I look forward to getting the fretboard back from Larry.
As we discussed, that will tell us volumes about rosette direction.
One thing that comes to mind is slicing off pieces of the Lignum at a 45 degree orientation to the grain. When reversed against each other, we would have some Lignum herringbone. Something one doesn't see often from supply houses.
(And wouldn't you know, we used our last bits just last year...oh well...)

Just more grist for the mill.

Steve

Man that herringbone idea is phenomenal! That's why they pay you the big bucks!

And keep in mind, you have a big ole chunk of Lignum coming your way from me.

Great...Ryan's gonna kill me....

So let me factor in the cost of a funeral to the guitar quote.

Yep. Consider yourself killed.

Wow! I didn't know this was in the works until just now. I guess it goes to show how much I browse around the forum. This is going to be a great guitar, to say the least! The back and sides look phenomenal!

Steve, what is the glue of choice in creating this marquetry with this oily wood?

Good question Bob. Not too worried, as the ensemble (if indeed we go this route) will be buried in channels, and bordered with non-oily woods.
I normally use Elmer's white glue to assemble these, and at times flood with CA.
Now you've made me think about this, and probably worry some too.
So forget earlier comment about not being too worried...

Thanks a lot.

;)

I think your idea to use Lignum Vitae for some accents is a great idea. Steve Sheriff used Lignum for bindings, a back center wedge, heel cap and back plate on the headstock of the guitar he built for me. l love the way it looks--very beautiful and understated, and has a neutral quality to it so it complements the other woods very well. By the way, Hibdon Hardwoods has genuine Lignum fretboard blanks for sale. They have mostly straight grain patterns and would also work well for crossgrain pieces, I think.

Fretboard
 

Received the fretboard from Larry sporting the tree-of-life inlay. Nice work Larry. In this pic the area towards the soundhole end is a little obscured due to the reflection. All-in-all I'm very happy with it. Looks like it will play comfortably too.

Steve is working to finish the headstock veneers and that will ship to Larry for the torch inlay shortly. We should see pics of that work very soon.

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Very Nice Dennis. I can't believe all the color variations using just wood pieces. Fantastic. Larry is pretty darned talented to say the least.

Appreciate your comments Tom. Glad Steve engaged with Larry on this one. I'm anxious to see what he does with the torch. This fretboard is going to be exquisite all dressed up with gold EVO frets and binding. YeeHaw!

That fretboard is beautiful, Dennis--very tasteful. It should play into your overall theme very nicely!

I like it. Very tasty in deed.

Work on the peghead
 

Thank you much guys. Appreciate you following along.

Steve routing the slots in the peghead.

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And here drilling the holes for the tuners. Wait till you see the tuners we are putting on this one!

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Work on the peghead is almost done. Steve is conferring with Larry on whether or not to add purfling and bind the peghead before Larry inlays the torch. It will be on it's way to Larry shortly.

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Dennis, you should feel like a kid on Christmas Eve! That's quite enough to keep one awake at night!
Steve

Binding
 

After much discussion (considering some pretty darn fancy binding woods) and sage advice from my luthiers, we've agreed on Ebony for binding/armrest on my OM. There are some significant design elements on this guitar (both decided and yet to come), not to mention this gorgeous b/s set, and in order to allow for those to shine hoping not to distract, Ebony is the logical choice. Should really will punch up the dark spider lines in the b/s.

I have also heard from Mr. Alessi regarding the tuning machines and he expects to finish them up this week. Wait 'til you get a gander at those!

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Awesome, Dennis. This one is going to be a keeper for sure!

I totally agree, Dennis--the back and sides are so incredible that ebony will really allow the other woods to become the focal point and do the talking.

You must be getting super excited!

I believe Dennis is, and I know we are.
Because the artistic embellishments are so pronounced on this upcoming build, we started with the fretboard/peghead which are currently being beautified at Larry Robinson's shop. When back, several other critical choices will be made that will compliment the Robinson inlay, e.g. the rosette.
It's sort of the reverse of the first Tom Bowersox build, where the rosette was designed/inlaid, and then everything else was designed around that.
Dennis was clear about his fretboard/peghead, and then everything else will be made to compliment that.
I guess I'm saying it's unusual to feel this artistic adrenaline so early on in a build. And as we're doing the artistic stuff on Tom's 2nd build right now
I'm pretty much up in the stratosphere.

Steve

Yummmm...
 

Wow what a set of back and sides! Holy cow.

This is a fun one to watch

Cheers

Paul

Holy schmoly! That's outrageously cool looking.

As Steve mentioned, because of the need to get the neck and headstock done and sent out for inlay, Dennis's build and mine have unexpectedly overlapped which is kind of cool because if I am not mistaken it was Dennis's playing of the aforementioned first build (BRW/Italian Spruce killer SJ) that sparked Dennis in going for his own Kinnaird.

I will echo the crowd here, Ebony is a great choice for those woods and oh my Lord those woods. They are outstanding and look at the deep richness of the colors coming out with some naptha or whatever it was......YIKES

The build begins ... officially
 

Well folks ... things are about to get real ... fast! When I see the gathering of materials like this it can only mean one thing. Launch is imminent!

Although you have seen some activity prior to now, most of that was to facilitate getting the fretboard and headstock ready for inlays (by Larry Robinson). But now the build is getting ready to start. Ryan told me mid-February and he wasn't just a whistling Dixie!

We will be picking tops soon. I've got goosebumps!

Hope you enjoy the ride as much as I know I will! :)

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Thanks Wayne. Maybe I'll tote this one along to our next AGF gathering!

You bet Kevin. Over the edge!

Glad to have you along for the ride Paul!

Thanks Jon! I know you must be anxious to see that Mahogany beauty under finish. Can't wait myself.

Yup! Guess your SJ gave me the fever. Have to say it has been wonderful working with these guys. You and I are going to have to play our OMs in the same room someday ... soon!

That looks great Dennis, I did not know they built from a kit hahaha. It is cool to see all of the pieces sans top anyway in one photo like that. I guess I have learned a little bit as I can identify everything haha.

All the best, it looks great already. And yes, I hope the future holds another session for our OMs to meet.

What's cookin' ???
 

Imagine my surprise when I got this photo. NO ... I did not order a torrified top! What is going on here?

As it turns out, Steve ordered some new Italian Spruce and their pre-drying process includes about 15 minutes at 195 degrees dropping the internal moisture to the place where the guitar will live. It makes the wood more stable to work with.

Can you pick out the top I chose?

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Don't worry, they did this on mine too....it came out great, once in a while I get a little garlic pizza smell when full strumming, but that can be good too....

Alessi tuners
 

And speaking of pizza ...

When I asked Steve about tuners he gave me a few sites to look at. Never knew there were so many out there. After careful review of well over 350 designs and combinations I settled on these from a nice old gentleman in Italy. I will be shipping these off to Texas in the morning.

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Oh my oh my, those are really something!!! What are the tuner pegs made from? Wow!!!!!!!

Gorgeous!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Wow, this one is sure to be a stunner...CONGRATS!