Is that purpleheart in the headstock block?

Pretty cool!

Yup! I made a batch of neck blocks with a laminated construction of lightweight Spanish Cedar, and super-hard Purpleheart to support the bolts in the neck joint. There’s a Maple veneer “buffer zone” between the Spanish Cedar and Purpleheart, and everything is glued with LMI FGX glue. There is a method to my madness.

Minor correction: The back is not glued on quite yet. It is fitted, and the back and sides interior are sealed with shellac. I have two other guitars on the bench right now, so I am bouncing from one to the other, to the other. I will close the box on this one after I get the top braced and tuned. Then we’ll be at the official halfway point of the construction.

I’m working seven days a week, so that will happen pretty soon.

More progress:

Bracing done and top voiced:

https://i.imgur.com/eqw6mSE.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/cayIMbi.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/49dCKGj.jpg

Box closed up:

https://i.imgur.com/ukEdXc5.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/OaCjKKu.jpg

Perfling sample. I think it's going to look great!

https://i.imgur.com/XUo7k0p.jpg

I asked Steve to build a light weight guitar. All my favorite guitars have been light. To me they ring more and are more resonate. Steve did not disappoint. The box came in at 40.42 Oz. Two and a half pounds!

https://i.imgur.com/rngg4y4.jpg

He said the bindings and trim will add a few ounces, but still... I'm really happy with how this is coming along.

That's looking incredible. I love how the details tie together throughout the guitar without being ostentatious. Really beautiful.

Gorgeous! The dual sound ports are effective.

James, you must be pleased so far.

Yessir! I am very pleased. So far, he has done exactly what I was hoping for.

I just finished up the purfling, binding, and bevel trim. I’m pleased with the way this guitar is coming together. It’s got a simple, elegant theme. Here are some down ‘n dirty phone shots from a few minutes ago.Attachment 55977Attachment 55978Attachment 55979
Attachment 55980Attachment 55981
With the trim work all done, the sound box still comes in at well under 3 pounds...

Attachment 55982

Stay tuned for the neck work!

Looking great you guys! This is really going to be a beautiful instrument!

Such a great looking build!

There are a lot of builds on here that I personally wouldn't want, but this one is really up my alley. Very, very nice.

Beautiful work and amazing details, Steve. I’m very much looking forward to meeting you (and your guitars) at BIG. Dave

Steve has been busy! Here he is laying out the fretboard markers and 12th fret detail:

https://i.imgur.com/gBh5Ap1.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/gyQgImV.jpg

And the building of a neck begins:

https://i.imgur.com/jEPX4gD.jpg

The neck is always a mystery to me.

I really like the detail on the 12th fret, classy, not over-the-top, but really pretty.

Starting to look a bit more like a guitar:

https://i.imgur.com/bSOIJ8m.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ApvUBP8.jpg