Official Luthiers Forum!

Finally finished #50!
Specs:Sitka top,Big leaf curly male back and sides,curly koa appointments,ebony board,"stealth"volume and tone control.

Beautiful Brad. Very "rich". Love the figured wood accents on the tailpiece & pickup (how'd you do that!?). (And buttons I just noticed!)
The f-holes seem larger than typical... is that something you've evolved over time?
Well done & congrats on 50 (whew!!)

_________________
Dave
Milton, ON

Killer, Brad! Beautiful guitar!

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Brad, that's a killer.. I always wanted to do an arch top showpiece with a pod of dolphins swimming through natural quilt maple of the top, or something similar to this one. The price of the build always stopped me..

Congrats on #50, it's fantastic.

Craig L

_________________
www.handcraftinlay.com

That is one hell of a 'sexy beast'.
Congrats on #50 - a real stunner. I love the wood combinations and the back head plate is a real treat on the eye.
Bravo

Nice Job Brad , a true work of art, that must be the one you were talking about on the phone. sweet!. Jody

Wow - what a nice instrument! 50 archtops - a very appropriate motif for your golden anniversary!

_________________
The member formerly known as erikbojerik....

Glorious! Lovely wood and design. Just jaw-droppingly gorgeous. I also want to see the tailpiece and let us know about the pickup.

_________________
"Building guitars looks hard, but it's actually much harder than it looks." Tom Buck

Thanks for compliments,guys.

Dave,
Actually the f holes aren't bigger than "normal" (for me)-I forgot to mention that this is a 16" guitar. They are actually the only shape/size that I have ever used on all my archtops. They are completely plagurized from John D'angelico,so I cant take any credit for there design.
I actually encased the pickup(handmade Kent Armstrong) in solid koa around the edges and veneered the top,all from the same piece of wood -including the pickguard ,so the grain matches on everything.
The top of the ebony tailpiece is curved first (both directions) then veneered in curly koa,then the "facets" are carved.

Waddy,
Thanks for the compliment.

Craig,
That sounds like a great idea! Maybe we should do that!

Mathew,
Thanks, This is the first time I've used koa as a head veeer and backstrap-I just love the way koa looks against maple-I have admired other guitars with that combo and have been dying to try it.

Jody,
Yea that's it-we have to get together so I can check out your guitar!

Erik,
Thanks.
Actually it's my 50th guitar including flattops -(not including mandos,electrics and lute).
I hve made about half archtops/half flattops.

Chris,
I don't have a picture of the underside of the tailpiece.
It's very simple.I make a piece of brass about 3/32" thick and bend it to the appropriate angle (aprox. 80 degrees),drill countersunk holes in it then inlay it in the underside of the tailpiece,then drill holes in the ebony,then tap the holes and install machine screws.

Filippo,
Thanks for the compliment.
I love maple!!

Steve,
Thanks.
We were posting at the same time
This is the first time I have ever "encased" a pickup in wood.-See explanation to Dave in previous post.

Looks great brad…I would like to see it before it heads out the door or are going to keep this one #50 and all…congrats!!!

_________________
Rich S

"The inconvenience of poor quality will linger long after the thrill of a bargain has been forgotten"

Hi Rich,
It is for sale on http://www.customguitarboutique.com
It is staying in my shop untill it sells,however.
You are welcome to check it out,of course.

50 is a great accomplishment Brad - spectacular .. I too love the tailpiece .. that IS elegance at its finest.

_________________
Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Thanks,Tony-I just hope I make it to 100!!(guitars and years).

Beautiful guitar Brad. I love the Koa and that tailpiece!

Wow, what an incredible instrument Brad! Excellent design and craftsmanship - I love it!! In particular, I like the encased pickup idea. If I may, I'd like to borrow that idea from you (with full attribution, of course!)?
It's a work of art, and will be an inspiration to me as I embark on making my first archtop later this year (in the Luthierforum.com choco-vanilla cedar top build-along).

Cheers,
Dave F.

_________________
Cambrian Guitars

"There goes Mister Tic-Tac out the back with some bric-brac from the knick-knack rack"

Wonderful work, Brad. I think the koa goes great with the maple. I like the tuner buttons too.

_________________
Ken Franklin
clumsy yet persistent
https://www.kenfranklinukulele.com

That is a beautiful guitar Brad.

_________________
Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Brad,
What a beautiful guitar for your 50th!
Congratulations...It is gorgeous !

_________________
Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

looks great Brad

_________________
Say what you do, Do what you say.

Congratulations on your beautiful guitar number 50!

_________________
Ken

Like everyone said, Brad, that IS a beauty!
I love the artistic feel of that first shot.
Now, looks like the f holes are bound with Koa? Yes?
Do you have a close-up of an f hole?

Thanks,

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Thanks again everyone,for the compliments.

Steve,
Yes, the f holes are bound in curly koa-here's a shot,
Brad

Man, that's nice!
Thanks Brad, and again...well done.

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com