The Arum--A New Wilborn Guitar Model Build!!! Video added!

[TomB'sox]

Yes, that is beautiful already! Trying to imagine the soundhole/port structure when I look at it too. Are you having an elevated fret board?

[Godfather]

My God....looks great already. It is so much fun following Ben's builds. His attention to detail and the speed at which he works is incredible.

Thanks for sharing and keep the photo journal coming...please.

[Nemoman]

Originally Posted by Godfather

My God....looks great already. It is so much fun following Ben's builds. His attention to detail and the speed at which he works is incredible.

Thanks for sharing and keep the photo journal coming...please.

Hey Godfather--Ben's builds are definitely fun. And Speedy! And no worries, as long as Ben keeps feeding me the pictures, I'll keep posting away with the photos. Thanks for coming along on the ride!

[Nemoman]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Yes, that is beautiful already! Trying to imagine the soundhole/port structure when I look at it too. Are you having an elevated fret board?

Hey Tom--I'm having all the features that went into the original Nautilus prototype as many of them Ben considers integral to the performance of this new model. Many of which I believe you had a hand in pushing him to implement--so thank you!

It occurs to me that I haven't really given all the specs on this new Arum. I'll try to list as many of them as I remember...

Cocobolo back and sides
Tunnel 14 Redwood top (radially-braced)
Combined soundhole/soundport utilizing carbon fiber support rod
Elevated ebony fretboard
1-13/16" nut (black phenolic resin--going for the stealth mode)
2-1/4" string spacing at saddle (black phenolic resin--stealth mode, remember?)
14-frets to body
Cocobolo inlay at 12th fret
Arm and rib bevels
Laminated sides (coco/maple/coco)
Multi-scale fretboard (25.4"/24.9") Perpendicular fret at 14th
Evo gold fretwire
Schertler tuners (ghost black with brass gear and black buttons)
Brass side dots
Ebony bindings
Bookmatched cocobolo head plate
Ebony backplate
Possibly a K&K mini P/U (cause I don't we could get it in later!)

That's what I remember thus far--hopefully Ben will chime in if I've missed anything...

[Nemoman]

Wow--Tunnel 14 redwood in all its amazing silkiness and glory!!!





Can't wait to see this top under finish!

[Nemoman]

Some more amazing fun stuff from Ben just hit my inbox!

Gluing on the bridgeplate...



The backstrip ready for installation...



And finally, the cocobolo back after backstrip installation, clean-up, and moistening to show that glorious color!!!







Getting spoiled by all of these wonderful pictures--thanks, Ben!!!

Thanks for checking it out!

[TomB'sox]

Wow, those dark ink lines kind of give that a Cocobolo meets Ziricote look. Cococote!

[WilbornGuitars]

There are sure a lot of nice things being said about me here, which I am enjoying, but probably don't deserve. I'm really just a semi-grumpy middle aged dude who makes guitars. But, I have the good fortune of doing what I love for a living and having an amazing life with a great family, so I manage to seem pretty happy most of the time. I have no complaints. I would never have guessed, when I was 25 or so, that I would manage to pull it together....

I've been making guitars for a living for 10 years, as of last month. Like so many others, I started out making Martin-like guitars, and did so happily for a few years. But then I started getting the Design Itch, and wanted to make something of my own. I mean, there are these guys like Bruce Sexauer, John Slobod, Laurent Brondel, etc. who are making Martin-like guitars with such incredible excellence that I don't even want to try to compete. ( I'm not saying that's all they do, but you know what I mean: Really truly great makers ) So I designed my own suite of instruments- 6 of them, in various sizes, but sharing a similar design. These are my current "normal" guitars. I've been refining their details for several years, and I'm really happy with them, but there is more, I feel, to be explored. I've been thinking about radial bracing for a long time, but a couple years ago, when Bruce Sexauer showed me how to do a multi scale instrument, I began to really see an application for it. X-bracing does not naturally suit itself to multi scale, but the radial bracing makes any multi scale ratio a breeze. It also sounds like everything that you like about steel strings, classical guitars and cellos, all wrapped up in one instrument. So these guitars, The Nautilus and The Arum, are the product of a pretty focused desire and intent. I like to think that all of their multiple features contribute to something that is new, unusual, exciting, and yet somehow familiar at the same time. It's not just a grab-bag of contemporary guitar features, but a manifesto on how a guitar should sound and feel. That's why I'm so excited about these instruments- for me they represent my first real and singular contribution to the world of luthiery. There is a whole new universe to explore here!

So thank you, everyone, for sharing my excitement! It's an absolute joy to be working on this guitar and to have you all along for the ride.

[Nemoman]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Wow, those dark ink lines kind of give that a Cocobolo meets Ziricote look. Cococote!

They do kind of give it that landscape effect!

And look at you coming up with all these new words--first it's "Fallter", and now "Cococote"!

Thanks for following along, Tom!

[Nemoman]

More updates--this time it's all about the carbon fiber rod.

In Ben's own words...

"In order to install the carbon rod that supports the neck block, it must be very accurately drilled for, and cut to just the right length. I use a thermoset plastic and steel guide bushings to determine the exact angle to drill my holes. Then two lengths of all thread with a high-nut to determine the exact length of carbon fiber rod. Then I shape the side socket piece to make it handsome and aerodynamic for better high speed performance. Wouldn’t you know it, a worm bored a hole exactly on the middle of this piece! ( the tiny black dot) Oh well, he was there first. I’ll glue in the assembly with T-88 high strength epoxy."

And yes, the monkey is still still hanging out watching over this build...




















Pretty cool how much care is taken so that even all of the hidden elements on the inside of the guitar look so well-crafted and sculptural! Just one more awesome aspect of the quality that goes into a custom-built luthier guitar...

Much more to come!

[Nemoman]

So I woke up this morning to find these latest pics from Ben in my inbox.

The top, back, and sides are now complete and ready to be glued together next week!

A special surprise was to discover that Ben used Tunnel 14 redwood for the back braces--holy moley, they really look awesome with the cocobolo back and sides.

This Arum is going to be a visual delight, both inside and out!

And the top is now finished with its sporty radial bracing pattern.

What a great way to head into the weekend--can't wait to see what Ben has in store for next week!
















Have a great weekend y'all and as always, thanks for watching!

[colins]

This guitar is amazing!

[doodahdoug]

This build is really captivating Kevin. I love the beautiful set of cocobolo and Tunnel 14 RW you and Ben selected.

The new design for this model really kicks things up a notch. I look forward to following the progress of this guitar.

[GeoffStGermaine]

Wow - stellar quality! The design of the soundhole is very nice. The attention to detail is outstanding. The installation of the carbon fibre strut is extremely well thought out. Can't wait to see more!

[TomB'sox]

Looks fantastic for sure. I see on the bracing that the three longer braces both above and below the bridgeplate are cut to come up to the plate and then lap over the top for helping with the transfer of energy from the bridge throughout the top, while the smaller braces on the ends of the bridgeplate only sit against it. Wonder if there is a reason for that (that is a funny question, because knowing Ben, there is a reason for everything!)?