Mayes "Black & White" Eureka Grand Concert Build - Page 2

JohnM · #16 11-07-2010, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirkham13

The bridge looks far superior in the ivory- very nice- maybe a tip of the hat to Dana Bourgeois as well, though I'm sure he copied his predecessors too-

Thanks. I never got to help build a bourgeois with an ivory bridge that I remember, although I've seen them. Of course Martin has been doing it/done it, decades ago.

Of course a ton of building is a credit to Dana's style. Not so much these new models, but for sure my standard ones.

Cornerstone Guitars · #17 11-07-2010, 10:34 AM

John,
What cad program fid you use? Is it Rhino?
Did you just get a CNC router?

Anyway, love the new bridge!

JohnM · #18 11-07-2010, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornerstone Guitars

John,
What cad program fid you use? Is it Rhino?
Did you just get a CNC router?

Anyway, love the new bridge!

Yup it's Rhino.

And no I don't own my own CNC.... yet. Maybe next year I'll get a small one for these procedures, but for now I'm still subbing it out.

SuperB23 · #19 11-07-2010, 10:54 AM

Very cool stuff John!! The new bridge design has classy look too it. I look forward to following this thread!

RogerC · #20 11-07-2010, 02:48 PM

Outstanding stuff, John. Are you gonna have the prototype at the gathering this weekend?

JohnM · #21 11-07-2010, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RogerC

Outstanding stuff, John. Are you gonna have the prototype at the gathering this weekend?

That guitar was sold very quickly after I finished it.

Martin_Nut · #22 11-08-2010, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnM

That guitar was sold very quickly after I finished it.

John,

Good to hear that your Eureka! prototype was snapped up so quickly. That's a great way to launch a new model ... and share the process along the way. This first "production" model - though a very special piece in terms of materials and the new ivory bridge design, looks to be the start of a nice direction in your building. Keep up the good work!

John H.

cpabolting · #23 11-08-2010, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmagill

Hi John,

I'll enjoy watching this develop. I was going for a similar 'black & white' theme in my recent Circa 00.

My decision to change from mahogany to flamed maple for the neck to integrate all the elements of the 'black & white' motif came late in the build process, and now it's one of my favorite features of the guitar.

Unless you were planning on a dark-stained neck, you might consider something similar for this project; the maple neck might really set off the blackwood beautifully, and mimic the lateral grain visible in the ivory bridge.

Best regards.

That is very cool!

TaoMaas · #24 11-08-2010, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnM

I'm one who tends to say, "Change the headstock as much as you want, but leave the bridge alone!" It just seems like so many bridge designs offer nothing over the old traditional style. But, dude...that bridge rocks! Traditional with a touch of flair! Very nice!

Steve Kinnaird · #25 11-08-2010, 11:26 AM

John, let me pile on bro--love that bridge!
Elegant.

Steve

JohnM · #26 11-08-2010, 12:44 PM

Thanks for the nice compliments everyone. I am very happy with the way the bridge came out as well. It's nice to hear that some people feel the same. I got some very nice comments from some of the big names in the industry as well who have seen my design.

Here are a couple shots of the fretboard after milling.

I love African Blackwood for these. It gives the look of ebony many love, but just a bit more character, yet is very durable, and more resonant. While I don't think the fretboard has a big play in the end sound of the guitar I think the bridge does so African blackwood is my standard bridge material for my Eureka models.

Rollie · #27 11-08-2010, 03:18 PM

Nice work John.. your new model looks bad to the bone !! In a good way

mercy · #28 11-08-2010, 05:15 PM

I think the bridge looks like it has more material than a standard bridge. That being the case it may be heavier and it is my opinion that less weight is better.

JohnM · #29 11-08-2010, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mercy

I think the bridge looks like it has more material than a standard bridge. That being the case it may be heavier and it is my opinion that less weight is better.

Thanks for the comment. Here you can see though that they are indeed very close tot he same weight, and actually the new design, with this piece of wood, is a bit lighter. I count that just a wood difference, but they were designed with weight in mind as well as different coupling considerations. I, for sure, didn't design it just to look cool.

Rod True · #30 11-08-2010, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnM

I, for sure, didn't design it just to look cool.

"Just" being the operative word

It looks very cool John, and we who know, know you are a stickler about the weight of the bridge, stiffness of your tops and braces as well as heck about 100 other fine point details.

This is going to be one fine, FINE instrument for sure.