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Well,

I'm trusting USPS to get this one to Northern MN safely. I packed it up about as securely as can be without an armor case. I don't generally have time to post many pics since I'm always busy in my shop, so I thought I'd display a couple of pics. I'm not quite there with my photography skills yet so I only have a few shots worthy of showing and those aren't that great really, but I'm improving. These pics do this instrument no justice compared to seeing it in person. I built this one as per the custom requests of it's new owner. He wanted it to be built of a variety of American woods with a simple appearance so it is mostly that. It does however have some EIR incorporated for visual effects, and a Morado fretboard. The sound and responsiveness of this guitar are so sweet and this thing is loud projecting every note with clarity. It responds well to a light touch when finger picking, yet gives what you want on demand when driving it hard with a pick. It is well balanced between the Bass, Mid-range, and Highs and performs well un-amped in a large or small room. Leaving it at the post office, I felt extreme remorse as if I'd shipped off one of my own children. I guess because all the others are local so far, I get to see them from time to time and hear them as their voice matures. I do have some sound clips of this but it will be a while before I have time to get them on line.

Specs are as follows;
The body is my own variation of the OM size with a transparent pick guard
Soundboard is Master Grade Sitka
Back is Texas Mesquite (this stuff really does sing like BRW)
Sides are 1/4 sawn American Black Cherry
The 7 pc neck is Claro Walnut-Mesquite-EIR-Quilted Maple
Binding and HS Veneer is EIR
Semi-Spherical Fret ends (Thanks Charles Fox and Sylvan Wells)
Morado Fretboard w Bone Nut
Pinless Claro Walnut bridge (Thanks Jeff Elliot and Mike Doolin) w Bone Saddle
Standard X bracing on the soundboard and Dbl X bracing on the back (Thanks Michael Bashkin)
6 In Line Waverley Tuning Machines
EM6000 Lacquer on the body
Tru-Oil finish on the neck. (I know some don't care for Tru-Oil, but it makes a neck feel soooo good, and is easy to maintain.)

_________________
Bill Hodge


One does not simply, own enough guitars!

I love 6 in line headstocks on acoustics. Rest of the guit looks nice too. I always wanted to try mesquite for an instrument, now I really really want to after your experience with it.

Thanks Ian,

I appreciate you looking. I wish I were a much better photographer so I could post some good clear and crisp photos to do this one justice. I guess if I keep working at it, my pics will improve over time. The saddle may look a bit tall in the photo (it is 3/16 above the bridge) but this is the way this particular player likes his to appear at the bridge. Probably because he played a Gibson lap steel and a Dobro for so many years. I had to set the neck just right to accept this while still allowing for a good medium to low action at the twelfth. He picks lightly by finger and drives hard with a pick and I believe this one will meet the specific needs he expressed. Can't wait to get feedback from him when it arrives.

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Bill Hodge


One does not simply, own enough guitars!

Very nice work. I love seeing mesquite going to good use! If you don't mind me asking, where did you source your mesquite? It grows all around me, but finding pieces big and straight enough is a challenge. Regardless, this has motivated me to get back to the shop. Thanks for sharing!

Donald

Thanks Donald! Growing up in S. Texas I developed a love for Mesquite (though many farmers and ranchers hate it, a benefit to those of us who like it ). A couple of sources for some quality Mesquite are Mesquite Burl and South Texas Mesquite Supply. I have a third one from Austin (or maybe New Braunfels) bookmarked somewhere but I can't seem to find that bookmark. This particular set I had gotten at a superb price from a luthier in GA that was quitting the trade a few years ago. It had sides but they would have made the OM sized body too shallow. Thus, I used them as part of the 7 pc neck. I have 1 other piece I plan to use someday as a fretboard.

_________________
Bill Hodge


One does not simply, own enough guitars!