Official Luthiers Forum!

Here are some photos of #4...

- Koa Back and Sides were from last years swap meet. They were seconds from Martin. There was a crack in the pre-bent cutaway bend that I repaired.
- Top is bear claw sitka. It has a pitch pocket, but I'm trying to ignor it. I'm telling myself that it adds character...
- The mahogany neck is from Hanalei Moon. (I have recently carved a neck that I'll use on the next one.)
- Rosette is lacewood and abalone I got from Andy dePaule.
- Rosewood bridge (modified) and fingerboard from John Watkin
- Binding is tortoise.
- Finish is Z-poxy and Tru-Oil (I'd like to try another finish next time that is as easy to apply but is harder... any suggestions...)

I am quite pleased with the sound and action.

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

Sweet!
Who cares about a wee sap pocket in a piece like that!

Steve,

Beautiful work my friend........ bet she sounds as good as she looks.

Finish? I know there are many nay sayers here but I have had great luck with KTM 9 over System Three.

Joe

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Joe seems to like KTM-9, but for many this seems have fallen out of favor. I have seen many references to Emtech 6000. I read where it can be hand applied (brushed?) by adding 20% retarder. I hate to show my ignorance but, is the retarder a particular product or denatured alcohol?

Steve,

Don't know anything about Emtech 6000 but I'd bet the retarder is something you get from Emtech. Denatured alcohol will thin it but speed up the drying time.

Joe

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Steve,

this guitar is really beautiful. I'm somewhat of a bearclaw fan myself, and really like the top. I also think the lacewood works really well as a rosette and I might try that in the future.

best, Christian

Get the retarder for the Emtech right from Target when you order it. I've brushed it a couple of times, and I really like it.

"who cares about a little pitch pocket?" Martin does. I picked up a nice sitka top at their store. They had rejected it because of a pitch pocket. Didn't bother me one bit. Adds a little character.

OP, that's a fine looking instrument.

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Rob

Steve, that's one awesome guitar. It looks clean and gorgeous. Wood is wood. Personally I like it when it shows it's character. Nice work. What's next?

Thanks for all the nice comments. It's very gratifying to get compliments after all the hard work and from folks on the OLF that know what they are looking at. I've brought guitars into work to show them off and I get the strangest comments like, "look at that stand" and "what is that? - referring to the pick guard...

Randolph - For my next one I'd like to try a florentine cutaway. I have some straight grained black walnut I was thinking about using. I've made a form to bend the cutaway piece with and also made an insert into the mold. Joe - Maybe I'll try Emtech 6000 on the next one. ...any tips for a successful Emtech 6000 finish?