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  #1  
Old 11-10-2023, 02:17 PM
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Default Madrona Guitars Workshop Updates

Hello,
I’m setting up this topic to share some of what I build with everyone. I will try to keep it updated with what is going on in my shop. This is something I have really enjoyed over the years, all the amazing pictures everyone shares.

I currently have a couple ukuleles in the spray booth. I’m pretty excited about the multi color top on this one. I wish I had a guitar sized set of this wood!




I have two guitars going currently the first is a Koa version of my OM sized Vendovi. And I might be crazy, but I will share the story later behind a figured Purpleheart Sucia GA.

Here is the start of the Vendovi. I build with laminated sides it’s amazing the strength it adds to the structure. I use a cross grain maple veneer for the middle layer. These sides can take a hit.




My shop helper Indi was ready to go outside.



Here is the start of the Sucia. This is the craziest Purpleheart I’ve ever seen it doesn’t loose it’s color when sanded and has a chatoyance similar to Koa. You can see the difference to the regular Purpleheart I’m using for the inner layer of the laminated sides.










As I mentioned in my previous post these will be the guitars I’m planning on bringing to La Conner in the spring.

Every day is a good day in the shop!
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Old 11-12-2023, 12:59 AM
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Looking forward to more pics of that purpleheart. Amazing!
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Old 11-13-2023, 05:05 PM
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Looking forward to more pics of that purpleheart. Amazing!

Thanks, I kind of thought I might be crazy building a purple guitar. (And maybe I am[emoji3]) I’m having fun with this one though. Excited to get to working on the back soon.




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Old 11-13-2023, 06:53 PM
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Wowzers--that is some crazy purpleheart!

This will be a fun one to watch--thanks for sharing it.
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Old 11-14-2023, 09:54 AM
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Working on linings for arm bevels today, and strangely enough I did have a banana with my coffee this morning.


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Old 11-15-2023, 05:35 PM
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Finished the linings today on both my Koa Vendovi and Purpleheart Sucia. There is a real art and beauty to the curves and flow of a guitar.






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Old 11-17-2023, 10:04 PM
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Had some nice lightning coming through the windows as I finished up this morning. Here is the start of jointing and gluing up the panels. I have this nice Engelmann set for the Purpleheart Sucia. It has a nice tap tone that I think will suit this guitar well. It’s creamy light color should balance the purple in the back and sides too.





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Old 11-18-2023, 10:30 AM
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I wasn’t sure if I should go with a Koa top or not so I got Indi’s opinion. I think she approved.



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Old 11-19-2023, 04:20 PM
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A little rosette work today. Only purple sandpaper will do for the this one.


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Old 11-20-2023, 12:22 AM
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I'm looking forward to seeing the purpleheart guitar when it's finished. It should look amazing.
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Old 11-20-2023, 11:01 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by colins View Post
I'm looking forward to seeing the purpleheart guitar when it's finished. It should look amazing.

Thanks Colins! I’ve always said Koa was my favorite wood to work with but this Purpleheart is really fun.

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Old 11-22-2023, 08:22 AM
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The rosette on my Purpleheart guitar is coming along nicely.




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Old 11-23-2023, 11:03 AM
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A little work on my Koa Vendovi. Koa is so dark as a tone wood I like to keep it simple with a little Paua abalone.



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Old 11-25-2023, 07:34 AM
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Default Madrona Guitars Workshop Updates

We had some great weather recently, and found some nice Madrona trees on our walk.




Starting to move on to bracing the tops. I love this stage.


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Old 11-29-2023, 03:51 PM
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Top bracing is coming along nicely. I like to take my time here, shaving each brace to a pre determined measurement. At this point leaving the x braces at their full height to preserve strength while removing mass to help free up the top.



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