Official Luthiers Forum!
http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/

My J-44-1/2
http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=54486		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Brad Goodman [ Mon Oct 18, 2021 3:49 pm ]
Post subject:  My J-44-1/2
So I guess I’m on a satin/flat finish kick. I really like them.
This one is brushed varnish McCloskey’s Man O’ War spar varnish. Yup there’s a reason they call it that -it’s some tough stuff they use it on boats.
So the wood for this guitar is a beautiful set of Koa which was just barely thick enough to make guitar.
I paired that with some of Brent Coles of Alaska specialty woods ultralight Sitka spruce and also used some very light Sitka for the bracing. To help keep the weight down I used Spanish cedar for the neck with a Gibson style truss rod which I think is pretty much the lightest adjustable truss rod you’re gonna find.
It weighs in at 3.7 pounds which is pretty light for a guitar that size
Ziricote for the fretboard ,head veneers, bridge and binding.
25.4 inch scale
Stew Mac Waverley tuners with Koa buttons

Image

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Author:  Chris Pile [ Mon Oct 18, 2021 4:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My J-44-1/2
I like it. Keep up the good work.
Author:  SteveSmith [ Mon Oct 18, 2021 4:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My J-44-1/2
Nice, I like the purfling.
Author:  joshnothing [ Mon Oct 18, 2021 8:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My J-44-1/2
Beautiful work as usual!
Author:  Hesh [ Mon Oct 18, 2021 8:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My J-44-1/2
Very cool Brad you have a great design eye!
Author:  bcombs510 [ Tue Oct 19, 2021 9:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My J-44-1/2
Lovely. How is the varnish applied? Instructions say brushed. Did you choose the marine grade for the durability? I also noticed in the data sheet:

"Unlike polyurethane clear finishes which become brittle, crack and peel when used outdoors, this marine quality varnish remains flexible and absorbs the expanding and contracting seasonal movement of the wood."
Author:  Brad Goodman [ Tue Oct 19, 2021 1:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My J-44-1/2
bcombs510 wrote:
Lovely. How is the varnish applied? Instructions say brushed. Did you choose the marine grade for the durability? I also noticed in the data sheet:

"Unlike polyurethane clear finishes which become brittle, crack and peel when used outdoors, this marine quality varnish remains flexible and absorbs the expanding and contracting seasonal movement of the wood."

I have use this varnish before .
I apply it with a brush.
seems to work great I tried a few others also.
love the color gives great Amber
Definitely ages a lot better than nitro as far as checking and cracking


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Author:  Gasawdust [ Tue Oct 19, 2021 3:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My J-44-1/2
Brad wrote “So the wood for this guitar is a beautiful set of Koa which was just barely thick enough to make guitar.”

I’m in the same boat as I have 2 sets of koa that are rather thin. What did yours measure?

Tom
Author:  Brad Goodman [ Tue Oct 19, 2021 8:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My J-44-1/2
Gasawdust wrote:
Brad wrote “So the wood for this guitar is a beautiful set of Koa which was just barely thick enough to make guitar.”

I’m in the same boat as I have 2 sets of koa that are rather thin. What did yours measure?

Tom


The backs were around .100 before joining and cleaned up to .085 and the sides were about the same....
Author:  DanKirkland [ Tue Oct 19, 2021 10:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My J-44-1/2
Very cool! Hadn't thought of using ziricote for the bridge, how easy was it to work and carve? Might make a good substitue for rosewood when it isn't available.
Author:  jfmckenna [ Wed Oct 20, 2021 9:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My J-44-1/2
The colors all round are great on that one.
Author:  Brad Goodman [ Thu Oct 21, 2021 7:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My J-44-1/2
DanKirkland wrote:
Very cool! Hadn't thought of using ziricote for the bridge, how easy was it to work and carve? Might make a good substitue for rosewood when it isn't available.


Other than the fact that it gums up sandpaper-it works nicely.
Author:  SnowManSnow [ Thu Oct 21, 2021 7:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My J-44-1/2
Slick man


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC - 5 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/