J-45 - Build Number Five
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 3:08 pm
Recently completed the build of a J-45. Specifics include:
1. Top: Engleman Spruce (provided by KMG)
2. Sides & Back: Peruvian Walnut (Johnson's Lumber, Charlotte, Michigan) resawn, planed, and sanded.
3. Neck: Lightly figured Soft Maple w/Peruvian Walnut Center Strip (again, Johnson's Lumber, Charlotte, Michigan).
4. Binding: Black Plastic
5. Purfling & Rosette: Various BWB wood combinations
6. Fingerboard: Martin Long Scale, Ebony
7. Bridge: Martin, Ebony
8. Head Plate: Peruvian Walnut
9. Tuners: Grover Deluxe, Nickel
10. Finish: Behlen's Musical Instrument Lacquer, Top lightly toned with Behlen's Solar-Lux mixed with Lacquer.
Notes
I used standard Bracing Pattern for a J-45, but used a scalloping pattern more similar to a J-200. Braces are mostly 9/16" tall x 1/4" thick.
The Peruvian Walnut works nearly identical to Black Walnut, but is slightly more red-brown. It is a true Walnut and smells identical to Black Walnut when cutting. I did though find it to be more porous when compared to Black Walnut. This may have been the specific material I was working with.
Sound Quality is extremely impressive - very resonant with interesting over-tones. While not an expert by any means, the sound appears to fall somewhere between Mahogany and Rosewood.
1. Top: Engleman Spruce (provided by KMG)
2. Sides & Back: Peruvian Walnut (Johnson's Lumber, Charlotte, Michigan) resawn, planed, and sanded.
3. Neck: Lightly figured Soft Maple w/Peruvian Walnut Center Strip (again, Johnson's Lumber, Charlotte, Michigan).
4. Binding: Black Plastic
5. Purfling & Rosette: Various BWB wood combinations
6. Fingerboard: Martin Long Scale, Ebony
7. Bridge: Martin, Ebony
8. Head Plate: Peruvian Walnut
9. Tuners: Grover Deluxe, Nickel
10. Finish: Behlen's Musical Instrument Lacquer, Top lightly toned with Behlen's Solar-Lux mixed with Lacquer.
Notes
I used standard Bracing Pattern for a J-45, but used a scalloping pattern more similar to a J-200. Braces are mostly 9/16" tall x 1/4" thick.
The Peruvian Walnut works nearly identical to Black Walnut, but is slightly more red-brown. It is a true Walnut and smells identical to Black Walnut when cutting. I did though find it to be more porous when compared to Black Walnut. This may have been the specific material I was working with.
Sound Quality is extremely impressive - very resonant with interesting over-tones. While not an expert by any means, the sound appears to fall somewhere between Mahogany and Rosewood.
