JJ My Friend, that is outstanding
![[clap]](./images/smilies/smiley32.gif "adulations")
That 4th picture of the headstock is excellent.
Stellar!
The bloodwood is perfect, not over powering like it can be at times.
Wonderful execution of a difficult design.
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| JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=21360 |
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| Author: | JJ Donohue [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 1:52 am ] |
| Post subject: | JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
Top = Lutz Spruce B&S = EIR with a Quilted Bubinga center wedge Binding = Bloodwood Headstock, Heel Plate, Butt Wedge, Rosette = Quilted Bubinga Finish = Cat Polyester by Joe White Tuners = SM's new 6-on-a-plate vintage tuners. Special thanks to Joe White for a special vintage-looking toner on the spruce top. He made up about 100 test color panels before we selected the right shade. He's the best! Special thanks also to Don Williams who designed my new signature logo and cut it and the headplate on his new CNC machine. Finally, thanks to Mario Proulx who last fall gave me a few of his new prototype cast pickguards to try. These look like the Greven style Tortis PGs but are significantly thinner yet still have a distinct bevel. Look for these soon in the StuMac catalog...I think they're going to be a winner! I'm blessed with special friends and very grateful for their support. Check out the pics: Mario's pickguard... Attachment: 10 Pickguard #2.jpg Full front Attachment: 10 Full Front.jpg back Attachment: 10 HD Back.jpg Headstock and Signature Logo Attachment: 10 HD Headstock.jpg Rosette & Bridge Attachment: 10 HD Rosette & Bridge.jpg Butt Wedge Attachment: 10 HD Butt Wedge.jpg I'm very pleased with the sound...it is full and sustaining and surprisingly has a warm tone...not the jangly sound that I have experienced on the heavier braced factory 12ers. It's tuned to concert pitch now but I'll be tweaking for another week until it's all settled in. Thanks for looking. |
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| Author: | John Killin [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 1:58 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
That is nice. Great finish. How did you do the rosette? It almost looks like the pick guard material. Which I like. |
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| Author: | Rod True [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 2:49 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
JJ My Friend, that is outstanding That 4th picture of the headstock is excellent. Stellar! The bloodwood is perfect, not over powering like it can be at times. Wonderful execution of a difficult design. |
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| Author: | Bobc [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 5:03 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
Looks terrific JJ. Very nice combination of woods. Nice pickguard too. 
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| Author: | Colin S [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 5:35 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
JJ, great looking crafstmanship, and I love the slothead, sort of goes on for ever, but makes the 'Dread' look so much lighter. Oh, and more people (including me) should do three piece backs. Great job all round. Colin |
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| Author: | John Watkins [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 7:12 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
Beautiful work JJ. Can't wait to play it in April! |
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| Author: | Sam Price [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 7:27 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
An elegant instrument, JJ! |
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| Author: | Kim [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 7:56 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
Great work JJ, the slot head and slope shoulder are a natural pairing and give a very classy look and the lutz top look superb, no staining so it must be one of Shane's?  Cheers Kim |
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| Author: | John Killin [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 8:16 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
How do you like the vintage tuners? |
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| Author: | JJ Donohue [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 8:47 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
Many thanks for the kind and generous comments. John...The rosette material came from the same orphaned back that the Zootman found. After the wedge and headplate, there was little left. Just enough to rout out 2 semi-circular strips that kinda matched. I routed out a corresponding pocket in the spruce top then inlayed and glued them in place. After leveling, I then routed for the multiple layers of purfling and glued them in place. On the vintage tuners...I like the look, but their operation is nowhere close to the precision I'm accustomed to with Waverly or even Grover open backs. Sadly, there just aren't any good options for slothead 12 strings. Too bad because the 12er's tuning sensitivity is the very issue that would be immensely helped by having good tuners. Kim... It is in fact a top from Shane...the only Lutz source I would ever trust! I originally planned to do a burst but Joe gave me that look...you know the kind of look I mean. His reluctance was because he thought it had such strong silking and it just needed to be enhanced... and a burst would have detracted from the top's natural beauty. He was right...as usual. |
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| Author: | StevenWheeler [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 8:49 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
That is nice. You done good. The quilted Bubinga looks fabulous on the headstock. Steve |
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| Author: | bluescreek [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 9:27 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
JJ Very nice. I am sorry I got you so addicted to this . You need to stop in for apple pie some day again john |
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| Author: | Terence Kennedy [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 9:46 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
Got a shot of your bracing pattern JJ? Oh yeah, one more thing. Being a fairly recently cut wood have you had any stability issues with Shane's Lutz? Do you bake your tops? I love the way Lutz sounds but I have definitely had more movement with these tops vs. old stuff. Nice job on the instrument. Terry |
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| Author: | James Orr [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 11:47 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
I'm glad to have friends like you and Joe. The appointments are different than a vintage instrument, yet it feels vintage. I love the sloped shoulders. |
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| Author: | douglas ingram [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 12:17 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
I gotta try a 12 one of these days. I gotta try a steel string one of these days. Darn nylon string guitars...so addictive! |
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| Author: | Dave White [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 12:21 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
JJ, Lovely guitar all round - let's hear it !! |
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| Author: | Peter J [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 12:37 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
Beautiful instrument JJ ..... That Quilted Bubinga center wedge and headplate is really dazzling and the Bloodwood really complements it well. I miss the sound of a great, mellow 12 string. I guess I'll have to go and dig out the Leo Kottke CD's... Congratulations... keep up the good work.
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| Author: | JJ Donohue [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 12:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
John Hall...Thanks for the first "fix!" Brenda's apple pie could start another addiction. It should also be noted that I got the informal plans for the slope-shoulder from John, who got them from Martin. Nonetheless, I reduced the bracing mass to a fair extent based on the stiffness of this top as well as "intuition" based on experience. Terry...I actually don't have bracing pics but here's the gist. The X is splayed at 98*. It is 1/4" wide but 5/8" high at the intersection and not tucked at the lower legs. All braces are tapered...not scalloped. The top which I have had aging in my shop for 2 years should be stable...this is my 2nd Lutz top from Shane and never have seen signs of movement. I believe he kiln dries his tops as well before shipping, but I like to give them at least 1 year probation before using. I did not bake this top. Dave...Stay tuned on the sound clip. I'm going to have Joe White record this soon. My opinion, however is that it's better to hear it live...so you've been officially and formally invited for a visit! |
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| Author: | Steve Kinnaird [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 1:11 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
Out of the park, JJ! I love 12-fret dreads, and yours re-confirms my affection. Your color palette is supurb, and you really used that Bubinga to a nice effect. (Great, another JJ guitar to copy....) Steve |
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| Author: | Ken McKay [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 1:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
Congratulations on a very nice 12 string guitar! Got the glue today, and thanks again. |
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| Author: | JRessler [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 3:18 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
Beautiful! I saw this hanging in Joe's shop - it's nice to see it finished. I hope you will bring it to the Chicago OLF gathering |
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| Author: | Vincent Simokovich [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 8:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
Excellent work JJ! Vince |
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| Author: | Steve Walden [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 9:36 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
Whoa! Man is that cool! Congratulations JJ! I won't try to top Hesh's accolades. But he is right! Ver good job! |
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| Author: | WaddyThomson [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 9:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
Outstanding, JJ! You done good!
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| Author: | JJ Donohue [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 10:40 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: JJ's 12 String Slope-Shoulder Dred |
Terry...I found a bracing pic that was taken before final carving and voicing. The lower x was lightened significantly and the legs end 1/2" before the liners. Attachment: 10-Top Bracing 3.jpg
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