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#2 finished at last
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Author:  Dan Gunderson [ Wed Jan 13, 2010 6:43 pm ]
Post subject:  #2 finished at last
Hi everyone.
I spend a lot of time lurking and learning on this forum.
I've learned an extraordinary amount from you all, and really appreciate this place as a resource and a great community of folks.

I just finally got the strings on my #2 guitar, a sitka/mahogany terz/style 5 (from the Scott Antes plan from LMI).
I've had this thing on my little bench in the basement for close to 18 months, working on it simultaneously with an F-5 mandolin.
I made this for my daughter, she's 4 yrs old.
It's still way too big for now, but hopefully she grows into it and gets some enjoyment out of it.
Made a lot of mistakes with this one, working too quickly etc. Fit and finish is worse than with my first, but I've gained some confidence with respect to building.

Anyway, thanks again to you all. I'll post photos of the mandolin when it's done a year or two from now.

The wood is B-grade Sitka/Mahogany
Cocobolo binding, bridge, fretboard, headplate, end wedge.
Paua rosette and markers.
The headstock inlay is a picture jasper stone my wife's grandfather made many years ago.
Finish is french polish shellac on the body, Tru Oil on the neck.
Image

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Image
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Wed Jan 13, 2010 7:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: #2 finished at last
Sure looks good to me. Your daughter will be happy, some day! :D
Author:  Rod True [ Wed Jan 13, 2010 7:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: #2 finished at last
That's a nice looking gutiar, but honestly that pick guard is an eyesore. It really detracts from the overall loook of the guitar. I found myself eek when I saw it.

Very nice otherwise, especially for a #2
Author:  Jamie_M [ Wed Jan 13, 2010 7:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: #2 finished at last
Yes, very nice guitar, but I have to agree with Rod, not real fond of the pick guard. I have intentions of making a small body like this and I'm glad I've seen this one...it reaffirms my resolve. These small bodies just scream, "vintage".
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Wed Jan 13, 2010 7:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: #2 finished at last
The pickguard may not be the best feature of the guitar, but, considering the customer for this guitar, age 4, it is probably a good idea!!!!!! :D
Author:  Hesh [ Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: #2 finished at last
WaddyThomson wrote:
The pickguard may not be the best feature of the guitar, but, considering the customer for this guitar, age 4, it is probably a good idea!!!!!! :D


Agreed - Dan she's a beauty and I am sure that your daughter will be absolutely thrilled. What a wonderful legacy to give your daughter too - hats off to ya!!!
Author:  Randolph [ Thu Jan 14, 2010 10:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: #2 finished at last
I think she's a real beauty. There's something I really like (oddly enough) about the "B" grade mahogany. It sets off nicely with the Cocobolo binding. Way to go and congratulations!! [clap]
Author:  Wes Paul [ Thu Jan 14, 2010 11:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: #2 finished at last
Fantastic guitar! I cant wait to build one like this. Your daughter is really lucky to have a dad like you.
Nice end wedge and purfling.
I dont mind the pick guard so much!
Author:  Haans [ Thu Jan 14, 2010 12:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: #2 finished at last
Fer cute!
What's the lower bout on these?
Author:  lactose [ Thu Jan 14, 2010 12:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: #2 finished at last
What an awesome gift. Lots of nice detail. If this is only your second guitar, I need to give up guitar building.
Author:  Todd Rose [ Thu Jan 14, 2010 1:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: #2 finished at last
That's a sweet little guitar, Dan!
[clap] [clap] [clap]







(I, too, would like it even more with a different pickguard.)
Author:  Darrin D Oilar [ Thu Jan 14, 2010 1:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: #2 finished at last
I really like the contrast of the binding/purfling with the sides...very pretty. I wanted to make a smaller guitar for my daughter, but she kept asking when I was gong to make hers, so I finally just said the first one would be hers. I used purpleheart for the binding as purple is her favorite color. Those little girls have a way of getting what they want. :-D

Darrin
Author:  Corky Long [ Thu Jan 14, 2010 5:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: #2 finished at last
Nice Guitar, Dan!! Your daughter will be delighted, when she's old enough to start playing it.

(And just 20 minutes ago my 5 year old daughter asked me to build her one!!) [:Y:]
Author:  Dan Gunderson [ Fri Jan 15, 2010 12:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: #2 finished at last
Thanks for the feedback everyone.
I'm kind of torn on the pickguard.
At first it seemed way too big, and I hesitated putting it on.
Once I did, I knew immediately that it was too big, and regretted it.
Since then, though, I've started getting used to it. It's not the traditional look, but it's not terribly offensive to me anymore, and it will provide that extra measure of toddler protection. We'll see if I get the notion to pull it off and shape it down.
IF I do decide to go that route, what's the best way to go about getting that pickguard off? A little heat and that's it, or is there more to it?
Also, anyone have any experience cutting/shaping the Tortis material. I've heard it cuts/sands pretty easily, but haven't tried it yet.

Thanks again everyone.
Author:  Dan Gunderson [ Fri Jan 15, 2010 12:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: #2 finished at last
Oh, Haans, the lower bout is about 11.25".
Author:  woodsworth [ Fri Jan 15, 2010 12:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: #2 finished at last
wow all my dad made for me was, well actually he never made anything for me. He did put together a bike that was in a bag, but he buggered it up so bad that i injured myself so bad going down a gravel hill, that i wasn't allowed to ride it ever again....

Thankfully he never made or put anything else together for me again...

Very nice guitar. I'm in the nay on the pick guard as well. Hopefully she doesn't go all Hendrix on it. Hide the lighter fluid!
Author:  Bailey [ Fri Jan 15, 2010 1:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: #2 finished at last
Nice!! I want to do a little one some day....Guitar that is!....I already went through all the other little ones.
The picture Jasper ...interesting touch for peghead.
Kent
Author:  Todd Rose [ Fri Jan 15, 2010 1:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: #2 finished at last
http://frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Tec ... guard.html
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