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This will be guitar #11. Commisioned by a friend as a gift for a friend. Total secret so that's all your getting

Again, my GA model based off the Gibson J-185.

Here's the back and sides




And the top



Got the top joined together and working on the back, it's fighting me a bit, but I'll win

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

oooh...nice looking top!

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Bobby Masten

Really interested in watching you on this one. I'm designing a guitar based on a J-185 myself. Person I'm making it for wants Mahogany b/s, and a Lutz top. Also wants the neck to join at the 12th. All new terrain for me so I hope you don't mind if I peek at your work from time to time.

Also loved the Celtic Guitar post, your not alone in battles like that one.

Keep inspiring,

Hey Jeremy, thanks for the comments about the Celtic guitar.

Interesting idea about the 12th fret join on a J-185. What scale are you planning with it? Just make sure you draw it all out so you get your bridge patch and x-brace located right. I'll be interested to see your build, I hope you'll document it here.

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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Some major updating is needed, mostly pictures, ask questions if you got any







Tiger Myrtle bindings



linings going in



Tasmanian blackwood neck, gluing the scarf joint for the 24 string model



Back braces being glued on



After the scarf joint was done, I ripped the neck in half to make a solid center laminate of red fibre and lacewood, which is what the top purfling is going to be.





Back done, ready to attach to the rims.



And onto the top. This is my version of a Jason Kostal Stained Glass rosette, just getting it glued into the channel. Still needs the b/r/b purflings.



That's it for now I'll update again or you can see all this on my facebook page (link in sig line)

Cheers

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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Awesome rosette, especially next to the redwood. What is it actually?

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Build log

Thanks Alex, the wood is pear burl dyed amber and red and some natural pieces, all glued together with 0.025" ebony between. Took a bit of time

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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Wow, that rosette is gorgeous, Rod!

Very nice, Bro...that rosette is primo...kudos!!!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Thanks my Friend!

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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Beautiful rosette still can't really understand how you get all the pieces to fit hmmm.

Looking real good Rod, looking forward to seeing the progress pictures as it advances.

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

That rosette is like church on a sunny day!

Alex

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

truly nice looking rosette. I love your true guitars stamp too.

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"Preoccupation with an effect gives it power and enhances the error"
from "Your Owner's Manual" by Burt Hotchkiss.

Thanks guys, I'm having a lot of fun with this one

Nick, that's actually a branding iron, burned into the spruce

OK, a few more update pictures.

cut the channels for the rosette purfling and gluing the inside in.



And the outside glued in.



I didn't show the picture but I glued up some lacewood with a 0.010" red fibre on each side and cut them for purflings. The Zootman made some with mahogany many years ago and called them Hog-O-Lam purflings, well these are my Lace-O-Lam purflings. As you can see they are nice and thin, right around 0.070" wide. I glued them up with titebond III like many other folks do when making purflings or bindings...



Here's the finished rosette, soundhole cut out and backed by the guitar back. A couple spit coats of shellac to help protect the top during further building. I'm going to tape a piece of poster board over it as well to also protect it.



And a close up of the rosette. I'm very pleased with how it turned out. Again I want to give credit to Jason Kostal, creator of the Stained Glass rosette and thanks for the A-OK to use it on my guitar.



Thanks for looking.

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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Fantastic Rosette! Enjoying seeing the progress.

Ed

Looks great, Rod. Nice to see the stamp right side up!

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Wow! I love that rosette!

I also really like the rosette -- in fact, I like it better than Jason's version. I also think it shows your character in that you gave him credit for the design. It is very difficult to truly do anything "new" in guitar building -- but obvious inspiration should always credit the originator - something I don't always see on this forum. Like the others, I am looking forward to seeing how this one turns out!!! Beautiful workmanship already!!!

Thank you Simon, humbling coming from you



Thank you Chris! Are you asking about the lacewood with the red purfling line on either side? I made those myself, they are going to be top purfling with the tigar myrtle bindings.

If talking about the tigar myrtle bindings, I got a stick of tigar myrtle from Tim Spittle from Australian Tonewood and cut the bindings myself.

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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Awesome job, Rod. Really lovely work. I have some beautiful sinker redwood waiting in the wings. If I can get it even halfway to your level of craftsmanship I'll be ecstatic.

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George :-)

Nice guitar,
and the rosette is beautiful!
I'm building an instrument out of Tas Blackwood.
It's a bear.
When the sides were wet for bending,
unbelievably beautiful!

Thanks Alan!

This is my second go round with Tas Blackwood, what are you finding "it's a bear" with? I've found it behaves very well under heat and bending, no splinters and apart from a bit of green staining (too much water...), which sands out just fine, I've found it very nice to work with.

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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Well, I was going to plane the back ,
with a low angle block plane,
really sharp,
with a very shallow cut,
and it really dug in badly.
Reminded me of beautiful but nasty grain koa I worked with once.
Better to sand it!

Hi Rod,
Man,you are getting pretty good at this!! I also like the rosette and with the red purfling,it's going
to be a very beautiful guitar. I can't wait to see her all finished.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755