Talk about modding or building your own guitar from scratch.
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Embenny
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by Embenny » Tue Jun 30, 2020 2:28 pm
hillerheilman wrote: ↑Thu Jun 11, 2020 10:22 pm
Thanks! I was honestly really hesitant about using purpleheart since I’m not that big a fan of purple. But I’m told it actually ages into more of a reddish brown over time. Not sure if it’ll do that with nitrocellulose on it, but between that and the brown stain we’re planning to use on the back I think I’ll be satisfied with the end results.
It really does fade to brown. Exposure to light and air are the key. The finish will more or less seal it to air, but not light, so it'll still gradually fade.
Here's a purpleheart board that sat exposed to air a while, vs a fresh cut:
This is a really cool project to see some together, much like your last one.
The artist formerly known as mbene085.
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hillerheilman
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by hillerheilman » Sat Jul 04, 2020 4:55 pm
mbene085 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 30, 2020 2:28 pm
hillerheilman wrote: ↑Thu Jun 11, 2020 10:22 pm
Thanks! I was honestly really hesitant about using purpleheart since I’m not that big a fan of purple. But I’m told it actually ages into more of a reddish brown over time. Not sure if it’ll do that with nitrocellulose on it, but between that and the brown stain we’re planning to use on the back I think I’ll be satisfied with the end results.
It really does fade to brown. Exposure to light and air are the key. The finish will more or less seal it to air, but not light, so it'll still gradually fade.
Here's a purpleheart board that sat exposed to air a while, vs a fresh cut:
This is a really cool project to see some together, much like your last one.
That’s really reassuring. I can definitely live with that kind of result. Thanks for sharing.
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hillerheilman
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by hillerheilman » Sat Jul 11, 2020 5:06 pm
So, more progress...
Ended up having to have a small strip of wood down the center of the top. Opted for purpleheart to match the small bit on the end of the fretboard.
Pickup routes are also done. The neck and middle are rear routed, and the idea (will show the mechanism when I can) was to have no screws whatsoever visible on the front of the guitar, so as to not obscure this beautiful top unnecessarily....
What do you guys think?
Loving how this is coming together
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BoringPostcards
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by BoringPostcards » Sat Jul 11, 2020 5:51 pm
It's looking really good. I really like that shape.
Beautiful pieces of wood. The neck looks tasty.
Det er mig der holder traeerne sammen.
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BoringPostcards
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by BoringPostcards » Sat Aug 08, 2020 4:13 pm
Is this a reverse offset or a lefty? Hard to tell.
Det er mig der holder traeerne sammen.
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hillerheilman
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by hillerheilman » Sat Aug 08, 2020 4:49 pm
BoringPostcards wrote: ↑Sat Aug 08, 2020 4:13 pm
Is this a reverse offset or a lefty? Hard to tell.
It’s a lefty. Although the design would probably work as a reverse offset as well
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hillerheilman
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by hillerheilman » Tue Aug 11, 2020 1:57 pm
More progress. The back control cover will end up being purpleheart. I’ve asked my luthier to make a back cover for the pickup routes that would continue the stripes. He very kindly obliged my request, and did a damn good job of it I would say.
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Amon 7.L
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by Amon 7.L » Wed Aug 12, 2020 1:33 am
Looking great!
Your luthier is a fine craftsman!
Keep it coming.
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hillerheilman
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by hillerheilman » Wed Aug 12, 2020 6:03 pm
So as we’re getting close to that point, I’m still not sure what color stain I should go with for the top and headstock.
Does anybody have any suggestions?
So far I’ve considered red and purple. I don’t think going with purple will be wise long term though, given that the stripes color can change over time but the top wouldn’t as much.
Last edited by
hillerheilman on Thu Aug 13, 2020 12:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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pad
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by pad » Thu Aug 13, 2020 1:49 am
Why do you want to hide that super awesome woodwork?
Looks like you shall do some kind of natural finish?
Or Purple back with natural pinstripe?
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Amon 7.L
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by Amon 7.L » Thu Aug 13, 2020 2:46 am
pad wrote: ↑Thu Aug 13, 2020 1:49 am
Why do you want to hide that super awesome woodwork?
Looks like you shall do some kind of natural finish?
Exactly.
If any, just an ever so light amber to pop up the center and a touch of light tobacco burst on the edge for emphasis.
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Embenny
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by Embenny » Thu Aug 13, 2020 11:09 am
+1. I'd keep it in the "natural wood tone" range. Anywhere from clear to amber to brown stain of whatever shade you like. There are so many strong natural wood tones going on that something like purple or red would look really jarring to me.
Of course, do whatever you like with your build, but there seems to be a clear aesthetic developing on its own, and I'd work with it rather than fighting it, personally.
The artist formerly known as mbene085.
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hillerheilman
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by hillerheilman » Thu Aug 13, 2020 12:27 pm
Hmm. I can see your point guys. Normally I’m not really a fan of “natural” guitars, but this one seems to have kinda naturally developed that way. When I originally had this idea I had intended to do a light/medium amber tint on the back, and then stain the top and headstock red. Almost like the Les Paul Clapton used.
Like this:
That’s kinda how I’ve visualized it thus far. But I’m starting to see the argument for a more natural finish. I’ll have to ask my luthier what he thinks.