#4 Malaysian blackwood/englemann dread

[ZekeM]

Ok so mike pine wanted a build thread so Ill try to do one on this dread im building for a friend. It will be my fourth build, and my first commission. This guitar is actually for the son of my friend but seeing that he is only 2 yrs old, his dad gets to enjoy it for a few years.

He picked out my best set of Malaysian Blackwood for the back and sides. Its super nice with some sapwood and a nice subtle curl that will really pop under finish.


Anyhow here are some pics of the progress thus far

Curly narra rosette with wbwb purfs inside and out. I really love the figure in this narra and i think i may incorporate it into the endgraft as well.


and installed


sides bent and end blocks installed


little bit of kerfing in


Love this wood! Just look at the end of the guitar


and the curly sides


Ill try to keep this updated with pics as i progress. thanks for lookin

[CoolerKing]

That MB looks like the love child of a ziricote mommy and African blackwood daddy. Nice!

[Joel Stehr]

STUNNING Malaysian blackwood! Keep the pics coming!!

Joel

[mikealpine]

Aw c'mon...who would want a Malaysian Blackwood guitar? And a cutaway dread? Nobody likes cutaway dreads!!!

Of course I happen to love my Malaysian Blackwood cutaway dread, but then I'm considered odd, and that's by odd people.

LOVE that set of MB, Zeke. Thanks for posting this up and I going to enjoy seeing this come together. You can already tell that under finish, that is going to look stellar!!

[cigarfan]

Gorgeous set of blackwood. And that rosette is special as well. Looking forward to following along.

[ZekeM]

Matthew you were close but actually zircote was the father and blackwood the mother

It really is a special set of wood. I managed to get that one and this one


There is another builder currently trying to trade me some wood for the one set I have left. I know he would make it into a fantastic guitar but man it will be hard to let it go.

Thank you all for the compliments so far and ill keep the pics coming. Thanks

[ZekeM]

How about a little bit of top bracing



I know nobody cares to look at bracing, but im proud of it! Its not as beautiful and cool looking as some but its the best ive done yet. And by far the lightest braced guitar ive done. Im expecting this thing to really be responsive. The top sounds amazing when tapped and Im very much anticipating the first strum.

I should have some more entertaining pictures next time. Thanks for lookin

[haolebrownie]

Originally Posted by ZekeM

I know nobody cares to look at bracing, but im proud of it!

That's not true. I know of at least one person that likes to look at bracing. Looking forward to following the build and seeing (hearing?) how it turns out.

[mikealpine]

Zeke, the second set is killer too! I think those are as nice or nicer than the set on my new Stehr!! It is a toss-up between Mac Ebony and Malaysian Blackwood as to my favorite sounding back wood. I've yet to play Black Walnut, though...

Anyway, it looks like you're moving along really nicely. Fun to watch!!

[ZekeM]

Thanks for the compliments mike. Your favorite sounding woods are also some of the best looking ones I've never played a walnut guitar either but I hear very good things about it. Aren't you scheduled for an Ensor? Possibly a walnut Ensor!?!? Haha

And I know there is at least one other person who likes to look at bracing....... Maybe?

Ive made more progress but the pictures are kinda boring in process stuff. If ya wanna see that I can put em up. If not I'll have some good progress ones this weekend

[mikealpine]

Nope...a Wenge Ensor, Port Oxford Cedar top. But I did send an e-mail asking the difference in tone and cost between the two woods.

Keep the pictures coming!