Quilted Sapele OM for TAMCO

[Steve Kinnaird]

It was our great pleasure to visit Trevor's shop a couple of years back. What a collection of outstanding instruments. And Trevor is a fine host to American tourists. Get him to take you to Beachy Head. The whole experience was one of the high points of that visit to southern England.
While there, we made the acquaintance of Richard Thomas who writes for "Acoustic" magazine (one of the many hats he wears). As we have corresponded over the ensuing months, Richard and I began to hammer out some details for a future build. Of course, Richard and Trevor did some hammering as well since this is going through Trevor's shop.

So here are a few progress shots of the next TAMCO build.
First, gluing the Sapele back together. This was the best set we had, and expect to get:



Ryan cutting the back free from the panel:




And here is the back with its ebony inlay, ready for bracing:



The pics are a wee bit blurry, but you can just see some of the deep quilting in this set. Hope you enjoy, and thanks for looking.

Steve

[Trevor M]

Looking good Steve, looking forward to seeing it progress (and playing it).

[TomB'sox]

OK, just to expose myself as the weirdo I am, in the photo of Ryan at the bandsaw, that bottom section of the back just above and including that little sapwood section, looks exactly like a bear dressed up in a police uniform wearing a police hat.....OK OK I have problems, but it is there plain as day.

Rather than feel weird, I feel sorry for the rest of you that can't see it

[Trevor M]

I see it....

[TomB'sox]

Sadly, the back inlay has been placed over his mouth, nose, and insignia on his hat...He now looks like a bear that ran into an black flagpole!

[TomB'sox]

Originally Posted by The Acoustic Music Co (TAMCO) UK

I see it....

Thank you, vindication is sweet!

[dennisczech]

Quite a friendly looking bear, given his choice of hat, all things considered. Good spot.

[Steve Kinnaird]

Tom, I bet you'd ace a Rorschach test!

Steve

[Steve Kinnaird]

Now that Tom has identified the spirit of the guitar, it seems the proper time to show the top:




Bearclaw Sitka, the obvious choice.

Steve

[Marcus Wong]

Haha! This is turning out to be an entertaining thread for not your usual reasons. It cannot be unseen, thanks Tom. A bear themed guitar is underway. Looking forward to it

[Steve Kinnaird]

Yes, thanks Tom. I may not be able to see past that now!

Here goes the rosette, being glued into the top. We've spared you the details of routing the spruce. Decided to use a ring of Sapele, bound by violin purflings.
Clamping pressure supplied by Brickhenge:



And the completed top, cut to rough shape with sound hole cut out:




Thanks for watching along,

Steve

[Mark Hatcher]

That figure is unbearlievable!

Mark

[Trevor M]

Fantastic bearclaw, I think its the best I've seen.

[TomB'sox]

Originally Posted by Steve Kinnaird

Yes, thanks Tom. I may not be able to see past that now!

Steve

I am sorry Steve, please bear in mind that I sometimes find myself quite funny, Kathy calls me unbearable sometimes. I think with the ebony you will Barely be able to see it. Well I have had a long day. So with that, I must bid adieu and buckle down to finish this bear of a day I am having.

I hope you have a beary good evening.

Tom

PS, the woods are very beautiful, the top is really going to pop under finish and the figure of the back is out of this world....

[Kenneth Casper]

Steve, looking forward to following this one. I've got a couple of similar sets, though without the bear The wood doesn't have the greatest tap tone, so I'm curious how it will sound as a guitar.

Ken