Build Thread: Stehr African Blackwood/Sinker Auditorium

[hnuuhiwa]

Build started a little while ago...this will be #4 in my "Hula Girl" series of guitars that Joel is building for me. This time it'll be his Auditorium model, with African Blackwood back/sides and Sinker Redwood top.

Details include:

Florentine cut
Double sides (Claro inners)
Cutaway bevel
Arm bevel
Red purfling
Hula girl inlay
4-5/8" depth
13 fret
25.4 scale
Curly Claro Walnut bindings
Back strip (covering sapwood)
Sound port
African Blackwood fretboard, bridge
Walnut/cooked Maple/Walnut neck
Burl fret markers
Burl, Claro, Blackwood Headplate

Here's some initial pics....

Af/Blkwd joined backs.



Af/Blkwd bridge



Af/Blkwd fretboard



Neck blank



Bending the sides



Don't forget the Claro inners!



Sides in the mold, with cutaway



Attaching kerfing



Getting ready for bevels

[hnuuhiwa]

Gluing in the bevels



Working on the rosette





And here are a few of the headstock "concepts" we considered. We decided to go with a variation of the last one....,





The variation will extend the claro and burl down across the nut, on to the fretboard, following the radius of the curves started on the headstock. Red purfling is being used between the woods...should be interesting!

[Matt Mustapick]

That rim is a *really* beautiful shape.

[mcozma]

Hen,

This guitar is going to be gorgeous: the top, back and sides, the rosette, everything.
I can tell you're getting VIP treatment from Joel...
Congratulations!

[goodvibes]

Looking fine!

[Acoustom]

Beautiful Hen!! I can't wait to see the progress. Joel's guitars always have such an artistic look to them and yours is going to be one of the more artistic. Wait til you hear it! I am blown away with mine.

[Lonerstoner]

Does he have a long waiting list?

[hnuuhiwa]

Originally Posted by Matt Mustapick

That rim is a *really* beautiful shape.

Thanks Matt, that means a lot coming from an accomplished luthier such as yourself.

Originally Posted by mcozma

Hen,

This guitar is going to be gorgeous: the top, back and sides, the rosette, everything.
I can tell you're getting VIP treatment from Joel...
Congratulations!

Thanks Michael!

Originally Posted by goodvibes

Looking fine!

Thanks Rick!

Originally Posted by A027298

Beautiful Hen!! I can't wait to see the progress. Joel's guitars always have such an artistic look to them and yours is going to be one of the more artistic. Wait til you hear it! I am blown away with mine.

No doubt...Joel does build nice looking and sounding guitars, so no surprise that you're blown away with yours. This is gonna be another "dark" guitar, similar to my Baby Mac. But I'll be looking forward to hearing how this baby plays when its done

Originally Posted by Lonerstoner

Does he have a long waiting list?

I think he's running a waitlist between 18 - 24 months.

[K III]

Great choice, Hen, I love the Hulas :-)

ABW / Sinker is such a lovely combo.

[SuperB23]

Great looking guitar! I can tell you first hand you are going to love that African Blackwood!

[hnuuhiwa]

Go-Bar gluing the braces - Back!



And the Top!



Sound Port...



Back Strip...



Close-up

[mcozma]

NICE! Lovely soundport

Keep 'em coming, Hen and tell Joel no fly fishing for him until the guitar is ready to go to Joe, and all pics are sent and published here, as per the process

[K III]

Great aesthetics. Soundport and partial backstrip are real stunners. Keep 'em coming, Hen.

[gregg]

Beautiful...I really appreciate Joel's sense of artistry.

Greg

[jeastman]

Amazing guitar, Hen. That rosette is going to look (well already does) amazing on the completed instrument. Can I ask what woods are in your neck?