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It took me 3 1/2 months, with many days that started at 5am and ended after midnight. I feel as though I've run a marathon. It was worth every minute. Yes, there most definitely are little mistakes, but I'm happy with the result. Most importantly, it sounds incredible! I got to play it for the first time tonight. The sustain goes on forever and the sound is warm, but well balanced. It has clear mids, bright trebles, and a balanced bass. I know it will open up as it settles down. I'll play it more when my fingers heal from building it. LOL

It's certainly not perfect, but it's not a bad first guitar.

The top is Carpathian spruce; the back and sides are Peruvian Walnut. The binding, and bottom wedge are curly maple. I finished the guitar with shellac, with the exception of the neck and headplate. Since I have trouble with my hands, french polishing was out, so I leveled between coats, polishing in the end. However, since the neck finish can wear quickly and the headplate takes a beating with the strings, I put polyurethane on them. I finished the neck in a satin finish. The top is also finished in shellac, but I only polished it to 0000 steel wool, so it too would have a satin finish.

I'm already gathering the materials for my second build, a 00.

Very nice! I like the wood and your choice of binding. It's really striking. Best part is reading that the sound is commensurate with the looks! What's next now that this one is done?

Danl8 wrote:Very nice! I like the wood and your choice of binding. It's really striking. Best part is reading that the sound is commensurate with the looks! What's next now that this one is done?

LOL. Funny you should ask...

I'm going to build a 00. I already have the figured cherry back and sides and I'm pairing them with engelmann spruce. I've decided to do the entire guitar in wood, including the peghead inlay. I've drawn a preliminary drawing of cherry blossoms (since the guitar will have cherry) with a butterfly. I plan on doing the inlay entirely with wood marquetry. The fretboard will be katalax. Unless I can find a katalox bridge, the bridge will be rosewood. The binding will be either the pommel mahogany, or curly sapele, which I already have.

At least, that's the plan.

Nicely done! I hope my first build turns out that good.

Ed

mnmusic wrote:Nicely done! I hope my first build turns out that good.

Ed

Thank you Ed. I'm sure yours will be beautiful.

Nice work, beautiful instrument.

Sincerely,
Rich

happy for your. the rosette has very nice design touch.

Very nice guitar

Congratulations Diane. It turned out just beautiful. Looks like you have the bug! We will look forward to pics of your next one too.

Thank you everyone for your comments.