mikealpine |
08-17-2018 02:32 PM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marcus Wong
(Post 5811612)
This rosette is very nostalgic Steve. At the very start of my journey into luthier built instruments where I was commissioning my very first Michaud, Joel had borrowed one of your rosettes for one of his earlier builds and it was the nicest rosette I had seen, I wonder if you remember me telling you that hahah
Great you see you back on the forum! Congratulations Mike on the upcoming guitar - exciting times :D
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Hi Marcus, thanks for chiming in! I really loved the look of that rosette, and if you read my earlier comment on it, I have a connection with it on an emotional level as well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by theEdwinson
(Post 5811643)
Hey, Marcus, great to hear from you! Thanks for visiting this thread. I hope everything is great with you, and you are busy composing and playing your brilliant arrangements on your Michaud guitars. Yeah, I do remember you mentioning that rosette, and I was really honored and proud that a luthier of Joel Michaud’s prodigious talents would be inspired by one of my designs. I think the Element-style rosette he made was nicer than any of mine!
I would like to mention also, why I call this the “Element” design. Some years ago, I built a Performance Florentine model guitar for another of our longtime AGF denizens, Ernie Elemento. He set me on this path, asking me to try some new asymmetric designs for rosettes, and also design a new bridge shape. He and I were both pleased with the outcome, and the Element (from Elemento) rosette and bridge series have become my most popular designs.
This is how my guitars have evolved- building custom designs for discerning clients who bring their own ideas into the build. Exactly what Mike and I are doing with this Eclipse.
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Hmm...I think that Steve is being very humble, as usual, regarding Joel and the rosette. I'm thrilled with mine! And I like the back story on the "Element" naming. Very cool to be a part of something with a builder who is happy to share the evolution of his models. I'm very fortunate!
Quote:
Originally Posted by theEdwinson
(Post 5811659)
Here are some photos of the guitar in its current condition. I finished up the bevels yesterday, and I am SO GLAD Mike requested solid black Ebony trim. I’ve made several dozen bevels, but have never done them with solid black Ebony, usually choosing figured woods instead. I’m very pleased with the clean elegance of it.
Bear in mind, we are also using solid black Ebony for the bridge, front headstock, and fingerboard, so this theme will carry across the whole guitar. Attachment 12043Attachment 12044Attachment 12045Attachment 12046Attachment 12047Attachment 12048
The end graft inlay is a continuation of the segmented back inlay; and we are putting a pickup in the guitar, so I positioned the copper/shell dots to accommodate the pickup jack. It will be in the center of the end graft.
In the picture of the guitar on my workbench, you may notice the coiled black tube under the guitar. I want to mention this to other luthiers. It’s a mountain bike inner tube, filled with coarse sand, and tied off at both ends. This is simply the best guitar “cradle” you can use, because it conforms perfectly to the rounded backs and tops, provides a no-skid base for the body, and is made of nitrile rubber, which does not react to any guitar finish. It costs about six bucks for the materials to make one, or even less if you are a bike person who goes through a few inner tubes a year. I call it the Blacksnake. Make one or two for your shop, and you will wonder how you ever managed without them! Here’s another shot: Attachment 12049 I should also mention, to all you guitar players- you should also make a blacksnake guitar cradle, and use it when you change strings and do routine maintenance on your guitars. Also, buy or make a neck cradle. You will thank yourself, because everything will be so much easier and more secure.
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I am thrilled with the ebony bevels!! Sometimes when there's some figuring on the top and sides, then a figured bevel is in the mix, I feel the patterns kind of bump up against each other, and can be very busy, at least to my eye. I think the black bevels allow the beauty of the top and side woods to stand out on their own, yet all tie in together.Also very cool how Steve tied in the end graft, and will allow the jack to sit between the two dots. I couldn't be happier with how this is turning out!
Quote:
Originally Posted by printer2
(Post 5811739)
Now I know what I am going to do with that tube I have been saving. I knew it would be used in some way for my building but I have not figure out the best application. I wanted to make a neck cradle with lead bird shot but the stuff costs an arm and a half. Also was looking for some leather to use, I think I have a small wheel innertube somewhere.
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That is a pretty crafty setup. Thanks for coming along for the ride!
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