Thanks OddManOut,

Whenever I build a guitar I try to center the design around a guiding theme.
More than not the inspiration for that theme is nature provided. That's part of the privilege of being able to work with such wonderful materials.

Mark

That's one of the things I like best about your guitars, Mark. Each one of them is a unique, individual entity; and the way you design and build, you are using these exceptionally beautiful woods to their fullest tonal and aesthetic advantage.

One time, at a craft gallery in LaConner, WA, I saw a large table that someone had built out of the most stunning, iridescent, shimmering Koa I had ever seen. The table top was about an inch and a half thick, all solid Koa! It was a true show piece, just mind-blowingly gorgeous wood.
It made me sad to think how many splendid guitars could have been made with that once-in-a-century Koa. You know what I'm saying?
So when I see what you do with these beautiful woods you have, it's cause for celebration!

Thank-you very much for your kind words. I've met some pretty passionate furniture builders so I try not to begrudge them their share but gorgeous Koa?
An inch and a half thick you say? Awe 😧

End Graft
 

In keeping with the red theme I am setting in the Bloodwood end graft here:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7402/...e38e02d5_c.jpg

Here it is cleaned up a bit:

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8601/...874f8f6b_c.jpg

Next will be the Boodwood binding

Thanks for checking it out!
Mark

Goodness,
 

Mark,
Your work, both luthier-istically and photographically, is a wonder. I am totally impressed.

What's even more amazing it that he can get to his shop out back with all the snow we have had in the last 2 weeks!

Thanks TomB'sox and JJI,

Yea, I've been commuting to work by snowblower!

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/...226c1b48_c.jpg

Mark

In a bind
 

These are pictures of the Bloodwood binding going on:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7339/...284b15c6_c.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7392/...bd8da5a1_c.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7415/...dfe800ff_c.jpg

I'll use Bloodwood for the cross grained center laminate going up the neck. It will be set between two maple lams. I'm thinking a Bloodwood laminate on the back of the headstock and custom Bloodwood tuner buttons.
What do you think?

Mark

Might be too much of a good thing? I think I'd rather see dark wood on the back of the headstock, maybe with a thin red laminate under it, and dark tuner buttons. But those would be easy enough to change out. I'm sure you will chose the right thing - I have yet to see one of your guitars that wasn't tastefully done.

I really like the idea. The red theme is so visually striking and attractive.

Hey Mark,
I love watching your work, This is going to be a beauty! I do like the bloodwood trim too.
There is one thing missing in your wonderful pictures, SAWDUST, where is all the sawdust??? :D
Beautiful work, Thanks for sharing. It threads like yours and a few others here that got me talked into trying to build. Keep them coming.
Travis

I really like the bloodwood elements, but I'm with SJ--I think the bloodwood on the back of the headstock may be too much. I like the idea of the red tuner buttons though. I think using a strip of it up the center of the neck will really look sharp. This guitar has really been executed and integrated beautifully throughout--thanks for sharing it with us!

I could do a BRW back laminate but, I'm pretty sold on the idea of Bloodwood tuner buttons (if they don't prove to be too brittle). That way when you look at the back of the headstock the BRW will more or less be framed in the red of the buttons. The top of the headstock will be sculpted BRW bound in Bloodwood.

Thanks for the feedback!
Mark

Thanks Travis,

Saw dust? Seems all I do sometimes is manage saw dust! I try to keep it under control (not always well). One thing that helps is my main work table is on wheels and is set up as a down draft table. One of these days I'll shoot some pictures of what I can do with this table, I'm pretty proud of it and it works well for me.

Cheers,
Mark

Initial Clean-up
 

Here is the full bodied BRW Josie SJ model after the initial clean-up:

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8676/...f5ae09ed_c.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/...946b4e85_c.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7376/...ddaa7649_c.jpg

That Adirondack top is looking pretty good, don't you think?

Thanks,
Mark