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Shipped one of my Rhema Wordsong (Grand Auditorium) guitars to San Antonio today.
I designed the body shape to be a hybrid mix of the more modern Martin 14th fret OM (lower bout) and the older version of the Martin OOO 12th fret (upper bout). This one is mounted at the 13th fret. A few things about this design in my guitars are new, and are now my standard features for this model. (Including the headstock, the bridge, and the body shape of this model) Simple appointments with the exception of Vintage Kluson Deluxe tuning machines 18:1, and Zipflex in the Rosette with Blk fiber binding in the soundhole. Yet, still simple.

Finish, FP to semi gloss on Soundboard, everything else semi gloss varnish.
The B & S are Bolivian Rosewood (aka Morado)
Soundboard Master Grade Engelmann Spruce
Snakewood Bindings with Blk Fiber purfs on top and Wht Fiber on the B & S
Logo inlay is Olive-wood a friend brought back to me from Jerusalem
Moustache Bridge and fretboard are Ebony
7 Pc Neck Claro Walnut, Mahogany, Curly Maple, & Morado.

Here are a few pics.

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Bill Hodge


One does not simply, own enough guitars!

Looks great, Bill! When you do a two part finish like that, what do you do to transition it?

Mike

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Mike Lindstrom

Beautiful guitar. Very clean work. What size is your auditorium?

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Great looking guitar Bill

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Another day, another dollar.

Dear Lord but that is a beautiful guitar, I love the neck and headstock

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imagination is more important than knowledge, knowledge is limited, imagination encircles the world

Hi Bill,
What a great looking guitar
I really like the neck, the side profile, the transition between neck and head.
Evreything, really.
The owner is going to be really happy.



Top job.

Claire

Looks vert nice Bill I'm sure the owner will be real happy with it!

Very elegant Bill. I quite like the satin FP finish you achieved.
Maybe a newb question but what is the light coloured piece on the inside edge of the sound hole on the left side? Not familiar with anything like that.

Rick

Thanks for the kind words everyone. The new owner contacted me today and seems to be extremely happy with it, to put it conservatively.

Mike, not sure how others do it, but my personal technique is to finish the b&s first then do the final sanding/scraping on the soundboard also carefully rounding over the edges of the bindings, then just FP the top as normal. If I get shellac on the varnished sides, it wipes off quite easily with some Everclear on a pad. After the finish has cured out for about a week or so, I go over everything with micro-mesh beginning with 4000 grit. Then 6000, 8000, and 12000. Works well for me. For a more satin finish, some 0000 bronze wool and Renaissance Wax for lubricant works nicely.

Chris, these are the dimensions for my Wordsong model.

Body Length: 19-3/8”
Width at Upper Bout: 11”
Width at Waist: 8-3/4”
Width at Lower Bout: 14-3/4”
Sound Hole: 3-7/8”
Body Depth at Heel: 3-9/16”
Body Depth at Tail: 4-1/4”

Rick, that's the volume control for the LR Baggs Anthem pickup system I installed in this one.

Overall I'm extremely happy with this one. The varnish finish was a bit fussier than I particularly cared for, but I'd likely do it again. I do prefer lacquer, or French polish however.

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Bill Hodge


One does not simply, own enough guitars!

Wow, very striking. I love the laminated neck.

really, really beautiful guitar.
very professional photos too.

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