Greetings from California

[kjermstad]

Great advice BlindBo! I am most concerned with the neck setting, getting a good sounding and nice playing instrument is much higher on my priority list than a pretty one. That said I have done some binding and nitro finishes on electrics before and think they turn out good enough for my likings!

JLT I’m in Camino or commonly referred to as Apple Hill, just about a half hour east on US50 from Sacramento. I really appreciate your offer for help. I ended up deciding to start with a couple Blues Creek dred kits and not get into side bending and thickness sanding yet.

[BlindBo]

There is plenty to learn with one of the body build kits. The draw back is that they make a pretty “Plain Jane” guitar which may not be the style you want to build as an heirloom to a grandchild. My first kit was a SM 000-28/12 fret with Inidan Rosewood and a treated Sitka top. It made a beautiful instrument but there were so many mistakes due to limited experience that it sits in a case in the garage and will someday be the urn for my ashes.

Here’s another thought. John is incredibly innovative and also flexible. You might want to approach him about duplicating a SM “Body Build” kit for you. The pluses are that you can spec the materials to your tastes, get an easy step into building and you can rest assured John will support you. The only downside I see is that it may cost you a little more than the SM kit, but, I can guarantee you, you will get a much nicer guitar from it.
I have no way of knowing if John has any interest in this sort of a deal, that’s up to your “salesmanship”!😂
Good luck,
BlindBo

[JLT]

JLT I’m in Camino or commonly referred to as Apple Hill, just about a half hour east on US50 from Sacramento. I really appreciate your offer for help. I ended up deciding to start with a couple Blues Creek dred kits and not get into side bending and thickness sanding yet.

That's a good plan. It will give you a good taste for lutherie. Just let me know if you need anything of tools and such. My email is jlatorre@dragonwing.biz.

You're not far at all. Do you get into Sacramento much? I might add that we have a great resource in this area in the presence of Arnie Gamble, a luthier who has been immensely helpful in my own progress.

https://arniegamble.com/wp/

[JLT]

JLT I’m in Camino or commonly referred to as Apple Hill, just about a half hour east on US50 from Sacramento. I really appreciate your offer for help. I ended up deciding to start with a couple Blues Creek dred kits and not get into side bending and thickness sanding yet.

That's a good plan. It will give you a good taste for lutherie. Just let me know if you need anything of tools and such. My email is jlatorre@dragonwing.biz.

You're not far at all. Do you get into Sacramento much? I might add that we have a great resource in this area in the presence of Arnie Gamble, a luthier who has been immensely helpful in my own progress.

https://arniegamble.com/wp/

[JLT]

JLT I’m in Camino or commonly referred to as Apple Hill, just about a half hour east on US50 from Sacramento. I really appreciate your offer for help. I ended up deciding to start with a couple Blues Creek dred kits and not get into side bending and thickness sanding yet.

That's a good plan. It will give you a good taste for lutherie. Just let me know if you need anything of tools and such. My email is jlatorre@dragonwing.biz.

You're not far at all. Do you get into Sacramento much? I might add that we have a great resource in this area in the presence of Arnie Gamble, a luthier who has been immensely helpful in my own progress.

[Kevin Sjostrand]

Kjer

I used to live in Modesto in the 1980' and would drive up to Apple Hill every fall apple season. We just loved it and fir years would bring home bushels of many varieties.

We have some dear friends living in Placerville.
Haven't been up there in many years. Do they still do the apple festival?

Kevin

[kjermstad]

Kevin,

It sure is a small world isn’t it!

Yes Apple Hill festivities are still going strong, and the season just started. I live on an orchard and have been saving apple tree burls. I’m thinking they might make cool headstock veneers, maybe even bridges.

[rcnewcomb]

I live on an orchard and have been saving apple tree burls. I’m thinking they might make cool headstock veneers

Great use of local resources!