Thanks Paul! I'll have more pictures up before I ship it off to Germany.


Thanks Dennis! Yes, that's a Padauk stand I'm trying out. I have a gallery show coming up in September and since it's not a situation where people will be able to touch or play I thought I could at least make a stand on a motorized turntable so they could see a guitar all the way around.

Thanks Matthew! Lots of maple on this one. The trim is mostly Macassar Ebony with a little Claro Walnut in the rosette. We are trying to avoid any border issues.

Thanks you Wayne! I imagine we will cross paths in a future show. I having no guitar shows scheduled this year but next year I have some commitments.

Really a treat to see this one come to life. Such spectacular workmanship and some pretty zippy wood too!

Thanks for following along ukejon. These quilted maple wood sets really pop when the finish goes on. I'm also happy to see how easily Macassar Ebony works as a rosewood replacement for the trim.

Final Shots
 

I've done the final setup on this Greta and it's about ready to be shipped off. I took some final shots to show some more of the details;

It has a Macassar Ebony head plate to go with the Macassar custom tuner buttons.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4362/...132e7b77_c.jpg

There is a body wedge for a little more playing comfort;

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4428/...cfb00382_b.jpg

This neck joins the body at the 13th fret position and you can see the gold Evo frets;

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4428/...556f99b9_c.jpg

The Macassar Ebony trim includes the binding which worked out quite well as a rosewood replacement. It's a bit harder to bend but, because it's harder wood it actually makes for a better, more protective binding;

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4432/...ee0919e6_c.jpg

Inside that top binding is the softer layers of purfling consisting of soft maple, black wood, and Black Walnut. This type of purfling set up provides a bit of cushion between the harder binding and the softer Sitka top;

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4364/...53060458_c.jpg

This guitar is to compliment a couple rosewood guitars by bringing it's Maple characteristics into the mix.

Beautiful job! Off to Germany then right?

Looks like another winner, Mark!

Man, the wood you get blows my mind.... Superb!

Thanks Tom, That's correct, this one is going to Germany.

Thank you Nemoman!

Thanks Diamondave. I've been keeping an eye out for great domestic woods for awhile now. I've also been approached by a number of retiring or downsizing luthiers and other artists/craftsman. I guess word has gotten out that I'm a sucker for beautiful woods. I've said it before, I'm thrilled with the materials I get to work with.

Mark

Lullaby Guitar
 

I've really looked forward to starting up this commission. This one is for a dad to use as a lullaby guitar for his two very young daughters. How great is that!
He already knew he wanted my little Piña model. Now I already consider this my snuggle model. In the shop I often refer to it as my "couch potato guitar". So we're off to a great start. We've already selected many of the woods for right now I'll start with the most important selection being the soundboard.
We're looking for lot's of rich response on this little guitar and are going with one of the Carter Redwood tops. I have a selection to choose from. The best of the Redwoods processed by the Carters were named trees. In this case a top from the "Truly Awesome" tree was selected.
Here is Alicia Carter giving a description of this particular tree and some history;

TA “Truly
Awesome” Log

This log was purchased from a mill on a private ranch. The tree on a slope and was said to have fallen naturally, due to heavy storms, in 1995. The log was one of three, cut 20’ or more from the ground. It was 5 feet in diameter, 17 feet long – an estimated 10,000 lbs of wood. It was hand split in Fall 1998 and the first sets were cut in Spring 1999. Because of its large diameter, it was sometimes possible to get two rings of billets: inner ring and outer ring. All billets split beautifully – very straight. The inner ring sets were naturally cured; they exhibited excellent stiffness to weight and sound characteristics. Soundboards made from this inner ring wood are pale gold with tonal range rivaling that of LS soundboards with a lighter weight. There were only a few of these inner ring billets, as the center of the tree had center or “wind” splits (common in the larger trees) and areas of uneven grain. Billets from the outer ring were bright, blood red when initially spit – very “green.” There were some billets taken from mid-diameter, also. When soundboard sets were dry, they were too “green” to use in guitars. Coloration was streaked and tone undeveloped until soundboards aged, air dried, for several years. As a result, most of the TA log remains in billet form. All soundboards now available were cut between January 1999 and March 2000. Outer ring sets (what is mostly available) are fine grain and stiff; coloration appears streaked before the sets cure, gradually clearing to gold. Sets cut today from mid-range billets should be ready for building when air dried, approximately 2-4 weeks. Sets cut in 1999, mostly from outer ring, have been made into fine guitars with unique redwood tonal characteristics: warmth of sound combined with clarity and broad tonal range and color.

How about some pictures?

You can see this is was rated by the Carters as AAAA or master grade

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4358/...a498aa16_c.jpg

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2857/...5906721f_b.jpg

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2823/...4ca3eea9_c.jpg

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2807/...1f003b10_c.jpg

And we're off! There will be a lot more pics to come.

Mark - thanks very much for this build. The process has been great thus far. I very much appreciate your experience and recommendations as we go. I've been having a blast watching your other builds to date. Glad to be a part of one!

Can't wait to play the Pina for my girls! They're still little, so hopefully will have a few years before eye-rolls and objections.

Well NewPicker you can probably tell this is an exciting build for me!

We selected a nice set of Madagascar Rosewood for the back and sides. Between the quality Redwood top and the wonderful tones of Madagascar we'll be able to get a very dynamic guitar here;

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2815/...eaf2709d_b.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4180/...079f5443_b.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4294/...78c9f7e1_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4294/...d8d8b51e_c.jpg

Lot's more to come!
Mark

Update Pictures
 

Here are more pictures of the back coming together;

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4341/...4089c003_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4391/...c57e3415_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4369/...9cdcb581_b.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4406/...21dd7903_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4428/...e70825b5_b.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4332/...c8518420_c.jpg

Rosette
 

We kicked some ideas around for the rosette inlay on this lullaby guitar.
Here's the plan;

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4388/...35c23985_c.jpg

That rosette is cool, are you going to go 'daytime' on the other side?

That originally was the intent. I thought it was a great idea but, the further I got into it the more I realized that it was a great idea for maybe a grandfather clock. I just couldn't pull the look that far away from a guitar. Besides lullabies are about it being night and going to bed after all.

We went with a mother of pearl moon and Holly stars on a darker, very figured Koa ring surrounded by abalone;

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4357/...9d5973ab_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4393/...9ca46527_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4393/...aa4f32a9_b.jpg

Stunningly beautiful

I like that rosette lullaby guitar or not!!!

wait, what?! how on earth did you cut stars that small that accurately?!

Although you were right, it looks much better in the result you have now.

David

Thanks ukejon!

Thanks Tom, Good! So that confirms that it's a good guitar design regardless if it's for a lullaby guitar. We just don't want the guitar to look like it has cartoons on it, if you know what I mean.

Thanks David, yeah cutting those stars was nut's right?

We've worked out the trim for the guitar. We narrowed down the binding to light or dark flamed Koa and Black Ebony;

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4420/...ee77e9bf_c.jpg

The Black Ebony would bring out the black grain lines in the Madagascar Rosewood but, maybe a little too formal or dark for a lullaby guitar. The Koa offers a little figured charm and more contrast with the dark top and back. The question being: How much contrast do you want?.

We're going with the lighter Koa.

Top Purfling
 

We've also decided on going with abalone top purfling. Here's a mock up;

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4366/...4a20fab4_c.jpg

Meanwhile the body is closing up fast;

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4351/...a83fe0fc_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4388/...b1469f99_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4391/...6864974a_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4408/...01095122_c.jpg

I love everything about this guitar, from the look, down to the whole thought process behind the build. My daughters are now 13 and 16, and I wish I had thought of this for when they were younger. As a dad who loves his daughters, this build really makes me smile. Beautiful workmanship, as always, Mark.

Thanks Mike, It's a special build for me too!

Here are two pictures with the body closed;

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4342/...ecb9d488_b.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4394/...179ec3eb_c.jpg

Thanks for following along!
Mark

That Carter top is gorgeous! I keep showing my older daughter (3 years) the pictures of our new guitar. She just learned that the moon is sometimes shaped as a crescent, and was pretty excited about the rosette.

Lookin' Schweeet! Bet this guitar is going to really sound good!

Thanks cigarfan! I'm thinking this will sound great. When just tapping that Redwood top now it's loud, full, and it rings and rings.

I've started the Koa trim on the body and that begins with the end graft;

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4401/...ece9bf7d_c.jpg

I'm also working up the neck at this point. We're going with a rosewood neck. The more I use alternative woods for necks the more I like them, There is a great feel, additional sustain, stability, and while I freely admit this is a subjective opinion I believe I can hear tonal advantages as well;

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4317/...6301b4b1_c.jpg

Those who follow me probably know I do a variety of headstock styles. One is what I tend to call my sculpted pillow topped design. This is a lullaby guitar? Hmm that's a no brainer! Here is a picture of the design for those who don't normally follow my work;

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3916/...088298e0_c.jpg

End Graft
 

Here is a quick picture of the Koa end graft with a bit of Naptha to sow how the colors all line up;

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4336/...d1c8f6d5_b.jpg

Mark

Mark, totally unnecessary (though I never seem to tire of seeing more build pictures), there isn't anyone on the AGF that doesn't follow your work ... :D ... have you decided what headplate material you are going to use?

Thanks IBKuz!, were working out the wood combinations now for the head plate and fret board here are the contenders;

Black Ebony fret board and curly Koa headplate;

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4386/...acea710e_c.jpg

Macassar Ebony fret board and headplate;

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4367/...8cc55b60_c.jpg

Macassar Ebony fret board with curly Kos headplate;

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4387/...c7ea7824_c.jpg

As I did ask the question, I feel I should forward my thoughts on the contenders. The Koa headplate stands out more for me due to the fact it balances well with the top colour. The future owner's children might also find this piece more visually interesting, bobbing about all glittery and shiny, as their father plays to them. With your pillow 3D design, the curl should look very interesting.

While I like this piece of Macassar very much I find the Ebony ties the headstock and body together better to my eye, especially with an Ebony bridge. It also will provide more contrast with the neck, the Macassar fretboard may get a little lost against the neck unless you were to bind it with a contrasting material.


Just my 02, mileage may vary ... etc :wink:

I echo Ian's thoughts--I prefer the ebony fingerboard and the koa headplate. Although all the options are tasty, the ebony brings contrast and better integration with the bridge to the table. YMMV...