Claro walnut, Italian spruce bonus guitar

Dion James · #1 02-02-2020, 11:01 PM

Hello forum folks,

I started this guitar last summer but got side tracked with client builds, my newborn and my garden. I’ve decided to dust it off and slip it in along side another build nearly ready for finish.

A beautiful set of Claro walnut with and an Italian spruce soundboard. I’ll likely ebonize the neck on this one and I’m considering a shade top.

Here are a few photos. More coming next week.

colins · #2 02-03-2020, 02:42 AM

Nice wood combination; just like my first custom build.

Looking forward to more photos!

Michael Watts · #3 02-03-2020, 03:24 AM

Looking good there Dion!

Dion James · #4 02-03-2020, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colins

Nice wood combination; just like my first custom build.

Looking forward to more photos!

Do you mind me asking what your first custom build was?

Yeah I’m looking forward to seeing how this one comes together. It’s been years since I’ve built with walnut.

Thanks for following along!

colins · #5 02-04-2020, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dion James

Do you mind me asking what your first custom build was?

Yeah I’m looking forward to seeing how this one comes together. It’s been years since I’ve built with walnut.

Thanks for following along!

No worries. It's a Baranik CX that Mike built for me back in 2006. I would never have considered walnut until, in 2004, I tried another guitar that he'd built in walnut. Loved it, so I called him and he said he had more of that walnut available. Two years later I had my first custom guitar. Now it's fun following your build!

zeeway · #6 02-04-2020, 05:36 AM

Your work on that x bracing is beautiful. Looking forward to seeing pix of finished guitar.

CoolerKing · #7 02-04-2020, 07:15 AM

WOW! I thought my wife was OCPD but she ain't got nothin' on you! That is beautifully clean work.

Dion James · #8 02-04-2020, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Watts

Looking good there Dion!

Thank you Michael!

Deft Tungsman · #9 02-04-2020, 10:47 AM

Beautiful work, Dion!

I have a absolutely stunning guitar with that exact wood combination as well. It’s an Ed Claxton OM, and it is a seriously sweet instrument.

Looking forward to more pictures as the build progresses.

Dion James · #10 02-05-2020, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeeway

Your work on that x bracing is beautiful. Looking forward to seeing pix of finished guitar.

Thanks, and thanks for following along. I’ll look forward to our conversation through the build!

Dion James · #11 02-05-2020, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthewpartrick

WOW! I thought my wife was OCPD but she ain't got nothin' on you! That is beautifully clean work.

Thanks! It’s a funny thing, I really love to focus on the minutiae, I always have. The interesting thing about guitar building is that each time one gains the skills to realize cleanliness on one level of detail, another even smaller level reveals itself. I’m sure that’s the reason so many of us builders maintain such passion for the craft right through our careers.

I always tell folks, if my beginner self saw the instruments I build today, he’d think they were perfect. My current self sees the work as good and clean, but my mind is always circling in on the ever smaller parts.

Thanks for following along! This one is going to be fun.

Dion James · #12 02-05-2020, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deft Tungsman

Beautiful work, Dion!

I have a absolutely stunning guitar with that exact wood combination as well. It’s an Ed Claxton OM, and it is a seriously sweet instrument.

Looking forward to more pictures as the build progresses.

Thanks!

Ed makes a great guitar.

I’ll look forward to your comments as the build comes together!

Dustinfurlow · #13 02-05-2020, 12:49 PM

Look forward to following this! Italian Spruce and Walnut is such a great (yet rare) combo.

Dion James · #14 02-05-2020, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dustinfurlow

Look forward to following this! Italian Spruce and Walnut is such a great (yet rare) combo.

I’m excited, it’ll be the first time I’ve built with this combo!

Dion James · #15 02-05-2020, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colins

No worries. It's a Baranik CX that Mike built for me back in 2006. I would never have considered walnut until, in 2004, I tried another guitar that he'd built in walnut. Loved it, so I called him and he said he had more of that walnut available. Two years later I had my first custom guitar. Now it's fun following your build!

Mike builds wonderful guitars and I’m happy to count him among my guitar building friends. I bet that guitar is great!!