Official Luthiers Forum!

Owned and operated by Lance Kragenbrink
It is currently Mon Mar 18, 2024 11:03 pm


All times are UTC - 5 hours





Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 27 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Fri Mar 28, 2014 7:13 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:04 pm
Posts: 712
First name: Doug
Last Name: Balzer
City: Calgary
State: Alberta
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
I'll be making an OM mod. with materials from the family farm just north of Calgary. The only non-local woods will be the top bracing (Sitka) but is found in the neighbouring province of BC and the purfling. This will be a surprise birthday present for my wife's sister who lives on the farm and loves to play the guitar. This is a unofficial entry as a winner of the 2013 Challenge but I wish to post the build progress nonetheless in this most interesting challenge theme.

The colour of wood in this part of the world is quite light and uniform so I will be creative and ebonize some of the elements for needed contrast using the vinegar & steel wool method.

-top: salvaged cedar from a beam in the 80 year old barn...6 piece top. Btw, looking at the pic can anyone specifically identify the species?
-b/s: birch
-neck: birch
-fretboard: ebonized mountain ash
-bridge: crab apple
-head plate: crab apple
-end graft: lilac
-linings: mountain ash
-back braces: birch
-binding...mountain ash

Coincidently, not knowing of the theme for the current Challenge, I began scavenging materials for this a year ago and began work on it a few weeks ago.

Below- cedar top source on left
Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

_________________
Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something


Last edited by Doug Balzer on Sun Jun 08, 2014 9:14 am, edited 2 times in total.

Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 7:27 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Fri Oct 14, 2011 10:29 am
Posts: 502
First name: joseph
Last Name: sallis
City: newcastle-upon-tyne
State: tyne and wear
Zip/Postal Code: ne46xe
Country: UK
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
looks great, doug. niece choice of woods. Don't know why you can't enter the voting?

_________________
We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at guitars.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 2:22 pm 
Offline
Walnut
Walnut
User avatar

Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2014 5:52 pm
Posts: 38
Location: Oregon
First name: Zach
State: Oregon
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Looking good! I love the idea of using those very personal reclaimed woods. It's not obvious to when looking at the pictures that this has a 6-piece top. I'd love to see your process and results for ebonizing the wood if you feel like documenting it!


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 8:52 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:04 pm
Posts: 712
First name: Doug
Last Name: Balzer
City: Calgary
State: Alberta
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
Ebonized mountain ash fretboard. Darkened with a vinager/steel wool stew that brewed for a month. Tung oil on top.


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

_________________
Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 11:37 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 1:32 pm
Posts: 3470
First name: Alex
Last Name: Kleon
City: Whitby
State: Ontario
Zip/Postal Code: L1N8X2
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
How many applications did you do to get that colour, Doug? It really pops under the tung oil!

Alex

_________________
"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 7:57 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:04 pm
Posts: 712
First name: Doug
Last Name: Balzer
City: Calgary
State: Alberta
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
Alex Kleon wrote:
How many applications did you do to get that colour, Doug? It really pops under the tung oil!

Alex


Maybe three coats. I stopped when it stopped getting darker but is really relative to the sanding grit used. I first went to 320 but could not get it dark enough so I backed off to 220. My test boards sanded to 80 grit through the drum sander went a chocolate brown without using any oil!

I have also tested on apple, which I may use for the bridge, and I hope to achieve a deep charcoal colour...but we'll wait to see.

_________________
Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something


Last edited by Doug Balzer on Sun Apr 27, 2014 8:44 am, edited 1 time in total.

Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 8:29 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 1:32 pm
Posts: 3470
First name: Alex
Last Name: Kleon
City: Whitby
State: Ontario
Zip/Postal Code: L1N8X2
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Another question, Doug - did you use food grade white vinegar, or cleaning vinegar? I think the cleaning grade is about 2% more acetic, and might speed the process.
One thing for sure, you wouldn't want to put a water based finish over this stain!

Alex

_________________
"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 8:44 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:04 pm
Posts: 712
First name: Doug
Last Name: Balzer
City: Calgary
State: Alberta
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
Food grade vinegar.

_________________
Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 8:47 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 1:32 pm
Posts: 3470
First name: Alex
Last Name: Kleon
City: Whitby
State: Ontario
Zip/Postal Code: L1N8X2
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I'll bet you had the urge to go to a chip truck for french fries after staining!

Alex

_________________
"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 9:29 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2010 12:46 am
Posts: 1247
First name: Beth
Last Name: Mayer
City: Tucson
State: AZ
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
That colored beautifully. I don't understand the reference to sanding and how that affects the color. It sounded like you were sanding from higher to lower grits instead of the other way around?!


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 9:52 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:04 pm
Posts: 712
First name: Doug
Last Name: Balzer
City: Calgary
State: Alberta
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
Lower grits exposes more micro-surface area where the solution can take effect...at least that is my theory.

_________________
Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something



These users thanked the author Doug Balzer for the post: Beth Mayer (Mon Apr 28, 2014 11:08 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 8:20 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:04 pm
Posts: 712
First name: Doug
Last Name: Balzer
City: Calgary
State: Alberta
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
So a few updates...the very soft b/s were causing a lot of cracking, etc. let's just say nightmare. I also didn't like the very light colour with the darker cedar top. So I dyed the b/s a deep brown/black along with the ash bindings but did so in a 'distressed' manner. This is a farm guitar after all...rough and tumble.


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

_________________
Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 9:30 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:04 pm
Posts: 712
First name: Doug
Last Name: Balzer
City: Calgary
State: Alberta
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
Getting close...


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

_________________
Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 6:57 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2012 11:52 am
Posts: 1388
First name: Zeke
Last Name: McKee
City: Goodlettsville
State: TN
Zip/Postal Code: 37070
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Doug I'm amazed at the quality of your instruments and how far you've come in the short time you have been building. This guitar is amazing. Keep up the good work. When are you going pro? Lol



These users thanked the author ZekeM for the post: Doug Balzer (Wed Jul 16, 2014 11:15 pm)
Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 8:18 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:04 pm
Posts: 712
First name: Doug
Last Name: Balzer
City: Calgary
State: Alberta
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
Finished. She is a warm sounding guitar but does not have as much sustain as my other builds...likely due to the soft materials used in the neck, back and sides. Nice tone though, with lots of tonal range, shimmer, and response. I gave it to my sister-in-law today after the farm was hit hard with hail and tons of damage. She cried. She didn't know it was coming. My 14 year old joked afterwards, "Auntie Michelle cried because when she saw the guitar she realized that it sucked so badly...." Glad to have him poke fun.

Specs:

Top: Red cedar salvaged from cedar post on farm. The darker streaks are likely from mineralization over the decades
Back & sides: salvaged from dead birch tree felled in 2010.
Back bracing: birch
Neck: birch
Fretboard: dyed mountain ash
Body binding: mountain ash
Interior lining: mountain ash
Body end graft: lilac
Headstock veneer: crab-apple
Bridge: crab-apple
Heel cap: crab-apple
Nut & saddle: Whitetail deer antler found on the farm. No, I didn't shoot this one.
Tuners: Grover
Scale: 25.4"

Image

_________________
Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something


Last edited by Doug Balzer on Wed Oct 29, 2014 9:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 8:27 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Fri May 18, 2012 8:35 pm
Posts: 2658
Location: Austin, Texas
First name: Dan
Last Name: Smith
City: Round Rock
State: TX
Zip/Postal Code: 78681
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
It looks great Doug!
I really like the look of the Crabapple.
The top has some really nice color too.
Great job!
Dan

_________________
wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah



These users thanked the author dzsmith for the post: Doug Balzer (Fri Jul 18, 2014 11:56 pm)
Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 11:44 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2010 12:46 am
Posts: 1247
First name: Beth
Last Name: Mayer
City: Tucson
State: AZ
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Pretty amazing, Doug! You are really talented :)


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 5:46 am 
Offline
Walnut
Walnut
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 03, 2013 9:36 pm
Posts: 14
Location: Fayetteville, NC
First name: Dan
Last Name: DeBruler
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Wow. Nice job. Thanks for sharing its journey.

_________________
Image

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Why save the best for last when you can give it today.
Love. Reach. Teach

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -



These users thanked the author CommGuy107 for the post: Doug Balzer (Sat Jul 19, 2014 8:34 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 6:52 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:34 am
Posts: 3081
Not much for cedar, but that top went together VERY well!
I like the looks of it and good to see you are experimenting with the woods of the future.
That you gave it to your sister-in-law is outstanding!!!



These users thanked the author Haans for the post: Doug Balzer (Sat Jul 19, 2014 8:34 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 8:03 am 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2008 10:08 pm
Posts: 1958
Location: Missouri
First name: Patrick
Last Name: Hanna
State: Missouri
Country: USA
Nice outcome, Doug! In particular, I like the shape of this guitar very much, but all the little details look very nicely brought together. Congrats.
Patrick



These users thanked the author cphanna for the post: Doug Balzer (Sat Jul 19, 2014 8:34 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 8:14 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 05, 2013 12:57 pm
Posts: 903
Location: London, England
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
ZekeM wrote:
Doug I'm amazed at the quality of your instruments and how far you've come in the short time you have been building. This guitar is amazing. Keep up the good work. When are you going pro? Lol


+1

It's lovely, Doug!



These users thanked the author Nick Royle for the post: Doug Balzer (Sat Jul 19, 2014 8:34 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 7:21 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 1:32 pm
Posts: 3470
First name: Alex
Last Name: Kleon
City: Whitby
State: Ontario
Zip/Postal Code: L1N8X2
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
That's a killer looking guitar, Doug! You worked some guitar alchemy with those woods, turning lead into gold!

Alex

_________________
"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker



These users thanked the author Alex Kleon for the post: Doug Balzer (Mon Jul 21, 2014 8:50 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Mon May 04, 2015 2:56 pm 
Offline
Walnut
Walnut
User avatar

Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2014 5:52 pm
Posts: 38
Location: Oregon
First name: Zach
State: Oregon
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Doug, I keep coming back to your build as a sort of inspiration. Any word on how these materials are weathering? I'm especially curious about the bracing and the neck.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Mon May 04, 2015 3:01 pm 
Offline
Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:49 am
Posts: 12964
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
First name: Hesh
Last Name: Breakstone
City: Ann Arbor
State: Michigan
Country: United States
Status: Professional
Outstanding Doug - very well done!

I love the shape and it reminds me of the Jetsons. Cool shape for a contemporary guitar!

_________________
Ann Arbor Guitars



These users thanked the author Hesh for the post: Doug Balzer (Mon May 04, 2015 9:09 pm)
Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Doug's Farm Guitar
PostPosted: Mon May 04, 2015 3:02 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2010 11:42 pm
Posts: 1701
First name: John
Last Name: Parchem
City: Seattle
State: Wa
Zip/Postal Code: 98177
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Alex Kleon wrote:
Another question, Doug - did you use food grade white vinegar, or cleaning vinegar? I think the cleaning grade is about 2% more acetic, and might speed the process.
One thing for sure, you wouldn't want to put a water based finish over this stain!

Alex



I have been ebonizing various wood for awhile and the site that I learned it from was very clear apple cider vinegar. Also it is not a stain the wood itself changed colors from a chemical process. I found the change has enough depth that I can finish sand the raised grain from the water in the vinegar no problem. Also no problem with water based finishes.

_________________
http://www.Harvestmoonguitars.com


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 27 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
phpBB customization services by 2by2host.com