Michaud OM-R build thread

Lonzo · #1 01-05-2020, 07:55 AM

I was admittedly hesitant to start a thread... but this community here is so knowledgeable and sharing, enthusiastic, good mannered and I enjoy stopping by so much as well as learned a lot.... so, in short:

Time to start my 1st build thread!
I pulled the trigger and commissioned an OM-R with Joel Michaud through Marcus Wong at The Golden Era Guitar.
I was lucky to get one of the early dealer slots Marcus had purchased after he had his guitar built.
It seemed a long wait, but now that Joel informed me it really starts it feels unreal and is very exciting! ..we hope to get it done for the Holy grail in Berlin early May.
Joel and Marcus are cool and fun to work with! They care about what you want to achieve and based on your preferred style of playing give input and direction for you to decide... which is helpful if you're sort of a rookie to this game. After a lot of reading, listening, learning and consideration
I chose Joels OM-R as the body size. It will have a slight fan fret and rib and arm bevels.
Will post pics in next post via Tapatalk.

I already know I really like Hog and redwood, so I decided to go all in and went for The Tree Mahogany for back and sides with a Lucky strike redwood top.
The piece on top was chosen for its orange color and will be used for purflings in conjunction with jetblack Rocklite.
Thanks for stopping by and possibly following along, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
More to come !

Lonzo · #2 01-05-2020, 08:02 AM

Here the woods chosen

pandaroo · #3 01-05-2020, 08:59 AM

Congratulations, excited to follow this thread. You will be in good hands when it comes to Marcus. I have also ordered a Michaud through Marcus but it will be a while before mine starts.

Lonzo · #4 01-05-2020, 09:00 AM

The Tree set

Lonzo · #5 01-05-2020, 09:04 AM

...and the LS top, already joined and prepared for the rosette.
More on this later ;o)

gitarro · #6 01-05-2020, 09:07 AM

Looks like your michaud will be similar to Marcus's personal michaud in LS redwood and the tree mahogany also. All the best for your build!

Lonzo · #7 01-05-2020, 11:10 AM

Thank you Pandaroo! ..and you will be in good hands with both of the lads !

Quote:

Originally Posted by pandaroo

Congratulations, excited to follow this thread. You will be in good hands when it comes to Marcus. I have also ordered a Michaud through Marcus but it will be a while before mine starts.

Lonzo · #8 01-05-2020, 11:13 AM

Thanks gitarro.
Yes, you’re spot on.. according to Joel this is a sister set to Marcus’!
.. it is going to have a florentine cutaway though and other appointments, but basically they are very similar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gitarro

Looks like your michaud will be similar to Marcus's personal michaud in LS redwood and the tree mahogany also. All the best for your build!

Ukulele_Eddie · #9 01-05-2020, 11:36 AM

Congrats! Going to be an incredible instrument. I like your approach: swing for the fences on your first commission.

We used Lucky Strike redwood and The Tree in our Luthiers for a Cause project where six of the world's best custom uke builders each built a tenor uke from these storied woods. If anyone wants to learn more about these woods, there is some info on the Luthiers for a Cause website (www.luthiersforacause.org).

Look forward to following your build thread!

Lonzo · #10 01-05-2020, 02:03 PM

Thanks Ukelele Eddie !
This is my 2nd commission.. I had one before I knew the AGF.

JJI · #11 01-05-2020, 11:38 PM

Incredible. Joel is amazing. Marcus is great...Joel and Marcus together is a treat. Those two are a pair.

I have an LS topped guitar and you’ll be happy you chose it. Also, Marcus’ Lucky Tree is a remarkable instrument and what a road map for you to have before this all began!

grosskate · #12 01-06-2020, 02:29 AM

You're in good hands with both Marcus and Joel !

I shall have my Michaud delivered quite soon (first one with a rib bevel, so I guess a lot more to come apparently)

What Fan Fret Scales are you using ?

Lonzo · #13 01-06-2020, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJI

Incredible. Joel is amazing. Marcus is great...Joel and Marcus together is a treat. Those two are a pair.

I have an LS topped guitar and you’ll be happy you chose it. Also, Marcus’ Lucky Tree is a remarkable instrument and what a road map for you to have before this all began!

Thanks a lot Josh. It is fun to go through that whole process and to see it all come together.

Lonzo · #14 01-06-2020, 04:01 AM

...You're in good hands with both Marcus and Joel !
..What Fan Fret Scales are you using ?

Hi grosskate,
I was/am following your thread and as you see my rosette is inspired by yours and the special requirements of the inlaid material. ..not spilling the beans here yet as I still want to be sure it works out as planned.

I opted for a 25 to 25.5 “ fan with the center on the 7th fret.
As it is my first fan fret I wanted to be careful.
One might say it is to insignificant a difference.. but if so, nothing is lost

Congrats on your beautiful OM-R, have fun and enjoy!

Lonzo · #15 01-06-2020, 12:58 PM

Here we have what we chose to become the purfling for this guitar... it is going to be black orange black with Pernambuco providing the orange.
This motiv will also be used for the soundhole, backstripe, fretboard and headstock.
Joel bound the soundhole already the backstrip is laid on the back for illustration.. but and I am quite excited how it turns out!