Dion 2020 NAMM/Boutique Guitar Showcase guitars

[Dion James]

Originally Posted by Guitars44me

Beautiful Maple! Woohoo



I like the slim backstrip too. Looking FINE



Paul

Thanks! Yeah the maple I’ve been getting from Bachman tonewoods is out of this world.

[Dion James]

Another sunny day, another few photos.

These two maple beauties are coming together nicely. Bracing is done on both, the Birdseye is boxed as of today. With any luck I’ll have the flamed maple boxed tomorrow, setting me on track to bind through the end of the week.

Cedar interior cap on the structured sides of the Birdseye, mahogany block, bound soundport.



Another shot of the interior sides.



Using go-sticks to glue the soundboard on.



Sounboard on.

[Stevied63]

Nice guitar, and nice photo of the soundboard - really like the way the light highlights the bracing.

[Dion James]

Originally Posted by Stevied63

Nice guitar, and nice photo of the soundboard - really like the way the light highlights the bracing.

Thanks! This window is a constant source of photographic inspiration.

[AZ Cardinal]

Jesus.. Whats up with that 5mm strip on the back?


You've changed man....

[Dion James]

Originally Posted by AZ Cardinal

Jesus.. Whats up with that 5mm strip on the back?





You've changed man....

Haha.... I’m out of control, next thing you know I’m going to inlay something!

[Dion James]

Mahogany binding on this one, a departure from my usual black binding. As with all the elements of my guitars I’m taking care to get the details just right. Colour coded so I don’t lose track of which piece goes where.

[Dion James]

Here are a few more photos of the maple duo for NAMM. These are all of the Birdseye, with any luck I’ll have the flamed maple bound tomorrow. I’m pressing hard to get these off for finish in the next few days.

[Dion James]

Well, I ended up being so busy trying to get these two done in time for NAMM I didn’t end up taking any photos for the forum. I fret tomorrow then I’ll string them up, and just in time!

Here’s a quick shot of the hand rubbed epoxy finish now standard in my necks.

I’ll try to get some finished photos before I fly out for California.

[David Wren]

Looks great Dion ... have a great NAMM!

[Dion James]

Originally Posted by David Wren

Looks great Dion ... have a great NAMM!

Thanks Dave. Looking forward to the show, the beach, and the citrus trees!

[Dion James]

[virob]

Originally Posted by Dion James

Here’s a quick shot of the hand rubbed epoxy finish now standard in my necks.

I’ll try to get some finished photos before I fly out for California.

Can you give us a little more info about the epoxy finish? Looks very nice and durable, can the whole guitar be finished with that technique for a less glossy look?
Always enjoy following your work.

[Dion James]

Originally Posted by virob

Can you give us a little more info about the epoxy finish? Looks very nice and durable, can the whole guitar be finished with that technique for a less glossy look?

Always enjoy following your work.

Thanks for following along!

The epoxy finish I’ve been using on my necks off and in for the last couple years has now become my standard. It feels so nice, thin and smooth.

I’m using a product called ecopoxy, it’s really gentle stuff, doesn’t smell. I sand the neck to 320, wipe it with a damp rag to raise the grain, then sand again with 320. This insureds that the finish will not become textured in the future caused by the grain swelling.

I wipe a thin coat of epoxy on, being careful on the fingerboard not to fill the slots. I then wipe as much of it off as possible using an old cotton sheet which is lint free. I wipe and wipe, by the end lightly burnishing the epoxy with a little speed and pressure.

The result is really nice, and fun transformation to be a part of.

I’d love to finish an entire guitar this way! It’d be the perfect in between of the two finishes I currently offer. Rich looking, but not glossy. More durable than French polished shellac, Slightly less durable than the u.v polyester.

[Dion James]

I did it, with one day to spare! My NAMM guitars are ready to go.

I didn’t end up with the time to get any good photos. I’ll post a couple that I have and maybe get a few tomorrow.

Any forum folks planning on being at NAMM?