Black Heart Sassafras Dreadnought

[Hank]

This is guitar no 6 and my 2nd dread
Laminated back and sides, Sassafras/US Maple (cross hatched)/Wenge, (first time for me)
finished thickness was around 1.9mm
Top is Englemann Spruce
Neck is NZ Kauri from the CUB Vats
Ebony and maple bindings
Ebony head plate
Gidgee fretboard and bridge
Neck block torrified US Ash
Grover tuners
Bone nut and saddle

Sounds loud and full, but still not as warm as the OM

Finish is Mirotone AC 3606

Cheers Frank

[seeaxe]

Absolutely stunning. Love, love love that kauri neck. I've got some sassafras to use, I hope it looks that good when I'm finished with it.

[lamanoditrento]

Beautiful work I think black heart sassafras will be high on the list for my next build

[Hank]

Thanks Richard and Trent, yep i'm in love with Kauri too! soooo nice to carve,
(made some nice pieces out of Rimu back in the 80's, don't see it much here anymore, be nice for necks?)
I'm a tight ass, so i'm slowly going through everything I have in the workshop, the sassafras was leftover veneer and they only slice the best, that's why the picture is so good, i'm yet to use the real thing but it is on the list
Look forward to seeing your builds

Cheers Frank

[Kamusur]

Stunning finish Frank. Hope it plays and sounds as nice as it looks.

Steve

[Jonny]

Hi Hank,

I am new here so sorry if this questions is silly but...
I thought kauri was a softwood ?How would that hold up long term as a neck

[Hank]

Thanks Steve, i'm pleased to say my setups are getting a lot tidier and it does sound like a guitar

Jonny good question............it was free!..... time will tell i guess
Their are makers in NZ using it for necks, It has similar spec's to Sth Am Mahogany
(I will laminate them from now on though)

Veneer Glue i used was a Franklin (Titebond) product called "Cold Press Veneer Glue" Ordered it thru Carbitec
Used the Bender and heat blanket, Rolled the glue, wrapped it up, put it in the bender and had the blanket up to 60 for and hour
Lots of trial and error

Too much glue and it slides and seeps thru, not enough and you have bubbles,
Fun, but i'm going back to solids, much easier
hope this helps
Cheers Frank