Official Luthiers Forum!

Well not really, I finished this one up about a month ago. As I was perusuing the electric board here, and wondering were all the builds were at, I thought "Hey dumbass, if you don't post yours, you're part of the problem.
So here it is. A mish mash of Mahogany, Zebrawood, Curly Koa, Flamed Maple, Aspen, Purple Heart and a CocoBolo fret board. I wired it Tele style using CTS pots and an orange drop cap directing a pair of GFS hummers, The strings end at a Schaller roller bridge and drop in stop tail piece. Finish is satin Minwax wipe on poly except the headplate which was done in nitro to bury the water transfer logo.

Beautiful job there, Steven Wheeler!
That zebra wood picture is radical grain.
Congrats!

That sure is nice guitar! This zebra top looks cool. Great color choice for the bindings, too.
I like the idea of the thickness laminates at the neck joint, and you cut-away is a killer (I'm sure you could litteraly kill with it!)

...But I'm not sure for the purpleheart backhead. Too many different woods around the headstock, according to me. It's contrasting the sobriety of the body. I'd put zebra as headstock veneer, personnaly. But that's all a matter of taste!

My 2 cents!
Francis

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Francis Richer, Montréal
Les Guitares F&M Guitars

I know exactly what you mean Francis, but lately I've developed a habit of putting something striking on the back of the headstock. Repeating those veneers at the neck joint was a save from a too deep neck pocket. I rather like the look and will keep it as a design element on future versions of this model.

Steve

That's what I thought. Sometimes mistakes are just creative!

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Francis Richer, Montréal
Les Guitares F&M Guitars

that is cool...

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Ken

That's lovely! To me, although there's a lot going on wood wise, there's a real elegance to it. I especially like the satin finish. Fit and finish are excellent. I think it's beautiful! Great job!

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Thank you for the kind words guys,

I saw that piece of Zebra in the hardwood store Alan, and I knew instantly what to do with it.

With my acoustics, I tend to be a less is more kind of guy. These electrics seem to get me rifling through the woodpile for something else to add.

Steve

Outstanding! looks great keep up the good work. I do like the the different woods on the neck, very cool.

A lot of great things going on Steven. Really like the edge treatment. What bit/s did you use for that if you don't mind me asking?

Thank you Darrel,

I think you're asking about the router bit to cut the binding channel. I finally broke down and spent the money on the Stew-Mac binding bit set and couldn't be happier. Just remember to put the bearings in a pile of sawdust when you first get them and then run them on a few feet of scrap to clear the extra grease off before using them on your project. Those bearing come very well lubricated.

Steve

Sorry that I wasn't clear Steven. I meant what looks like the recurve part. Did you do that by hand or use a router bit? I will say that the binding does look great however

Hey Mark,

It was meeting you and some other guys at John Watkins shop a year and a half ago that got me interested in building electrics. After a bunch of prodding from a friend, I decided to give it a go.

Darrel,

That is a giant ogee bit. The step at the outside of the cut (towards the center of the guitar) is removed when I carve the 1/4" dome that is centered at the bridge.

Steve

Very nice, Steven! Glad you posted the pix!

Ken

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http://www.casperguitar.com