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Author:  Kelby [ Wed Jul 27, 2005 12:39 pm ]
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Here it is. I'm still a relative beginner, but I'm overall happy with this one. This was my first try at any inlay beyond dot fret position markers. I still have a lot of room for improvement, but I would actually feel good about selling this one. (Now, if I could only find a buyer . . . .)

Englemann spruce top
Cocobolo back & sides
Cocobolo bridge
Ebony fretboard
Ebony binding, with plastic b/w/b/w purfling
Paua abalone rosette, surrounded by plastic b/w and a funky b/w/w/b inner ring that I won't do again
Fishman acoustic natural pickup

It sounds great.







Kelby38560.902662037
Author:  LanceK [ Wed Jul 27, 2005 1:12 pm ]
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I like the inner ring! Nice clean work Kelby!
Author:  FrankC [ Wed Jul 27, 2005 1:30 pm ]
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Looks good...why would you never try the inner ring again?
Author:  Kelby [ Wed Jul 27, 2005 1:32 pm ]
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Thanks for the kind words, guys.

Frank, I like having an inner ring, I just won't do it again with the white twice as thick as the black.
Author:  Roy O [ Wed Jul 27, 2005 2:18 pm ]
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Nice guitar. How about some closer shots of the fingerboard inlay? I like the inner ring too.
Author:  Mhudson [ Wed Jul 27, 2005 2:38 pm ]
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beautiful job. I also like the inlay work
Author:  CarltonM [ Wed Jul 27, 2005 2:57 pm ]
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Kelby,

Your overall design looks quite nice, but I'll have to agree with you about the inner ring. It looks intriguing at first, but on closer examination it seems a little off balance. It was mighty gutsy to move from fingerboard dots directly to vines and flowers--nice job!
Author:  Brock Poling [ Wed Jul 27, 2005 2:58 pm ]
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Nice... what number is that for you?
Author:  Jeff Doty [ Wed Jul 27, 2005 3:23 pm ]
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Kelby,

That is darn nice! I like the inner ring, even with the extra wide white. Great looking inlay on the fretboard. Ebony bindings look great, and is that a 5 piece neck? Beautiful, is it a keeper or a commission?

Jeff
Author:  Kelby [ Wed Jul 27, 2005 3:45 pm ]
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Thanks, everybody.

Brock, I've made a total of five acoustics. The first two were archtop disasters that no longer exist. Then a stew-mac kit, which restored my confidence. (I consider that one to be my first acoustic guitar; the two archtops were just "practicing on expensive wood.") Then two more, of which this is the most recent.

Jeff, it's not a commission. I haven't decided whether to keep it or sell it. It's my favorite one to date, but at some point I have to stop keeping my favorites, because my house only holds so many guitars!

Roy, here's some more photos of the inlay. Craig Lavin has nothing to fear in competition from me, but I really enjoyed doing this. (I'm not sure I would enjoy it as much a second time, but everybody ought to try it at least once!)

Thanks again to everyone for looking.



Author:  BruceH [ Wed Jul 27, 2005 9:58 pm ]
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Looks great! What is the finish?
Author:  Dennis Leahy [ Wed Jul 27, 2005 10:33 pm ]
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Nice job! And, that inlay looks like it took a looooooong time.

That Cocobolo will just keep getting prettier as time goes by.

Dennis
Author:  Brian Hawkins [ Wed Jul 27, 2005 10:58 pm ]
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Wow!! Very nice kelby!!!
Author:  Don Williams [ Wed Jul 27, 2005 11:23 pm ]
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I really like it!
Much better inlay than what I could do for sure!
Author:  Dave Rector [ Wed Jul 27, 2005 11:36 pm ]
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Very nice! The cocobolo looks great and your vine inlay also looks very nice! Congrats Kelby, that is a very nice looking guitar.

How does it sound?
Author:  Dave Anderson [ Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:34 am ]
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Beautiful Kelby, Great job on the inlay and I like the ebony binding too. This is only your 5th guitar? Just think how nice the 10th will be!! Nice Work
Author:  L. Presnall [ Thu Jul 28, 2005 1:25 am ]
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Let me just say, " ".
Author:  Jim Watts [ Thu Jul 28, 2005 1:52 am ]
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I,ve got to agree with everyone elese, just excellent!
Author:  Kelby [ Thu Jul 28, 2005 3:03 am ]
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Thanks, guys.

Bruce, the finish is nitro, with a shellac sealer underneath. I have a little HVLP gun that I have been really happy with.

Dave, I love the sound. My other builds have always been either a little too boomy or a little too bright (kind of like EIR and mahogany Martin dreads). This is perfectly in the middle. I'm very happy with the sound.
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Thu Jul 28, 2005 4:02 am ]
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[QUOTE=Kelby]
It sounds great.
[/QUOTE]

It looks great, too, Kelby. I love Cocobolo, and the vine is quite well executed. Your own design?

Steve
Author:  crazymanmichael [ Thu Jul 28, 2005 9:29 am ]
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kelby, if it sounds half as nice as it looks you've got a winner.

is the inlay your own design? rather neatly combines the traditional feel with a more modern approach that is not unlike the work of someone we see here from time to time.

have you tested the market yet? it appears it may be time for you to do so!!!
Author:  Kelby [ Thu Jul 28, 2005 11:07 am ]
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Michael and Steve,

Thanks! The inlay is my own design. It took a lllooong time to design. Mostly because I spent a couple dozen hours flipping through birds-and-bugs-and-flowers books at the library and bookstore trying to get a sense of what birds and flowers really look like. Then, I had to make sure I made my birds and bugs and flowers looked sufficiently different than what I saw in the books to make sure I wasn't copying someone else's material. It was very enjoyable, though, so I can't complain.

Michael, in terms of testing the market, I may do that. I guess I'm not exactly sure of the best way to begin doing that. I'll probably start just telling people that I'm doing it and get out word-of-mouth. I may stop by some local guitar stores as well to see if there's any interest. Any other suggestions would be most welcome!
Author:  CarltonM [ Thu Jul 28, 2005 11:20 am ]
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Kelby,

Put it in the hands of as many good players as you can, and ask them what they DON'T like about it. Both friends and strangers. You'll learn a lot that way. Don't try to sell it to them. Don't give it free of charge to any player who says he'll give you "promotional" value. People value something more if they have to work for it. When someone really, really, really wants to buy it, you're on your way! Good luck!
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