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-   -   Memphis Build Thread - Michaud OM-R Lucky Strike/"The Tree" (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=374041)

Marcus Wong 02-03-2015 07:11 AM

Memphis Build Thread - Michaud OM-R Lucky Strike/"The Tree"
 
Hey guys,


As some of you may know, it has been a long journey for me but I am finally nearing the end and I couldn't be happier how everything had turned out! I would first like to thank all the AGF members who had contributed so graciously and generously to my queries, and for those who even reached out to me to give me additional advice.

I chanced upon luthier Joel Michaud end of 2014 and for those who do not know, I came into possession of one of his guitars (http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=362939) and from then on, I never looked back. I knew that if I was to get a custom guitar of my dreams, it would be from Joel. It has been (and continues to be) an amazing pleasure to deal with Joel throughout our countless email exchanges. He is not only passionate about his craft, but also equally passionate about his customers :)

Without further ado...*drum roll*... Here is the much awaited (mainly on my part) "LUCKY TREE" build thread! This will of course be show cased at the Memphis Acoustic Guitar Festival.


Specs (there MIGHT be some minor changes along the way):

OM-R 15.5" lower bout
Lucky Strike Redwood Top
"The Tree" Quilted Mahogany Back & Double Sides
Honduras Mahogany One Piece Neck with Inlay
Wenge Bindings
Fanned Fret 25.0-25.75" (Perpendicular fret 7th fret)
Manzer Wedge
Bevel Armrest (Ryan/Laskin/Fay Hybrid)
Scoop Cutaway
Graf Tuners
Nut to Saddle 1 3/4" - 2 3/16"
Karura case - White opaque exterior with Red Velvet interior

A couple of custom features will be a Scratch Pad and it being built under 50% humidity as I live in Singapore. There will be some extra additional features which we have not decided on yet but I will edit the list as we continue on this journey.

Marcus Wong 02-03-2015 07:37 AM

Here is the fabled Master Grade Lucky Strike Redwood Top which taps like a Chinese Gongggg

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8aswjnfp.png

And here is the legendary "The Tree" Quilted Mahogany. Both pictures below IMO do not really do the wood justice. Perhaps further photo updates could bring about a clearer picture :)

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/...psmqqrz03u.png

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3qhzx0hs.jpg

Here is Joel's Drawing Board!

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/...psnd6pjrit.png

And here is a shot of the Top's design. That odd shaped thing under the Scoop Cutaway is the Scratch Pad which adds a percussive element. And that is the Ryan/Laskin/Fay Hybrid Bevel along with an asymmetrical bridge

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/...psepb565wj.png

A close up of the top shows the unfinished rosette design and fretboard binding.

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/...psv1ymklz5.png

The back is full due to the scoop cutaway. The subtle inlay will be in Wenge and Amboyna Burl

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/...pspsbnwegz.png

The asymmetrical headstock design has yet to be finalised but this is the idea we are toying with at the moment

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/...psyqkfkynl.png

Marcus Wong 02-03-2015 07:39 AM

Endgraft, inlay again in Wenge/Burl inlaid into the Wenge Binding. Note the Manzer Wedge

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/...pso7woeyuy.png

This was the original Modified Scoop Cutaway and Rosette design we were toying with but decided that a regular scoop cutaway would serve us better. Would definitely want those on a guitar some day!

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/...psrca28evl.jpg

That's it for now. I shall be bugging him for more photos soon ;) His artistic talent combined with his skills at building a mean guitar is making me extremely excited to see how this build unfolds. After much discussion with Joel, I have decided to relinquish all decision making with regards to the design to him so it will be pretty much a surprise to me as well as to how the final design turns out :D

Marcus Wong 02-03-2015 08:00 AM

Oh and I almost forgot, here is a sneak peek of the Graf Tuners and Hoffee Case! Found the images online so I hope there aren't any copyright issues involved! ><

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/...psv2xd5ccq.jpg

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/...psq9qa2adg.jpg

BBWW 02-03-2015 12:37 PM

I hear he might be doing one with a Moon Spruce top too. Someone I know already has some Tree guitars with Lucky Strike Redwood. :-). Going to be fun watching your build.

theEdwinson 02-03-2015 01:11 PM

WOW! Marcus, this is no doubt going to be one of the most extraordinary guitars any of us will ever see! That "Tree" mahogany is spectacular! Legendary!
I've become a very appreciative fan of Joel Michaud's artistry. I think he is truly world-class, and the level of detail and refined, modern design ideas is just over the top!
A hearty round of applause to both you and Joel for bringing this brilliant project into being! I will be following this thread with rapt attention.
Best of good fortune with everything!
Steve

Brendan688 02-03-2015 02:45 PM

Memphis Build Thread - Michaud OM-R Lucky Strike/&quot;The Tree&quot;
 
Looks fantastic Marcus, I like the rosette a lot. The bridge design looks different than what I have seen him do. I think it looks great. Very happy for you.

Burton LeGeyt 02-03-2015 04:43 PM

Dang! That is some nice mahogany.

TomB'sox 02-03-2015 05:55 PM

It looks 3 dimensional in that photo, unbelievable...

Marcus Wong 02-03-2015 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBWW (Post 4341259)
I hear he might be doing one with a Moon Spruce top too. Someone I know already has some Tree guitars with Lucky Strike Redwood. :-). Going to be fun watching your build.

Hey Jay, the one with the Moon Spruce top is probably mine, but I changed at the last minute to a Lucky Strike top. It made more sense to pair "The Tree" with Lucky Strike haha Are you speaking about yourself? :P

It is going to be fun posting it! :D

Marcus Wong 02-03-2015 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theEdwinson (Post 4341310)
WOW! Marcus, this is no doubt going to be one of the most extraordinary guitars any of us will ever see! That "Tree" mahogany is spectacular! Legendary!
I've become a very appreciative fan of Joel Michaud's artistry. I think he is truly world-class, and the level of detail and refined, modern design ideas is just over the top!
A hearty round of applause to both you and Joel for bringing this brilliant project into being! I will be following this thread with rapt attention.
Best of good fortune with everything!
Steve

Hey Steve! I'm pretty sure the same goes for your Blackwood Rose Project. I showed the thread to Joel and I'm pretty sure his jaw hit the floor. I know mine did ;)

Thanks for the kind words Steve! I am honoured to have Joel build this for me and I couldn't imagine myself being happier with anyone else for this build :) He exceeds my every expectation and I look forward to what he has in store for the rest of this build.

Marcus Wong 02-03-2015 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brendan688 (Post 4341462)
Looks fantastic Marcus, I like the rosette a lot. The bridge design looks different than what I have seen him do. I think it looks great. Very happy for you.

Hey Brendan, the rosette design is still unfinished but it will be somewhere along those lines :) Yes, it is an asymmetrical take of his usual bridge due to the Fanned Fret, I think it looks great too! Thanks Brendan, looking forward to when you start posting some more of your photos.

Brendan688 02-03-2015 07:27 PM

Memphis Build Thread - Michaud OM-R Lucky Strike/&quot;The Tree&quot;
 
Have you asked Joel if you can have those drawings when he is done? I'd love to get them and frame them for my guitar room.

Marcus Wong 02-03-2015 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burton LeGeyt (Post 4341626)
Dang! That is some nice mahogany.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomB'sox (Post 4341722)
It looks 3 dimensional in that photo, unbelievable...

And if I'm not mistaken, it is actually quarter sawn! Joel actually has another "Lucky Tree" build starting next month and I'm personally jealous of that other set of "The Tree". I'll post some pictures of that if no one else does :)

Marcus Wong 02-03-2015 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brendan688 (Post 4341816)
Have you asked Joel if you can have those drawings when he is done? I'd love to get them and frame them for my guitar room.

Brendan, that is a SPLENDID idea!! I shall definitely request for it though I'm not sure how he will be able to ship it. I'm sure we could figure something out :)


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