Tasmanian Blackwood / Sitka 00-12 Fret

[Mark G]

Hello all,

I regularly look around at what is on this forum and always get inspiration from the different things people are doing. I also learn a lot from reading the various opinions and topics. I thought it was time to share some of my own builds - perhaps they'll be of interest/inspiration or at least something else to look at.

This guitar is one I built for myself. A no holes barred project where I just got exactly what I wanted to make it really special. Gerard Gilet once said to me that the cheapest part of a guitar is the wood - the expense is in the time/labour. I've done lots of guitars where I scrimped on bits only to be not quite satisfied at the end of the project and this guitar wasn't going to another one of those. I saved up for this one. It has the prettiest piece of blackwood I could find, a AAA sitka top with some nice bearclaw in it. The neck is flamed Brazillian mahogany - beautiful but a real bugger to work with-scared me when I chipped bits out but it came together in the end. Fretboard is ebony with 2mm paua dot inlays. Rosette is simple paua and blackwood. Binding is all maple with a bwb edge. I wanted the wood to be the hero so the guitar is in my opinion restrained in embelishment. I made a 00 because I didn't have one, they look great, I like a bit of fingerpicking blues so it seemed like a good idea.

Does it sound any good - yep. It's a cracker as one musician put it. Others have said they'd give their left ... for it - not my choice of words by you get the meaning. Hope you like it - I have more photos but didn't want to overdo it on my first try.

[GregL]

Hi Mark,

That's a beaut!
I, for one, would love to see more pics! Especially close-ups of details - like the flamed mahogany neck! Do you have any build pics?

Thanks,
GregL.

[DarwinStrings]

Nice work Mark, great collection of wood. Careful those westies don't get too jealous. bridge material? finish? tuners?

Jim

[Mark G]

Hello there,

Thanks for the positive feedback. I'll search out some build photos and perhaps post a little later.

In answer to your question Jim. The bridge is rosewood that I ebononised- hand carved. The finish is Durobond 851 guitar lacquer- nitrocellulose over a nitro sanding sealer. Tuners are Schaller but I don't recall the precise model number- ordered them through Stewmac along with the bridge pins and end pin. The majority of the wood came from Gerard Gilet's shop in Botany. Inlay material is all from Melbourne - Australian Mother of Pearl Supplies.

[H3ytm@n]

Very nice indeed!!

[Bob Connor]

Very stylish instrument Mark and one of my favourite models.

Regards