I love working with Mike on this project. It's a creative collaboration, with Mike adding his design ideas to the mix, and I'm glad to say, we agree 100% on all the particulars. As Mike said, we've become good friends, starting here on the AGF, and now reaching well beyond the whole guitar thing.Even though we have yet to meet in person, I consider Mike to be a brother in my inner circle.
The guitar we are building together is an Eclipse OM model, which, since its inception in 2016, has become by far my most popular design. Mike and I co-designed a new style Venetian cutaway for it, which I think works great with the modern shape of this OM.
Mike asked me to make mini-bevels (arm and rib), which are much slimmer than my standard bevel treatment, but still very functional. I like this new design so much, I think I'll standardize on it from now on. Mike also asked me to trim the bevels in black Ebony, instead of the marbled black and tan Ebony I first suggested. Today, I'll finish the bevels, and so far they look great- clean and elegant. So we'll have a built box this afternoon.
I'm very pleased to report that the box has that amazingly responsive vibe you always hope for when you tap on it. Sinker Redwood and Macassar Ebony are a great combo, and this guitar already has the markers for a vibrant, colorful tone.
I will organize my photos after I cross this mid-point line today, and post some of them here.
Thanks to everyone for coming along for the ride! As always, I appreciate all the kind comments, which I will try very hard to live up to! And thanks, Mike, for taking the Captain's chair on this thread. That means I can get more actual lutherie accomplished!
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