Official Luthiers Forum!

My #6 (although #5 is waiting for frets to be done, as I like to build in 2's so far).

My tribute to the late 20's early 30's Gibson Nick Lucas Guitars is finally strung up! this is initial setup, so will let it sit for a week or so, then dial in the setup so she plays really nicely. I still need to check the initial fret work to make sure no buzzing etc, but so far looking good! Cuban Mahogany Back and Sides with hand rubbed subtle burst, Lutz spruce top with hand rubbed sunburst. Madagascar Rosewood Fingerboard, with Brazillian rosewood bridge (the wood color/grain is almost identical).

Action is high for now, as I just strung it up to pitch, and want it to settle in for a couple weeks, then I will dial in the setup. This was my first attempt at hand applied dyes direct to the woods. I think I got the effect I was after - would have liked the top not as dark, but overall pretty happy. French Polish top, Tru Oil rest.



Glenn

Burst looks great! What did you use for bindings?

Looks great! Love the hand rubbed look.

Very nice, my #2 is a Maple/lutz 13 fret Nick Lucas, my youngest daughter has claimed it and it gets played every day.

Thanks! For bindings I used White Plastic... I have only used wood bindings up to these last 2 guitars, and prefer working with the wood. I was going to use Holly, as I have some holly bindings, but decided to go with plastic. It was easy to scrape the bindings after the dyes were applied as well.

Glenn

Super nice Glenn!!!!! Ya done good!!!!!

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Ann Arbor Guitars

Looks good. I bet it will sound great.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Lovely work, Glenn. That's a beaut!

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George :-)

Yeah, easier to scrape than to mask...

Tasty!

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Glenn, that is a gorgeous guitar! And I love the burst. I have always been a fan of hand rubbed bursts but have thus far been too big a coward to try one myself. Would you be willing the describe your process and any tips you learned?

Dang, Glenn.... you did very well. I like it.... A LOT!

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Thanks Guys!

In preparation for the burst, i watched a number of youtube vids on hand rubbed finishes. But the biggest help was from Ed on this board, and on John Hall's forum, for recommending the rattle can shellac to seal in the dyes.

I was going to test on a number of pieces of spruce, and quickly realized each piece soaked up the dyes differently )heck, even on the same piece of spruce, it isn't consistent). SO i just went for it, and figured off I didn't like it, I would just cover with black . I used Stew Mac Trans tint dyes directly on the wood. i used water to mix thinking i would have more "open" time to mix the dyes. I used no red, as I like the old faded hand rubbed sunbursts on the old Gibson guitars. I used Amber, brown, Mahogany Brown and a few drops of black to darken the brown along the edges. To be honest, I just "played it by ear". once i had the sunburst how i wanted, I sprayed the zinser shellac on to seal. I found i had to be real careful because if i sprayed too much, the dyes would bleed. I didn't like the spray as it goes on blotchy, but put a few coats on, let it dry, and sanded back as much as I could without getting to the wood. From there, I French Polished as I always do.

For the back, sides, and neck, i used Acqua Coat for the first time given it played well with all finishes and water. I stained, sprayed shellac to seal dye, sanded, pore filled with Aqua Coat, shellac seal, Tru Oil.

Glenn

Top is not too dark for me. I love the burst - looks great!!!!

Have to say that that's the first burst I actually like. Don't know why. Just do.

Well done!

That looks amazing! I love the shape of that Lucas special too. Great patio and pool as well!

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

I think it looks fantastic. If she sounds good too then you got the best of both worlds.

That might be the nicest burst I've ever seen. Wow.

Thanks guys! Made my day .

I have been playing the guitar some, and really like how it sounds. First time using Cuban Mahogany, and has the overtones I would associate more with rosewood. I will do final setup in a week or so. Action is a bit high right now, but letting it settle in.

Glenn