Tupelo Mk II [done! + video]

[epizootics]

Talking of pickups...



All done, minus the potting. Asymmetrical, Alnico-2 loaded double slugs bucker. I wound it on the cool side (7.30k's worth of #42). The mid pickup uses a shortened Ceramic 8 bar magnet and has a low turn count (5.5k of #43). The neck pickup is a warm 6.10k, #42, with A5 magnets.

Now it just needs a few bits and bobs done on the body before the final sanding...

[epizootics]

And it's done...

17

I am still not a 100% sold on the looks - too much brown and black! - but it'll do for now. After two years or so I am glad to see that body finally put to rest. I might end up painting over the pickguard to add a bit of color. Sorry for the picture, there's no light to speak of in Lyon today

No neck dive, and the two-saddle bridge intonates just fine. Now, I can't be completely sure which element prevails here (short scale, pickups, no-truss-rod neck, bridge?) but the best way I can describe the sound is...old. It's very articulate, rich yet tight, in an old-fashioned way. Kinda Gretschy in some positions. I managed not to screw anything up in the wiring and everything works fine. The series-only mid pickup is really fun, it adds some extra bite/sizzle to the overall sound. I'll try to post some samples.

Now onto the next projects...I have four orders for 2020, two guitars and two basses. Thankfully christmas will be out of the way soon

[antisymmetric]

Nice. It must feel good to get it finally wrapped up (I'm trying to do the same with my Dano, it's been dragging) Got to say I'm intrigued by your "no truss rod" idea, and your description of the sound. It's all adding reinforcement to my wanting to try the same.

[Lamar Fandango]

So cool....

[Amon 7.L]

Awesome outcome, man.
The shape and the layout is very well put and original.
I don't see too much black and brown, I think the colours are actually balanced.
I'm actually thinking that some black detail on the headstock and sanding the humbucker pickup ring to a matte finish will make it pop even more

[Shadoweclipse13]

Sexy as hell! I love the black and wood look, and the middle and neck pickups slanted is epic!!

[Rgand]

That looks outstanding! I also like the black with that body. I tried to picture it with white or parchment but although different, I don't think it would be any better. It stands on its own as it is.

[solfege]

I like it. I'd like to see more angles of it, but I really like what I do see.

[epizootics]

Cheers guys! I'm off to Zagreb for a few days (escaping another French Christmas!) but I'll post more / better pictures when I'm back. Hopefully there will be a bit more sunshine then...

The neck remained straight after I strung it up, and after stretching the strings a wee bit it doesn't go out of tune. But after an afternoon of heavy vibrato use, the collet nut unscrewed itself (that's the second time this happens to me with a Japanese trem, I should have know better and given it a bit of loctite). It'll wait until I'm back...

[epizootics]

Better late than never...I finally got around to making a quick video of wee Tupelo. Phone video, so not too crisp. Plugged straight into my Peavey solid state. Too much reverb and too much trem use, sorry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N37rlM8cbq4

[Shadoweclipse13]

Wow!! That sounds lovely. "Old" is a good term for the sound, but in a really good, worn-in, well-loved instrument kind of way. VERY nice Epizootics!!

EDIT: There are a couple spots where it reminds me of the soundtrack to the US show The Adventures Of Pete & Pete. That is a very good thing to me

[Rgand]

Hey, sounds great! Very nice job on it.