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Yesterday I started on my first commission build! It's for a friend of mine he is going to give it to his son when his son is old enough to play, he's only 2 right now.

It's going to be englemann over my best set of malaysian blackwood. Honduras mahogany neck, curly maple bindings an either ebony or African blackwood for the fretboard and bridge. Anyhow here is a little progress from the last two days

Back jointed and joined


Narra rosette with wbwb purfs inside and out


Sound hole!


Sides bent!

I like the wood. The narra...makes a nice rosette!

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http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

Thats one lucky two year old! And a Dread no less!

Looking great so far.

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http://Michaudmade.com

Nice!!!!!!
Mike

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Mike Collins

Thanks! I got the narra in a pack of rosette squares from Bob at RC tonewood. It was my favorite of the pack. It really has some nice figure in it.

Yeah it's a lucky 2 year old. I don't think it will fit him for a loonnnnnggggg time. I think that was part of the plan so dad gets to enjoy it for a few years.

Riiiiight....give it to his son.
I bet he gets his son into football instead once he sees the finished product

Love that blackwood!

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

I have also been eyeballing the recent sets of Malaysian blackwood sets over at Gilmer of late and can hardly resist pressing the buy button. If I didn't already have a couple sets waiting to be used, that is if I finish my first, then I would no doubt make this my next build. I really like the coloring in the Malaysian stuff and the black lines have a bit of a Ziricote/BRW feel to them. The wood really has a very appealing look to it that I can hardly resist. As for tonal qualities I really have no clue where it lands.

I will def be watching this build, is a guitar I would love to own myself.

Congrats Zeke! It certainly is a mile marker on the instrument building road to get your first commission. Looking great so far. Hope it goes smooth.

Cheers,
Danny

Good for you, Zeke! You certainly don't sit around waiting for the grass to grow between your toes! I'm looking forward to seeing it come together.

Alex

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

Congratulations, Zeke!

well alex, according to Einstein the faster an object travels through space, the slower it passes through time. So I try to keep moving, it's what keeps me young hahaha

This isn't the same Einstein that was on Welcome Back Kotter, is it? I didn't think he was that bright.

Alex

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

Hi Zeke,
Just wanted to mention that if this is a Malaysian Blackwood set from Gilmer Wood -- then I would wait about two months minimum before building with the set. Malaysian Blackwood is an Ebony and can take a while to dry. The sets I received from Gilmer Wood were still fairly wet when I received them a couple months ago and I know that I would want at least a bit more time for them to fully dry.

Very nice job! I'm subscribing to the thread, so keep the updates and pictures coming

Simon,

This is a set from Gilmer. I've had it on the shelf stickered for at least 6 weeks. I was under the impression that would be plenty of time for it to dry and acclimate. Should I stop building on this for a few weeks and give it more time? I've already bent the sides and have kerfing in one side

I also have already put the back braces on but I can take them off if I need to

I sure hope I didn't mess up and use this too early. It seemed dry to me, but I dunno.

I've heard anywhere from many months to several years as the answer to "how long should wood sit seasoning in the shop". I don't fully understand why it would have to sit for many months or longer, because the wood we're using is so thin, it must acclimate very quickly if stickered. But then the weight of things I don't know or understand about lutherie is very great, so it will be interesting to see if some of the experienced builders comment on this.

Congrats Zeke. The first commission is a great milestone. If you are anything like I was with my first, you'll fuss & worry over every step!
I just bought some similar Blackwood from Gilmer. Beautiful stuff. It feels & taps about the same as the Mun ebony I have in my stash.
I have built one guitar with the Mun & it is probably the best sounding one yet. I'm looking forward to trying out the Blackwood in October, after my summer work gig is finished.

Someone gave me a calculation based on the thickness of the wood and how long it should be stickered in the shop one time and I figured up that 1/8" thick pieces wouldn't need any more than a month. I don't remember the calculation or who told me but I figured I was good. There is still plenty I have to learn.

Thanks for all the kind words everyone. I'm very excited for this being a commission but yes I'm very worried and though I seem to be progressing pretty fast I'm paying very close attention to every detail.

I really love the look of this wood and I can't wait to hear it. It's got a nice subtle curl that will really make this wood look fantastic under finish. I really wish I could keep this one for myself!

Hi Zeke,
You will probably be fine -- but it is such incredible tonewood that I would make sure to minimize any chance of it breaking. I actually wouldn't build with my Gilmer sets for close to a year but that is because my work is relatively pricey and I want to completely eliminate any chance of a defect appearing. Ideally, with wet wood even though it might be thin -- I would still give yourself about 4 months for your future work.

Since you've already started building - here is what I suggest:


I would weigh the back and set it aside for two weeks. Weight it periodically and make sure the weight isn't decreasing. The sides should be fine. In the meantime, you can go ahead and finish your top and begin work on your neck.

Thanks Simon. I'll do that. From now on all wood will sit for 4 months. I'll get the top bracing finished up and have the neck ready or when the 2 weeks is up. I really appreciate the information. Wish I woulda known before I started on this though. Hopefully all will be fine

Over a month in a heated humidity controlled enviornment should be ok. I wouldn't hesitate to continue on with the build, but letting it be for a bit while you finish up other aspects of the build is certainly a good idea.

Alrighty folks. Got the soundboard mostly braced. I still need to put the bridge plate on. But how does it look?

Thoughts?
Questions?
Opinions?
Trying to go a little lighter seeing that I've been informed my challenge built is a bit over braced.

Also would machinga do ok for the bridge plate? Of not what are goo materials for it? I don't have any EIR scraps big enough anymore.

Hey Zeke;
Just a picky note for future builds... I like to leave about 3/8" between the soundhole braces & the edge of the hole. About half of my guitars are eventually fitted with pickups that have soundhole controls & that close a brace will complicate the installation. Otherwise, looks great. Be sure to cap that X brace intersection, though.
You're well on the way!
Cheers. Dan

Hi Zeke,

The size of your braces looks much more reasonable than the challenge build. I hate to say it, but you would do well to chisel off the x braces and re-do them. You don't want to scallop the braces above the intersection as this is where you need the most strength. The joint of those braces should be a snug fit, it looks like the one cut could be off a few degrees, and as Dan says, don't forget to cap the intersection. Use a piece of maple for the bridge plate.

Steve