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I thought so...that don't look like no Shane top I ever seen!

I like this top because it rings like glass, has great claw and interesting coloring. Every factory guitar has a uniformly colored top so why not go nuts with your custom guitar?

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http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

It's actually a cool looking top, Tony. I was just razzin' ya. That's gonna be a sweet looking guitar!

I figured as much Charlie! No worries.

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http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

I made a guitar once with perfectly white wood, all even-colored and boring......never again!
Well, maybe again, if that's what the custy wants.
People seem to respond well to "colored" wood, they say it has "character" or something.

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Old growth, shmold growth!

Lutz is nice. I think I have three tops from Shane still hidding in the closet. Might drag one out for the next build

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Well it looks as though I have this one almost finished. Here is a teaser pic for you all before I do the final buff and take the glamour shots. The whole guitar is covered in a fine layer of bone dust, but the bridge in particular is very dull locking because of the bone dust that got on it when I was compensating the saddle. Even though these pics might make some people think I make half assed guitars because it is not, I repeat NOT actually finished, I am still going to post the pics. Here they are:
The bridge looks huge to me in these pics, but it is just about the same foot print as a Martin belly bridge. I think the lack of pins has something to do with why it looks so big.


The bridge:


So far, so good with the bridge. Once I get it all rubbed out and do the final set up, I will take pics with the good camera and get some close ups of the worm holes I left in the sides.
Thanks for looking!

Tony

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http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

You are such a tease....
LOVE it! How'd you figure out measurements for the cavity in the pinless bridge? What is the angle from saddle to the string holes?
Can't wait to see the final pictures!

Really nice guitar Tony

You are right, that fingerboard does look great. Nice pinless bridge

Looks like someone's already been playing it. Sound nice? (probably take a few weeks to sound great)

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Hey Tony, what tree is this top made from? I'm going to see is if Mario has any left.

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Old growth, shmold growth!

Thanks everyone! GW it's 70203.
More details later. Need to get ready for work.

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http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

Alright. I have some time to write.
Beth, I didnt want the bridge to be too much, if any, bigger than a Martin bridge. This bridge is almost the same footprint as a Martin bridge. I drilled the holes for the strings so they would be about 1/8th inch from the bottom of the bridge. With the countersinks, there is about 1/16th from the soundboard to the countersink. I probably could have made them deeper so the ball ends dont show, but I did not.
I made the part before the ramp as big as I could, about .300" wide. I probably could have made it a bit smaller. I just saw one of Chris Ensor's guitars online and he uses a pinless bridge. Wish I would have seen that before I made mine so I could have asked him for advice.
The holes the string pass through go straight from the back towards the front of the bridge. I then simply cut a slot like a saddle slot, to access the strings. I ramped it up towards the saddle on an angle that looked good to me. No measurements.
The entire bridge was designed on the fly because that's how I like to do things. I think the idea through for a day or two, then just start cutting. I am pleased with this bridge, but it could be better. Next time. Maybe. I think I will put a small piece of clear plastic behind the bridge to prevent scratches when changing strings, but maybe not.
So to answer your questions Beth, I don't know the angle, and I just winged it with the size of the cavity. Not very helpful, am I? I could try to measure for you if you like. Let me know.

Joe,
I have played it and it does sound very nice. I am very happy with it. I have been putting side ports in my guitars but this one doesnt have one so it doesnt sound as loud to me as my personal guitar. I have to get someone else to play it so I can hear it better. A port would have been great in this guitar in my opinion, but the future owner didn't want one. He plays gigs and thought it might cause feedback issues on stage. I don't know if it would or not, so I left it out.
I will make a video of this at some point. I stink at playing so I might hit my neighbors up to play it for a video or audio clip. They are pretty good but play the wrong type of music for this guitar, but I am sure they will make an exception. Here are my next door neighbors in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmDbC-LKFzw
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FmDbC-LKFzw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

GW,
Not sure if Mario has more of this top, but I do...... I have one sister set for sure, but I ain't selling it!
Thanks for the positive comments. They are most appreciated!!

Tony

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http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

Tell you what, I'll give you 1 million dollars for the sister set. I know it's only about half what you would make on the soundboard in a guitar you build, but you won't have to work the material..........

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Old growth, shmold growth!

Thats a sharp looking guitar.

I'll bet I have the sister set, actually have quite a bit of #70203 got this billet really cheap

SOLD!! I will pm you my PayPal address!
I will ignore your sarcastic comment about the prices of my guitars.

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http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

That looks fantastic, Tony!

Thanks Charlie!

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http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

I can't afford the sister set, but do you have any 3rd. cousins kicking around? That top does look great. I agree that character tops can be very visually appealing.

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Thanks Alex! I do like my tops colorful!

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http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

Looking good Tony!!

I think I have some of tree 70203 from a few years back in my stash somewhere.
I didn't know it looked THAT good!!! I'll have to dig it out.....

Cheers,
Dave F.

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Cambrian Guitars

"There goes Mister Tic-Tac out the back with some bric-brac from the knick-knack rack"