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Ok, after getting a lot of tips and information from this forum, I finally have the courage to show all of you some pictures of my second build Acoustic. My first build was a Stew Mac Dread kit, which turned out ok (= playable), but not all that pretty. This one, I believe, comes closer to what I was hoping for, certainly for someone who has never touched wood before in his life... let alone tried to work with it (I work in a suits every day ).

Ok, so this guitar is a "Free form" Dreadnaught model, with:

* Sitka Spruce tp
* Macassar Ebony back and sides
* Mahogony Neck (staind to match the back and sides)
* Macassar Ebony fingerboard and bridge
* Pau Abalone inlay
* White plastic binding and Pau Abalone purfling (and rosette)
* French polished







Had lots of "first timer" issues with this guitar (like the neck angle, inlay issues, setup, etc.) but this guitar really sounds amazing. I'll try to upload a soundclip later!

Thanks everyone for so willingly sharing information on building acoustic guitars; even someone that had no clue about working was able to get something decent made!

Thanks for posting.
This is a nice guitar and you can be proud of it

Looks great, how does she sound?

That's a stunning guitar! I love all the inlay work.
Congrats!!!

It's beautiful. Like to see a close up of the headstock. You have a lot to be proud of. :)

That is beautiful. Was this your first time doing inlay? Was this your first cutaway?
Brave and talented....I think I'm going to be sick.
Really it is a great looking guitar and I'll bet it sounds good too.

Great looking guitar!

If you can share any of your experience with French Polishing, I'd love to hear it, cause that's what I'm planning on doing with my guitar.

I'd love to see close-ups of the headstock too!

Nothing wrong with that guitar Obbe, and plenty that looks right!
Great job, and by the way, what is your name? And welcome to the forum.

Kevin

............and, I LOVE that wood.

Thanks to all for the kind words, realy appreciate it! Kevin my name is Obbe Knoop (am Dutch, but moved to the US about 9 years ago).

This was my first try at French Polishing and I must have redone it 10+ times. French polishing is awesome, but will need some practise (right mix of alcohol and Shellac, right circle technique, etc.) Luckely, if it's not perfect, you swab some alcohol over it, and it's all gone. Ready for the next try. As a newcomer to building guitars, I would definitely recommend starting with French polish over nitro sprayin. Much easier to learn and you can't really do anything wrong.

The inlay wasn't as hard as I expected it to be. As long as you plan ahead, have the right routers and can keep your patience, it's actualy very doable. I bought the inlay from Luthier supply dot com. Great guy to talk to and he's pretty helpfull with "newcomers".

The hardest part for me was (and still is) getting the right neck angle with the body of the guitar, so that the setup is nice and low all across the fret board and you don't have that hump at the 14th fret.... still haven't found a "neck setting for dummies" guide... ah well, I'll keep fiddling with it.

Again, thanks everyone for all the great replies! really appreciate it! I'll upload a soundclip in the next few days!