Build thread for Zach Lefebvre's 20th guitar, the "Copper Dust Guitar"

[Zacharius]

Hey folks!!
This is my first builder's thread and it is going to be of my 20th guitar - It is available now but I will post pictures of the build as it went along. I had a lot of fun experimenting with copper on this one. Hope you all enjoy!
-Zach


All of my guitars are french polished - this one is indian rosewood back and sides, lutz soundboard, mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard and bridge.


Probably where I had the most fun on this guitar - this is an inlaid reconstituted turquoise maple leaf drifting down leaving a copper dust trail. I'll explain my process as I go through the build.


Spruce centre reinforcement strip after being profiled.


Back bracing being carved and sanded to shape.


Beautiful lutz spruce top with an ebony rosette (with copper details which you will see in later posts).


Stay tuned for more pictures as I go through this build!
Thanks for taking the time to look!
Cheers,
-Zach

[Nemoman]

That is a killer top! Looking forward to watching your first build thread...

[Zacharius]

Originally Posted by Nemoman

That is a killer top! Looking forward to watching your first build thread...

Thanks Nemoman!! Yes, this spruce... it's mouthwatering. And it sounds fantastic to boot!
Thanks for following along with my first build thread.


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[GeoffStGermaine]

Zach,
Nice to see your build thread here. I follow you on IG and I saw quite a few photos of Copper Dust, but I'm really interested to see them in large format on here. Thanks for posting!

[Zacharius]

Originally Posted by GeoffStGermaine

Zach,

Nice to see your build thread here. I follow you on IG and I saw quite a few photos of Copper Dust, but I'm really interested to see them in large format on here. Thanks for posting!

Oh nice! Well I look forward to sharing them with you again, Geoff!


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[downtime]

thanks for posting, looking forward to the rest of the build

[colins]

Wow, the silking on that top is something else! And I am looking forward to seeing the work with copper dust too; thanks for posting!

Col

[cigarfan]

Welcome Zach. Your build looks awesome so far. Your use of copper intrigues me. Looking forward to the rest of your build.

[Zacharius]

Thanks cigarfan, colins and downtime! Thanks for following the thread!

Here are a few more pictures:


Top bracing being glued then carved. There is something fascinating about a perfect wood shaving...



Just as I was about to close the box. Bye-bye beautiful innards!


Binding and purfling channels routed out and ready for binding and purfling.

[Zacharius]

So this is the second place I decided to incorporate copper into. This is the butt of the guitar and how I inlaid the copper was by first filling the pores of the ebony, then making holes with an awl where I wanted the copper. I then made copper filings (because I thought that actual dust would just float out with the superglue) then I filled all the little holes with the filings, drenched it in some superglue and sanded it sound to flush. When it gets sanded I sand through some of the filings which gives them a really nice shine.

I use this method a few times in this build - I have better pictures of the process when I was doing the headstock. I'll post those in the next few days. Cheers!
-Zach

[JSDenvir]

Very cool idea. I may be forced to steal it :-)

[TomB'sox]

I like it!!!

[Bill Kraus]

I was lucky enough to have my table close to Zacks at the Woodstock show, allowing me to see this stunning guitar(and play it) a few times . The finished product was stunning!. Congratulations on the great work and welcome to the forum Zack.

[Zacharius]

Haha feel free to play around with it for sure JSDenvir! The possibilities are endless! I'm already planning on incorporating it more heavily on one of my next builds.

Thanks TomB'sox!!

Bill!! Thanks man, it was great to meet you! Thanks for the compliments!!


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[JoeCharter]

Zach, you have good taste and build beautiful guitars. Very well done.