had X amount of time per weekend.... I hate waiting for things to glue up.

Anyway, guitar specs
top- sitka spruce one step below master grade
braces- sitka spruce
back and sides- bocote
neck- h mahogany with figured maple strip
headstock/finger board/ binding- cocobolo

Oh ya, I finished it just before xmas 2013
Pics



Dad's shop.... lots of toys

[nashmore]

And more

binding



finger board slots


Neck

[nashmore]

almost done....











And I have yet to take pics of it finished as I'm too busy playing... soon though...

[Scootch]

Just beautiful! I love that bridge.

[jthorpe]

That is soooo cool!

The grain on the back and sides is b-e-a-utiful!

The fact that you made that yourself is amazing! Congratulations on time well spent, enjoy every minute of playing that fine instrument

[CoolerKing]

Never seen a hybrid X/Fan brace. Cool!

[Clydeslide]

That's a lovely looking guitar! Especially the neck-to-body joint. Are you considering building more.

[Dru Edwards]

That bocote looks great! What kind of tone are you expecting from the guitar?

... and Welcome to the AGF!

[nashmore]

Originally Posted by Scootch

Just beautiful! I love that bridge.

Thanks! The bridge is inspired from NK Forster guitars. I watched a lot of his youtube vids and read up on Stefan Sobell, Jim Olson and Charles Hoffman.

Originally Posted by jthorpe

That is soooo cool!

The grain on the back and sides is b-e-a-utiful!

The fact that you made that yourself is amazing! Congratulations on time well spent, enjoy every minute of playing that fine instrument

Thank you!

Originally Posted by matthewpartrick

Never seen a hybrid X/Fan brace. Cool!

I got the idea from PRS then I learned that Steve Fischer was the one that designed them for PRS. So I did my version of it

Originally Posted by Clydeslide

That's a lovely looking guitar! Especially the neck-to-body joint. Are you considering building more.

Once you start you can't stop. I have a nice piece of cocobolo that isn't big enough for my current design so a few nights ago I designed myself a parlor guitar. I'll try an X brace with a Somogyi inspired bracing.

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

That bocote looks great! What kind of tone are you expecting from the guitar?

... and Welcome to the AGF!

The tone is bright and crisp with loads of overtones when played soft. When played hard it just drives with hugh volume and sustain. I wish I put a sound port in. It's nothing like the gibson.

Thanks for looking and commenting. Much appreciated!

[Rossw]

Very impressive. Looks like a thick one. What's the depth below the bridge?

[Clydeslide]

Originally Posted by nashmore

Once you start you can't stop. I have a nice piece of cocobolo that isn't big enough for my current design so a few nights ago I designed myself a parlor guitar. I'll try an X brace with a Somogyi inspired bracing.

Well if you need someone to test it feel free to send it my way.

[SJ VanSandt]

Killer good looks. Under finish that bocote/cocobolo combination looks great. Love the heelcap, the rosette - the whole works, really.

[nashmore]

Originally Posted by Clydeslide

Well if you need someone to test it feel free to send it my way.

My problem is that i'm a collector of my own work.

Originally Posted by SJ VanSandt

Killer good looks. Under finish that bocote/cocobolo combination looks great. Love the heelcap, the rosette - the whole works, really.

Thank you! Over time the cocobolo should darken up and make more contrast on the binding.

[Halcyon/Tinker]

I really like that heel cap treatment...

[ecguitar44]

Beautiful work, sir!

How deep is the body? Looks to be about 8 inches!