Thanks, I think of Koa as the most exotic of the domestic woods.

Thanks Lonzo! Those are my custom tuner buttons from the same burl the headplate came from. This is a custom build for a fairly light touch player so the top voicing and the choice of a very lightweight cedar top will give the guitar loads of response. Lonzo I do have a lot more of this Amboyna Burl...just say'n :).

Thanks Paul! I am really proud of that rosette too. I'm pretty sure I'll be doing more.

Thanks Again!
Mark

Hi Mark, have sent a PM... just sayin’ ��

Great! Thanks
Mark

More Details
 

The Koa Penelope has got the frets on and the neck is attached. I shot a few details as this guitar is coming together:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f4d3da29_c.jpg

As you can see this has a satin finished neck which has a very nice feel. Cigarfan's enthusiasm for satin necks has definitely rubbed off on me and since doing his the majority of guitars coming out of my studio have them,

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...4bd32cd8_c.jpg

You can see the cross grained center strip hasn't change. It is Brazilian Rosewood in this case. I bordered it with Padauk purfling lines to add just a touch of red to the neck.

As is my way, another feature is a purfling line under the fretboard which also is Padauk:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...43e90ea3_c.jpg

That purfling line goes on under the nut and headstock overlay:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...89b3b57e_c.jpg

The neck is 200yr+ old Honduran Mahogany which is lightweight, stable, and is a nice color match with the Koa:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...078aba58_c.jpg

Thanks for Viewing!
Mark

I've got a satin neck on two of my guitars and really love them.

This one really looks special, Mark--keep up the great work!

Wow, just gorgeous!!

Thanks Nemoman!

Thank you Steved63.

Mark

Bridge
 

There is a lot of Brazilian Rosewood on this guitar used for components and trim. The binding, headstock back plate, heel cap, center cross grain neck laminate, and fretboard are BRW.
Today I made the BRW bridge. It starts with a selected blank and a pencil line:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...b659d8fe_c.jpg

The profile is cut out and I am using my new jig to cut the back slanted saddle slot:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...834dd397_c.jpg

The bridge top is then radiused to match the fretboard and it is sculpted into shape and sanded. This part may look tedious but, if you were actually looking over my shoulder here and could smell the aroma that comes off BRW when you work it, you'd likely be asking if you could help!:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...d2c1d410_c.jpg

Similar to how the saddle is tilted back I also tilt the end pins and the bridge is ramped up from the back. Here I am drilling out the initial end pin holes:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...b06e4f13_c.jpg

I'm pretty far along:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...b5e50856_c.jpg

Thanks for following along!
Mark

Mark, what is the bit you are using here? The tip looks to be what I would see on a drill bit, but the shaft is closer to the spiral on a cutting milling bit. I'm am assuming you are routing the slot here and not just drilling holes and clearing the material between manually.

Hi Ian, You’re correct, I am using a drill bit there. I am installing an 11/64ths thick saddle. I am drilling an 11/64ths hole on either end of the slot to set the floor depth and width of the slot. This also gives me nice round ends. I then come back with an 1/8” router bit to cut the slot using the holes as reference.

Mark

Mounting Bridge
 

And on goes the bridge:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a89b624b_c.jpg

M

The dwarf?
 

... I clearly see a dwarf.. pointed hat and beard, 2 short arms and legs

Anyway... what a set ... to dream of !

That figure is crazy. I usually keep the woods for scheduled builds displayed on my back wall. Not this one, it is too much of a distraction!

Mark

Strings on Photos
 

I have the Cedar/Koa Penelope strung up now and did a round of photos:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...74e382e4_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ac9b8afc_c.jpg

I particularly liked working working with the two toned Amboyna Burl on the headstock, tuner buttons, and rosette:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...0585642c_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f35abbab_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...14e8801b_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...24382912_c.jpg

So far the guitar sounds great. It has a requested 1 7/8ths nut and 2 5/16ths saddle string spread which I find very comfortable to play.

I will try to get some sound clips up this week!

Mark

That guitar really resonates with my personal aesthetics. It is absolutely beautiful.