Oh my oh my. When you showed pictures of that top (and I saw it in person), I could not believe how alive it looked, flowing, one could not believe it did not have finish...now, wow is that top something or what. Yeah, great the walnut is pretty ;););), but I for one can not get past that top. Geez what a piece of wood.

Way to go Mark, better start building another one as that will go fast at your first show, if it makes it that long, which I think the only way that happens if it gets locked up somewhere and is not for public consumption!!!!

Screen licking good!

Thanks cigarfan, I was afraid the walnut would not have a lot of shimmer and the curl would just be dark lines but, it really did come alive!

I'll try to capture some representative pictures of the Bloodwood, it surprised me.

When I am done with these four show spec guitars I plan my next one to be a Pina hybrid parlor. I'm designing it now. It will be a new kind of hybrid. I am working on optimizing bracing for silk and steel strings. Silk and steel strings have a bad sound reputation but then, noone I am aware of actually makes a guitar for silk and steel. Just like you wouldn't expect nylon strings to sound good on a steel string body. Why would anyone expect silk and steel strings to sound good when they are just slapped on any guitar?
Why, you may ask, am I doing this kind of hybrid? Because my nylon crossover Penelope is very popular but, the one objection I get to nylon crossovers is that if this becomes the practice guitar "I don't want to loose my calluses". Silk and steel is between nylon and regular steel string and if on an optimized guitar it very well may prove to be the best of both worlds.

Beautiful wood really does evoke a visceral response, doesn't it?

Thanks

Rosette
 

Here is a close up of the Bloodwood rosette. It is bordered with Zebrawood radial purfling;

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1539/...f809ed60_c.jpg

Just magnificent!👍

Beautiful, Natalie said to tell you that the top looks like crushed velvet!!!!

Thanks ross748!

Tell Natalie I said thanks!:)

And I thought that other rim looked good, the claro walnut is beautiful. Even so, I just can't stop looking at the redwood top, its next level!

Very rich, classy and just simply beautiful. I'm very happy you have made plans to attend some shows. I am very much looking forward to meeting you and playing your guitars. Like Tom mentioned... that of course if they aren't swooped up by then!

That other rim is for a quilted maple small jumbo. That guitar will be trimmed in Cocobolo and when it's finished I think it will give the redwood top a run for it's money. Here is a picture of the woods for the maple guitar;

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5794/...676b1a4b_b.jpg


Thanks nootis!

I have inquiries out for several shows and I am building up a supply of guitars to have ready. I have been mainly filling orders with occasional spec guitars but, I really need to have guitars on hand not only for shows but, they are very helpful for visitors. If someone wants to buy one beforehand - great! I am just trying to get ahead of it. Plus, it's nice to build specs because they are feature rich and gives me a chance to show what I do and explore new possibilities. On top of all this more people need to hear and play my guitars. Sound clips only go so far and it's always nice to meet players!

Olivewood
 

I've been really working on my domestic wood selection lately but, I came across some curly Italian Olivewood billets that I couldn't pass up. I'm banking on getting two guitar sets big enough for any model I make.
I have a couple Italian Alpine Spruce tops that just seem a natural for this lovely looking wood!;

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1675/...12394078_c.jpg

Cheers!

WOW, that is gorgeous Olive wood Mark. I'm envious. Way until you get a whiff of it as you work it :)

You sure have a knack for coming up with some incredible woods (working to my advantage shortly!). This is really pretty stuff. Do you always buy billets?

Thanks, It was a good find! Tim, you were saying how great it smells when you work it. This morning I cut peripheral dimensions and cleaned it up some for pictures and you are right on that one! It makes me miss all the New Jersey Italian restaurants and especially Calandra's bread bakery in Newark but, I tell myself I have lost 50lbs since I moved up here to New Hampshire!

So here are those pictures. I tried to capture the curl figure and there is an edge picture to show that it's well quartered for Olivewood;

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1701/...23bacd3f_c.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1626/...7a4b2573_c.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1682/...145c3f34_b.jpg

I prefer to get billets but, I can't always. With billets you have more room to move around to get the profile cuts where you want. It's more work to have to resaw them but, that often leaves you with orphaned slices that make good back-ups or headstock overlays. The wood that come off around the profile often goes into bridges, tuner buttons, and if you're lucky maybe a neck. Another advantage is if someone sees a guitar you've sold and wants a similar one it helps to have sisters sets.

Beautiful. Will love to see this one finished and what the tonal qualities will be. Any plans on a top wood for this set Mark? Curious at to your sound expectations?