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Well I did my bindings this weekend.

Soundboard is bound with Brazilian made from side cut ofs, Heartood on the top blends from color to a creamy white and the bottoms are all heartwood.

Used same rose pearl purfling to match soundhold. Thinner than most stuff.









Still have some scraping and sanding left but the box is almost done and ready to move my focus to the neck.

Absolutely gorgeous and winner Rich, this one will be one mighty powerful axe bro!

Tastefully executed, Rich!
Not too flashy.

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Give me 50 cents worth of regular.
Check my oil too, if you don`t mind,,,

Rich that's one tastey beauty I'd love to see and play when it is done! Ya gotta bring that one down to ASIA if you can.

BTW: How is that maple dread of yours sounding these days? I sure loved the sound of that one!

Wow, thats a perfect combination! Where did the brazilian come from, its beautiful.

WOW That sure is purdy Rich!
Nice job!

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Mmmm-mmmm! You can almost taste that!
That's my favorite stage of construction, right there.
Very nice looking, Rich!

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Great looking work. I love natural wood bindings.Greg39055.5004513889

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Greg
http://garibaldiinstruments.com/

Rich that looks fantastic! You're coming along very well!!!

I'll second Anthony's query? How does that awesome maple dread sound???

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

Very elegant....

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Wow that is going to be a stunning Geeetar....actually already is!!!

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

   Amazing looking geetar! - Im sure it will sound great too! Id love to hear a soundclip if possible.
Cheers
charliewood

[QUOTE=Anthony Z] Rich that's one tastey beauty I'd love to see and play when it is done! Ya gotta bring that one down to ASIA if you can.

BTW: How is that maple dread of yours sounding these days? I sure loved the sound of that one![/QUOTE]

Funny thing about that Maple dread - it went from being a dog (in my mind) to being the guitar I have been playing every day now. I put a set of mediums on it and adjusted a little and the volume and tone have come alive!!!! Maybe it was the strings, maybe it is just breaking in or maybe when you touched it in Ft Erie some magic dust stuck - whatever it is I wouldnt part with it now. - i.e. until I get this Brazilian done!!

[QUOTE=af_one] Wow, thats a perfect combination! Where did the brazilian come from, its beautiful.[/QUOTE]

I picked up the B/S set on eBay some time ago.

Thanks everyone for your kind remarks. Still working through some flaws. Funny things happen - I fit all the bindings dry and they fit perfectly with the miters being the best I have ever done - and then once the glue was applied and they glued up, they came up short almost 1/16" at the neck heel area. I figure that little extra glue did it to me, and while I used some watered down tightbond for the purflings I used straight titebond for the binding. Not a big deal and will probably be hidden by the heel but interesting.

I am now trying to figure out what to do with the headstock - bind it or leave her plain?? Will post some pics later today and get your thoughts.

Thanks again - really appreciate the feedback.

Great combo, looks awesome

Mike

MAn that is a beauty!! Great job!!

Some of the prettiest BRZ RW I have seen. Great job on the purfling as well. I think the shell looks great. That thing should be a beast.

Homeboy

[QUOTE=rich altieri]
I am now trying to figure out what to do with the headstock - bind it or leave her plain?? Will post some pics later today and get your thoughts.

[/QUOTE]

Rich, without even seeing the pics, I already vote for a bound head. Especially if you are using binding on the f/b. To my eye, it looks more elegant, more finished. And on a Brazilian box, you don't need to pull any punches. (Especially since you've put some shell on the top.) You can still keep your theme going, be understated, and thus tie all elements together.

There's a couple of pennies for ya,

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Thanks Steve

I will post some pics of the fretboard to this point. Need some advise on how to approach the headstock. I bound the fretboard with same heartwood cutoffs from the sides and with the BWB purfling on the bottom to pick up the theme of the sides.

For the headstock I was thinking of like 1/8" heartwood and same BWB purfling but not sure how to route the edges. Assuming the stew mac edge guide will work.

The neck was a rough cut Guild neck I picked up on ebay and it has a pretty elaborate crown if you know what I mean. I am thinking of cutting the crown off and just making the top of the head a curved design. This will make the binding much easier also.

Need some advise on how to approach the headstock.

I agree with Steve -- a bound headstock would really finish this guitar nicely.

Rich, what are you using to cut the purfling/binding ledge on your bodies?

I use the LMI Binding Cutter/Bearing Kit for my bodies and headstocks. On the headstock I simply route the ledge with the bit chucked in a laminate trimmer. Some folks will use this bit with a router table.

Thanks Anthony - in fact I took Steve's advice and just finished it up. Will post shortly. My first and I am excited - it really added to the head stock and overall appointments.

For the purfling cutting. I bought this neat litte minature table saw some time ago - very small, from Harbor Freight. I thinckness the bindings to what I want, trued up one edge (before thicknessing) and then simply run them through this little saw. Then I made a little glue up jig for adding the purfling. Just a long board with a rabbit edge. Used some clear plastic shipping tape to keep from sticking to the board and clamp the binding to the purfling. Then I scrape off the excess glue and bend them all at one time. Pretty good results for an amateur like me.

Here are some pics of the fretboard and headstock. The neck is still a little rough and needs final shaping and sanding.









The neck is a Guild blank purchased on ebay. Good deal at $35. I trimmed the headstock as I didnt like the look of the Guild crown for a 000. Dovetail joint. Replaced the headstock veneer with some Brazilian and then did the shaping with files. The neck comes rough cut so still good amount of work, but truss rod was included and all installed.

I see this person selling more of these on eBay and prices have run from $35 - $75. She mentioned that she had 100 left a few weeks ago. Good buy and great quality Mahogany for anyone that needs a neck

Awesome Rich, just awesome work buddy!

Wow, Rich. This looks superb and your progress is steady and stunning.

Like Anthony, I'm looking forward to seeing this one at ASIA.

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

Nicely done Rich!