I just discovered the OLF and am amazed at the expertise, craftsmanship, and information available. I have read EVERY post for 6 pages back since last night and just get more excited about guitar building with each new thread and pictures of your creations so I thought I'd add mine (thumbnails at bottom).
I recognize a couple of names from other forums so I hope these pics aren't too repetitive for some of you. I built this from a Martin Jumbo Kit. But it is actually a cross between a 0000/M and a Jumbo as I cut the body down to a 4 1/2" depth at the lower bout. Typically the Jumbo is 4 7/8" - same as a Martin Dread and the 0000/M is typically 4 1/8" deep with the same body shape as the Jumbo. So this fits right in the middle as I am a couch player and the dreads are too deep for me but I wanted something different than an M.
I was trying to get a sweeter, brighter tone than my 000-16SRGT Martin which is warm, warm, warm, and surprisigly the guitar does just that. It really sings in the mid-higher registers, maybe a bit too much, but I think it is just the contrast with my other guitar. Time should change things a bit and different strings but very pleased it makes noise at all.
It also fits my body just as planned. The thinner profile is very comfortable and the volume and sustain are just fine. I'm planning to build another out of rosewood with the same depth and bracing to hear the differences the one wood might make.
I cut the slot head from the stock paddle head and the red wood you see is Padauk and the lamination you see on the back of the slot head is there becase I didn't know that paddle heads are thinner than slots. One of many pimples and detail mistakes that don't show in the pics but I am really pleased with the results.
I used MinWax quick dry polyurethane for the finish and I hope it hangs in there. So far so good but have never heard of it being used before. It seems so hard to have verything on hand as the job progreses and I found my self with a free weekend and no KTM-9 or nitro so down to the hardware store I went. I'll probably try the KTM-9 next time.
About the bracing. I adopted (stole?) a couple of different ideas for what you see and wish I knew more about such things to let you know if it worked or not or which parts worked and which parts didn't but it sounds fine. The tone has changed dramatically in the last month and don't know which part or piece contributed to the change but I understand that is normal and look forward to playing every night to see what change has taken place.
So a hearty hello and a thank you for your great forum and I am looking forward to participating.
Larry
Click thumbails to enlarge - sorry about the bad light in the pics.
