Stearn OM Build

StillStephen · #1 09-06-2012, 01:27 PM

Well after enjoying the new Stearn OM for about a week, I finally broke down and ordered my own! I'm having Jesse build the OM out of madagascar rosewood/adirondack spruce. Below are pictures of the back and top being glued up, cut out and the beginning of the bracing. I'm also working on a personal touch with Jesse that makes it unique to me (more about that later...). I'm really looking forward to my first custom guitar! I'll post more photos as I get them.

StillStephen · #2 09-07-2012, 03:07 PM

The build continues. Just got some more photos from Jesse...

StringMeUp · #3 09-07-2012, 04:04 PM

Congratulations, StillStephen!

I played one of Jesse's guitars a few months ago, and it was quite nice.

StillStephen · #4 09-07-2012, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StringMeUp

Congratulations, StillStephen!

I played one of Jesse's guitars a few months ago, and it was quite nice.

Thanks! I'm really looking forward to it. Did you play the parlor on the Road Trip? Since then Jesse has increased the radius on the back and top resulting in more volume and a nice amount of bass. He even did a 12-string parlor in this new style that is just amazing!

StringMeUp · #5 09-07-2012, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StillStephen

... Did you play the parlor on the Road Trip?

Yes, it was really nice.

StillStephen · #6 09-17-2012, 07:44 AM

Was out of town last week on business and came home to more photos from Jesse! The guitar is really coming along now - photos of the sides being glued together, the neck block being radius sanded, and the kerfing being glued on. Getting anxious now!!

Dru Edwards · #7 09-17-2012, 10:28 AM

Keep the pics coming, Stephen. Congrats on the new build! When will it be in your hands?

StillStephen · #8 09-17-2012, 12:13 PM

Hoping in a couple of weeks! The waiting gets tougher with each set of new photos! I've worked out the design for special fret markers that will put a personal touch on the guitar representing one of my other joys (more on that to come...) - can't wait to see how it works out.

StillStephen · #9 09-19-2012, 08:23 AM

More pictures: The back is glued on and the inside finished, and finally the top is glued on! Can't wait to see the final polished finish on those sides.

StillStephen · #10 09-21-2012, 07:40 AM

The tail piece and binding/purfling have been added (curly maple with a B/W/B pattern on top and back).

The scrapping/prep:

A couple of nice shots of the jigs used to ensure the tail piece fits perfectly!

And the finished piece:

The binding/purfling goes on:

StillStephen · #11 09-21-2012, 07:46 AM

The finished box. You can really see the accentuated radius of the top and back - something different that really seems to bring out the bass and volume on smaller bodied guitars.

Sandcastle Gtrs · #12 09-21-2012, 10:31 AM

Beautiful...would like to see bigger pictures!

StillStephen · #13 09-21-2012, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandcastle Gtrs

Beautiful...would like to see bigger pictures!

Thanks, really looking forward to the finished guitar. Not sure how to make them bigger on the AGF, but they are loaded on Flickr also: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86774704@N06/

ZekeM · #14 09-21-2012, 12:24 PM

Looking fantastic and coming along nicely. Im sure it will be beautiful once the finish is applied. It appears to have a deeper body than usual. Is this so that you can get a bigger sound out of it? More bass perhaps? Keep the updates coming.

StillStephen · #15 09-21-2012, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZekeM

:It appears to have a deeper body than usual. Is this so that you can get a bigger sound out of it? More bass perhaps?

Zeke, the body is deeper than most OMs - even with the radius of the top and back, it is still deeper at the tail end than my Breedlove American OM. It is also about a half inch wider at the lower bout. Yet even with these larger dimensions, I didn't really notice it as the radius seems to work similar to the wedge design, making it easier to reach over.

In the version I played (padauk/sitka) it definitely had a much stronger bass and seemed louder than any other OM I've played, including a deep body Collings. I know some of that comes from the accentuated radius, as I was able to compare one of Jesse's standard OMs to this new style (similar woods) and the difference was quite noticeable. I'm really looking forward to hearing this version with the rosewood and adirondack combination.