Martin F-2 Conversion - Page 4

bho · #46 07-06-2015, 11:10 PM

Howard, how's the build coming?

Also, looking forward to meeting you at the FJ Summit.

Howard Klepper · #47 07-07-2015, 02:30 AM

Thanks for asking. It languished for a few months while I took care of other projects. But the final finish coats were sprayed about 2 weeks ago, so I expect it to be done in a couple of weeks. I gave it Style 42 purfling and a mid-30's style dark sunburst.

I will post photos as soon as it's done.

Thanks again! Please introduce yourself at the Fretboard Summit.

Howard Klepper · #48 07-25-2015, 06:06 PM

The finish is rubbed out. The guitar should be done in the next week.

CoolerKing · #49 07-25-2015, 06:30 PM

Wow! It's so buffed out I can see the power cord on the shelf above

. I really like the burst.

iim7V7IM7 · #50 07-25-2015, 06:34 PM

Lovely burst Howard...

Kudos

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howard Klepper

The finish is rubbed out. The guitar should be done in the next week.

justonwo · #51 07-27-2015, 08:15 PM

That burst is perfect. Wow.

Howard Klepper · #52 08-03-2015, 12:52 PM

All done except for some tweaking of the action. It's been strung for a day and has about zero playing time. The sound is very strong and balanced. The high back arch gives these a different sound from what is typical for Martin--the bass thumps less, but rings and sustains more. The sound of a new or retopped guitar changes a lot in the first couple of days. More than anything, the bass opens up and gets deeper, which I can already hear it doing.

I gave it an OM style pickguard made from epoxy bar top coating and dye.

It's hard to get photos in my shop without a lot of reflection from the windows, but here are a few.

usb_chord · #53 08-03-2015, 01:10 PM

WOW!!!! GORGEOUS burst!!!

CoolerKing · #54 08-03-2015, 01:47 PM

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing.

downtime · #55 08-03-2015, 01:57 PM

This has been a great thread to follow, I love the finished product.

The burst and appointments are perfect for a vintage Martin. Howard, this one has officially achieved dream guitar status.

tadol · #56 08-03-2015, 04:49 PM

That really is looking great!

Mad Rose · #57 08-04-2015, 11:15 AM

Superb conversion Howard & that SB finish is absolutely killer looking. It really gives the guitar a vintage vibe...well done!

JoeCharter · #58 08-04-2015, 11:19 AM

It looks beautiful. I would be very proud to own such a guitar.

Howard Klepper · #59 08-04-2015, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeCharter

It looks beautiful. I would be very proud to own such a guitar.

It can be arranged.

justonwo · #60 12-31-2015, 04:38 PM

I had a chance to play this guitar yesterday at Schoenberg, though with 2 kids nipping at my heels it was less time than I had hoped for. Not surprisingly, the tone is sublime. It has a rich, prominent bass with wonderful touch sensitivity and expressiveness. It's slightly darker than a typical "new" guitar and to my ear sounded much more like a real vintage Martin than most new guitars I have played that try to achieve that sound.

The setup and playability are absolutely perfect. The burst top and shell purfling are DROP DEAD GORGEOUS. It's one of the nicest looking guitars I've ever seen. It's a real masterpiece, which seems par for the course for the Kleppers I have played. This guitar will make some vintage tone fiend very, very happy.