Elvis has entered the building

martint · #1 08-12-2022, 08:10 PM

At last I can share the build that I completed for the Elvis Movie. This is a replica of the Gibson Super 400 that belonged to Scotty Moore and featured in the 68 comeback special. There was a really tight deadline of 3 weeks to build, spray, make metal parts etc whilst still running my guitar making school and my design business (lot to be said for being an old ADHD kid).

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Al Mojo · #2 08-12-2022, 08:41 PM

Wow! Looks like you nailed it. Really nice work!

You ever use Coachwood or Turpentine wood in guitar building? Was just listening to "Tarkine" by Midnight Oil. Cheers!

The Growler · #3 08-12-2022, 09:37 PM

Wow. That is amazing. Well done!

Lucy_Strat · #4 08-13-2022, 07:45 AM

Wow Martin that's super inspirational work

thanks for taking the time to share the pics with us all.

Bluside · #5 08-13-2022, 07:52 AM

Just gorgeous. Well done. Thanks for sharing.

Glennwillow · #6 08-13-2022, 08:52 AM

Wow, beautiful work on a great looking guitar!

- Glenn

DanR · #7 08-13-2022, 09:55 AM

Great looking guitar. What is that mechanism at the nut?

rockabilly69 · #8 08-13-2022, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martint

At last I can share the build that I completed for the Elvis Movie. This is a replica of the Gibson Super 400 that belonged to Scotty Moore and featured in the 68 comeback special. There was a really tight deadline of 3 weeks to build, spray, make metal parts etc whilst still running my guitar making school and my design business (lot to be said for being an old ADHD kid).
[

Looks great, and I loved that you nailed even the small things like pickguard and the cupid bow. So how does it sound? Did you nail the old Gibson tone?

JKA · #9 08-13-2022, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanR

Great looking guitar. What is that mechanism at the nut?

That's called a Van Epps string dampener. It basically does exactly what it says.

JKA · #10 08-13-2022, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martint

At last I can share the build that I completed for the Elvis Movie. This is a replica of the Gibson Super 400 that belonged to Scotty Moore and featured in the 68 comeback special. There was a really tight deadline of 3 weeks to build, spray, make metal parts etc whilst still running my guitar making school and my design business (lot to be said for being an old ADHD kid).

[

Martin, the guitar looks gorgeous. I'd be interested to know what happens to the guitar now?

SpruceTop · #11 08-13-2022, 01:01 PM

Elvis & Scotty Would Love It, Martin--Great Work!

Tahitijack · #12 08-13-2022, 01:16 PM

Did it have to be good looking and playable?

I loved the movie and one of the things I tell folks is that there was so much attention to detail. Thanks for sharing and yes, that is a beautiful guitar.

martint · #13 08-13-2022, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al Mojo

You ever use Coachwood or Turpentine wood in guitar building? Was just listening to "Tarkine" by Midnight Oil. Cheers!

Coachwood, yes for necks etc but Turpentine isn't really well suited for guitars unfortunately. However there are many Australian timbers that are fantastic tonewoods.

martint · #14 08-13-2022, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockabilly69

Looks great, and I loved that you nailed even the small things like pickguard and the cupid bow. So how does it sound? Did you nail the old Gibson tone?

Thanks, it sounds great. They even used in for the post production sound recording in the movie!

martint · #15 08-13-2022, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JKA

Martin, the guitar looks gorgeous. I'd be interested to know what happens to the guitar now?

Thanks, I built the guitar and then hired to Warner Bros so that I would get the guitar back after the movie production. It now hangs in my workshop (and gets played a bit!)