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Strung up an Imbuia SJ this last week. The Imbuia was a nice set from Uncle Bob at RC Tonewoods. I really like the subtle mottled grain patterns on this wood species. My set smelled like pepper and cinnamon when I was sanding it although some have noted other more exotic olfactory associations when sending a plank through the thickness sander. Anyway, the Imbuia was quite easy to work for those wanting to give it a try. The curly Koa – less so. Kind of tough getting it to bend into a 1.5” radius for the sound port. I picked up a mini lathe a few months ago and I think I’m going to try to turn a ring for the port on my next one. Any tips or suggestions from anyone who has tried this approach already?

Here are the specs –

Imbuia back and side set
Curly Koa binding
Macassar Ebony fretboard, headplate and bridge (29 grams)
Amboyna burl rosette with shell inlay
Carpathian Spruce Top
Brushed Behlens Varnish finish

I’ve attached a few backyard photos I took this afternoon. Comments welcome.

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Doug Mills
Chicago, Illinois

Doug, what a beauty. The binding and the rosette are especially amazing. And I can attest to the fact that it plays and sounds as good as it looks. Another lovely guitar, Doug!

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

Man, that's a pretty guitar Doug! Love the Koa. What did you use for neck finish and how did you transition it?

Cheers,
Danny

Beautiful guitar Doug! Did you have to apply a seal coat before brushing the varnish?

-J.

Beautiful guitar.

Great combo Doug .....very rich.
A beauty!

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Dave
Milton, ON

Very Nice Doug! The koa appointments look great on it.

Wow, that's beautiful!

Matt

If some critique is accepted:

1. the top and rosette purfling could have been the same all over, I would have added the third black at the binding and soundhole too.

2. I can't find any relation between the maple of the neck with the back color scheme. Perhaps a koa thick insert flanked by thin maple to match the back stripe? (take the second with salt as I hate skunk stripes no matter what)

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Build log

Very nice. I love Imbuia - I made my second guitar from it and it's still one of my favourite woods.

Nice choice pairing it with Koa. Classy look.

Neil

Thanks for the comments and the critique. I really appreciate it.

-Steve – looking forward to seeing your latest when it returns from Joe’s place with its new finish.
-Danny – Trueoil on the neck, probably 8 to 10 coats. I think it gives a hard fast finish once it’s rubbed out. And a refresh only takes some light steel wooling and a couple of new coats.
-Chinito – No sealer on the body or bindings prior to the varnish. I did however seal the top with a quick french polish session prior to applying the varnish.
-Alexandru – thanks for the critique. For me, rosettes need to establish a visual rhythm as well as provide a conclusion or termination via grouped elements or a strong boundary condition which was my intent with the double outer rosette perfs. I too am not a fan of bold neck striping, but it was the last CNC neck in my wood closet (raffle prize won at a previous Chicago builders gathering). My next build will include my first attempt at a fully carved neck with a more subtle neck lamination scheme.

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Doug Mills
Chicago, Illinois

I had my nose right up to that guitar on Saturday to see the detail on the trim. Doug, that's some top notch work.

Steve

Beautiful Doug !
I to love Imbuia.
It's a sweet wood to work with!

Your selection of woods are great.
Great workmanship also!
I got my first set of it from Don Wiliiams
of New England Tonewoods a few years ago
That guitar sold instantly in Montreal .

Mike

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Mike Collins

Beautiful guitar Doug. Great combination of woods. Hope you don't mind if I snag some pic's for our website.

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Bob, I'd be honored. And please put me on your tickler list for when you have more Imbuia available. I'd love to get another set from you.

Steve - thats high praise knowing the quality of work you had on display Saturday. By the way, I thought those nose prints looked like yours.

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Doug Mills
Chicago, Illinois