Sitka & blackwood OM 14fret falcate

[lamanoditrento]

Recently finished this 14 fret falacate braced OM. Bit of kitchen sink build with arm bevel, rib rest and what I am calling a Siena cutaway. I should have some sound sample in a couple of weeks to add but thought I would throw up the pics now. My first use of stainless steel frets and attempt at semi-hemispherical fret ends which I quite enjoyed but having played them, I am not sure it worth the bother. Good to have it as an option I suppose.

[RodC]

Very nice Trent.
Really looking forward to the sound sample.

[asgilbert]

Beautiful work Trent.

[kiwigeo]

Pushing the boundaries there Trent. That's one classy looking guitar....not bad for a "kitchen sink" build.

I've been looking for some inspiration to get back in the shop and make some dust after a 2 year break from building......looks like I just found it!

[Mark McLean]

That is a very finely crafted package. You really have the aesthetic theme well worked out in all of the different elements.
I notice how the nut compensation means that you can eliminate the need to slope the saddle. It is a subtle thing but it actually changes the appearance of the guitar a lot to have that symmetrical look at the bridge. It looks so much more “classical” than most steel string acoustics. And now I know what you meant by “all about the pinless bridge”. V. Nice.
The timber art deco style inlays are really cool and nicely recreated in many different places to get a whole theme going (I assume that is CNC, please don’t tell me you can cut that by hand?). And you sent me off on a search to check out those Duesenberg tuners with the fancy buttons, they just complete the whole package.
Nice work, Sir. How are you doing your finishing these days?

[lamanoditrento]

Cheers guys

Pushing the boundaries there Trent. That's one classy looking guitar....not bad for a "kitchen sink" build.

I've been looking for some inspiration to get back in the shop and make some dust after a 2 year break from building......looks like I just found it!

Thanks Martin. Two years is a lot of pent up lutherie, I think a kitchen sink build for you is appropriate.

That is a very finely crafted package. You really have the aesthetic theme well worked out in all of the different elements.
I notice how the nut compensation means that you can eliminate the need to slope the saddle. It is a subtle thing but it actually changes the appearance of the guitar a lot to have that symmetrical look at the bridge. It looks so much more “classical” than most steel string acoustics. And now I know what you meant by “all about the pinless bridge”. V. Nice.
The timber art deco style inlays are really cool and nicely recreated in many different places to get a whole theme going (I assume that is CNC, please don’t tell me you can cut that by hand?). And you sent me off on a search to check out those Duesenberg tuners with the fancy buttons, they just complete the whole package.
Nice work, Sir. How are you doing your finishing these days?

There is a tiny bit of cnc on this guitar: the nut. I decided I can't be bothered cutting them anymore, so fiddly, and got a friend to cut five of them at once. So yes all inlay by hand mostly with a scalpel, chisel and dremel to hog the bulk out.

Andrew has the duesenbergs here here if you want some.

The finish is precat poly Mirotone 3242

[seeaxe]

The only thing I don't like about that is it isn't left handed....
That's is a beautiful piece of work. Would love to hear it.
Much respect.

[Steve.Toscano]

Looking nice, love the execution of the bevels.

[WJ Guitars]

I like the style and character created. All those bevels are amazing.

Wayne

[MBP]

Really nice lines on that guitar.

[lamanoditrento]

This is slightly embarrassing. It is actually a lutz SB not sitka. So yeah, still need to work on my attention to detail

Anyway, here is the promised sample:

https://youtu.be/Q4xKFGCaP80

[colburge]

Sounds great, beautiful guitar.

Col

[seeaxe]

Lovely sound. What a cracker. You must be pretty pleased with that.

[lamanoditrento]

Lovely sound. What a cracker. You must be pretty pleased with that.

very very pleased

[Fisherman]

Nice Trent, definitely a unique look to this instrument... Very cool

Just as an aside noting the reference to kitchen sink.... I did actually cut up one of those a while back for the Corian and have been using that for a while now for saddles....

[lamanoditrento]

Ok last bit of flogging the late horse, new demo vids
https://youtu.be/s2u4w9gLDvk
https://youtu.be/uUh-X0gYXGc

[WJ Guitars]

Well presented videos Trent. The guitar as an interesting distinct sound for finger style playing.

Wayne

[Jim]

Beautiful work Trent- been meaning to have a go at some bevels but must admit I find it a bit intimidating- these look superb!

[lamanoditrento]

Beautiful work Trent- been meaning to have a go at some bevels but must admit I find it a bit intimidating- these look superb!

Ken Everett's course is a really good place to start. I couldn't get my head around it until I went through his course.

[Valben]

this is a top build Trent, double thumbs up to your skills

[Bernie63]

Beautiful guitar Trent and sounds amazing.

Love the design elements and the whole look of the "kitchen sink" - It has the works! Inlay work looks like it took ages of patience to execute perfectly.

I have a couple of questions about the pinless bridge. First is the bridge laminated with CF? Secondly, is there any additional securing of the bridge to the plate beyond the glue (what glue?)?

I would like to try a Florentine cutaway for my next guitar but gotta finish the first one, soon hopefully.

Lovely work
Bernie

[lamanoditrento]

I have a couple of questions about the pinless bridge. First is the bridge laminated with CF? Secondly, is there any additional securing of the bridge to the plate beyond the glue (what glue?)?

Hi Bernie, no the bridge doesn't have CF, it is a nice light piece of blackwood that I ebonized with steelwool and vinegar. It also has a hidden bit of bone inlaid for the ball ends to hold against. I ummm and ahhh'ed over whether or not to put a bridge patch in, seeing as there will be no ball ends to damage the underside of the SB. In the end, I justified putting one in because of the neutral axis, but honestly it was really just a gut call. I always use HHG vacuum clamped for bridges these days. I can't imagine doing it any other way now. Having personally experienced trying to remove a bridge glued with HHG and a vacuum clamp (it was put on upside down) only after a couple of days, I am convinced there will be no issue.

[Bernie63]

Hi Trent - thanks for the clarification. I look forward to this next challenge once the first guitar is finished. Only the nut and bridge to go.

Bernie