Build Thread -- Indian Hill Guitar Ziricote/Cedar for Dream Guitars
 

Hi everyone,

I've got a build well underway that is destined for Dream Guitars in the new year and thought I'd catch you all up. This one is my Grand Concert model with a killer set of ziricote and sinnker cedar top. I've built a couple of guitars with this combo and have absolutely loved the results every time. On to the pics...


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...8a31ec36_c.jpg


One side laminated while the other is clamped up and drying...


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ffeb0800_c.jpg


The process of ebonizing the inner side lamination -- untreated spanish cedar, wiped with quebracho, wiped with iron acetate (steel wool in vinegar)...

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...1a21d114ec.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ccbbb98548.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...8a1fb6fbb3.jpg


Joining the rim...


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...0b53c373_c.jpg


Bracing the back...


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ae337e76_c.jpg


Back glued on with the interior stained...


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...d600dbf5_c.jpg


A simple radial ziricote rosette with maple and rosewood purfling...


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...12b716cb_c.jpg


More pics soon, thanks for looking!

On to the second half of the woodwork for this guitar! One of my favorite starts to a day in the shop is when I get to take off the binding tape and clean up the body...


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...219474ae_z.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...747788be_z.jpg


Prepping to inlay an endgraft...


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...5b022940_c.jpg


All cleaned up...


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a4733344_c.jpg


Carrying the theme onto the headstock...


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3ec9c27e_c.jpg


And showing the "hidden" truss rod access...


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...0a9779f7_c.jpg


Fully sanded and ready for finish!


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f610a29e_c.jpg


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f43963d8_c.jpg


Based on the frequencies I'm getting from tapping this one I think it's going to be quite the monster of a guitar! It's been a few years since I've built in this shape (my largest) and the first time I've done a tornavoz with this model so I'm quite excited to hear it rumble! Now I just need to patiently wait a month or two until I get it back in my hands and can finish it up...

Looks wonderful and based on your comments, is going to sound wonderful as well!

The spiderwebbing in that Ziricote is amazing--Mother Nature at its finest!

Man, I love what you're doing with the ebonizing! Such a cool look! This one is gonna be a beauty!

This looks just great and I can only imagine what a beast it will be if it's even close to the guitar Mike just delivered to me. Among a stable of really nice instruments that I love, I find myself grabbing for my Indian Hill more than others. It may still be a honeymoon period, but I'm unusually smitten with this guitar and I'm already thinking about another...

It's a sample size of one for me, but based on that, I'm really, really, extraordinarily impressed by Mike's ability to build.

Thanks!


I feel pretty lucky that I get to work with such beautiful materials and do my best to make sure I let that natural beauty shine through!


Thanks -- it's been fun messing around with the aesthetics of the interior on these past few builds.


Wow, thanks Bill! :) Knowing some of what's in your stable that means quite a lot!


One final pic from yesterday while I start the wait for the finishing. I do really love a nice bevel!


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...225e8fa6_c.jpg

That is a lovely headstock!

Sweet!
 

Very pretty instrument and woods!

Is there a sonic benefit to the ebonized interior or just for the cool looks?

Carry on and have Fun

Salud

Paul

Very nice work, Mike. Really nice attention to detail. Made me go to your website, where I was knocked out by your hand-rubbed maple/spruce 00 with f-holes. Stunning.

Mike
is it a 12 or 14 fret neck?

Just for looks! A lot of times I like to laminate with lighter colored woods (yellow cedar in this case) which to some might look strange with a dark outer back/sides.


Thanks for checking it out! I was quite smitten with that guitar -- it was one of those builds that I'd had in my head for years and it was nice to see it finally come to fruition.


This one is a 14-fret neck.