Here we finally go. The unveiling of #1. The whole reason I started setting up shop in the first place and the first thing I've ever built with wood that didn't require nails or screws
. Seriously, until I started this my hands had never held a plane or wood chisel. Even though I put my name on the headstock, think of this as the guitar y'all built. Never could have done it without you guys!
Here's the scoop: Honduran mahogany, SITKA, BLUEGRASS DREAD! There, I said it and I'm not taking it back
! Built from scratch from the Stew Mac herringbone plan with a few deviations. Namely no popscicle brace (replaced with Proulx style neck bracing), a couple of minor liberties taken with bracing, drop-in through saddle (also stolen - I mean, borrowed - from Mario. Thanks! Oh, wait...hey Mario, can I borrow your saddle design? 
) now glued in after the bridge crack fiasco. I'll replace this soon. Bone nut and saddle, slotted and ramped MadRose belly bridge (and fingerboard), small maple bridge plate, oak bindings, nitro finish, HHG used throughout. Figgered if I was gonna learn this stuff, I may as well start out right then I won't have to relearn later!
Some more firsts for me:
1. First inlay
2. First bound fretboard (bound w/cutoff strips from the fretboard, unbound look but those ugly fret ends are covered up)
3. First mitered purfling
The good news is I made all my mistakes on this one, so the next one will have to be perfect!
I'll try to get better pictures later. I ran the batteries out in my camera trying to get some good ones under the size limit and have to let 'em recharge.
Oh, and how's it sound? Some seriously strong bass going on here. Loud and rumbly, but crystal clear. The trebles are already coming around pretty nicely, too, and becoming much more balanced the longer I play it. I can't wait to get some break-in time on this baby! She'll get her public unveiling Friday at a local bluegrass jam.
This has been a blast! Wish I could say I'm starting on #2, but we're buying another house, so guess what I'll be doing the next few weeks. First thing when I get settled is to start on a shop. #2 is gonna be a rosewood OM (I think)as a gift for a friend in GA I used to play in a band with doing a lot of local music ministries. He doesn't know about it yet.
) are actually shifted forward toward the end of the headstock to get a flat surface to attach.
