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I just finished the final sanding of the box for #15 and I am pretty excited with the results.  This one is going out for finishing next week and getting a poly finish from Joe White.

Other then installing the heal cap and final sanding the neck it is ready to go.

The top is some of Shane's outstanding Lutz which has some bear claw in it.  The back and sides are Honduran mahogany from Uncle Bob.  The fret board blank and bridge blank (both BRW) came from Steve at Colonial.  And the neck is from John Watkins mahogany/maple/mahogany.

The purfs are something that was new for me and I first saw these on a HGF guitar that Brock exhibited.  These are also from Uncle Bob and Mahog-O-Lam which I think came out very well.

I thought that I would share some pics with my OLF pals.

First check out this BRW bridge.

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Ann Arbor Guitars

I forgot to mention that this is an OLF SJ from our pal Michael Payne's excellent plans!

The guitar currently weighs 3 pounds less strings, open back tuners, and finish - so I am sure it will be sub 4 pounds all up.

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Ann Arbor Guitars

Gorgeous...as always. You're a prolific builder Hesh. Happy New Year.

Bill

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

Hesh it looks great.   I am really impressed with the elegant and simple design of your bridge.

Looks mighty fine as usual Hesh. I like that purfling on the top from Zootman.It looks very nice!
Another great job bud!! Why the change in finish Hesh ?

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Very nice Hesh........ Brandon.

Beautiful Hesh!  How 'bout a closeup of the rosette! Is that BRW?

J.R.

Thanks guys!

Bill I am feeling great and building a lot more now which is a very good thing.  In fact I am chomping at the bit to start the next one but still not sure what it will be.

John my friend thanks for the kind comments on my bridge.  There were three inspirations for this design which I call the "Stealth" bridge.  First was Scott Van Linge and the info that he shared with us a few years ago.  Second was the flying wing, BII bomber, and the third inspiration was a melting Hershey kiss in the middle of a cookie just out of the oven.......

Dave buddy I have a customer for this one and a poly finish, if available, was requested.  In addition Joe White has really impressed me with his dedication to providing poly finishing to us.  I am meeting Joe next week and greatly looking forward to it.

Tony Ferguson's work is outstanding in all respects and I have never had any issues with Tony or his beautiful finishes and I still highly recommend him. 

Joe is offering poly where Tony is catalyzed urethane and this means that we all now have even more choices which is always a very good thing.  I'll be reporting on how Joe does since I am one of his very first customers but I can tell you right now that I have the utmost confidence in Joe.

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Ann Arbor Guitars

Very Nice
Is this your 1st SJ???

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Thanks guys!

JR here is a not so good shot of the BRW rosette.



Andy bro this is my 3rd SJ but the first one in a couple of years and the first one that I parabolically braced.  Here are the other two.

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Ann Arbor Guitars

I didn't know this was a commission for you Hesh. Hey Congrats on that!!
I'm sure your customer will love it!

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

I didn't say commission Dave my friend - I said that this one is going to a customer.....  I just hope that they are right handed......

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Ann Arbor Guitars

Goodness, that guitar is just gonna pop under finish. Very elegant Hesh! Hmmmmm Hmmmmm!

I see, You are planning on selling it. It must be past my bedtime!    

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Fine work, Hesh!  We have come to expect nothing less from you.  You have definitely go the chops for this.  That is beautiful.    

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Way to go Bud! Do you feel like your getting better at this, faster... both?

BTW the Hond-Hog is awesome!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Hesh,

Congrats on your exceptional work!

Great looking guitar. I especially like the purfling on the top. I am going to have to try something like that. Can't wait to see it with finish on it.

Max

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Max Bishop
Brighton, Michigan

Dave this one is a gift for a fellow OLFer - more to come on this when we all get together at Uncle Bob's new Global headquarters for RC Tonewoods.......

Billy yep I am getting faster and I think that I am getting better too.  My guitars sound better, are louder, lighter, and I never seem to have any issues with them. 

This one will have taken me about 50 hours total once I get it back from finishing and spend about 6-8 hours on final set-up, gluing the bridge, adjusting the action, making the nut and saddle, and micro-meshing the BRW bridge pins in a hand drill....  Note:  I out source the finish but even when I finished my own guitars the actual hours spent working on the finish, not waiting for it to harden/cure, were not all that many.

I think that my first guitar took me over 150 hours to build and finish........

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Ann Arbor Guitars

did you hand bend the purfling or did you make an undersized mold? Love the purfling

Michael the purfing was a dream to work with.  I just thicknessed it in the Performax to around .060 and taped 2 pieces together and bent it in the Fox bender on the same form as the sides.

The purfing is flexible to a degree and it pressed nicely into place with no gaps.  Very easy and a nice alternative for something different, not shell, and all wood.  It comes in maple too.

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Ann Arbor Guitars

Very nice looking guitar Hesh!

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Simple, elegant and drop dead beauitful Hesh!  You really know how to pay attention to the details.

I'm really interested in the sound of the guitar with the poly on it. Since you have several with nitro on it already, this should give you some idea of how much the finish affects the final sound.

GREAT job my friend!

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Reguards,

Ken H

hesh that is another first class offering.

dont you think its about you went pro and starting doing comosion builds.
i have guitar that only one third as good as yours selling thousands of
dollers.

well done

joel.

[QUOTE=joelThompson] hesh that is another first class offering.

dont you think its about you went pro and starting doing comosion
builds.
i have guitar that only one third as good as yours selling thousands of
dollers.

well done

joel.[/QUOTE]

sorry i wrote that one a bit fast i must learn to check my posts more
carfully

this should read,
I have seen guitars that are only one third as good as yours selling for
thousands of dollers.

joel.