Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

I've had this set of Sapele on the shelf for about 8 years now waiting for that special instrument to warrant using it. Don't mind saying that I was pretty nervouse bending those sides.

Body - Sapele
Soundboard - Western Red Cedar
Peg Head Veneers - Sapele
Fret Board - Macasar Ebony with 12" - 16" compound radius
Rosette - Spalted Maple
Bindings - Indian Rosewood
Tuners - Waverly with Snake Wood buttons
Finish - High gloss lacquer

Beautiful. That sapele is amazing. That great finish must have been a pain in the neck to photograph

Hi Allen,

That is gorgeous!!! The whole instrument - but especially the sapele!
Was the sapele difficult to bend?
What woods did you use for the bridge - macassar and ?

Thanks,
GregL.

The bridge veneer is Amboyna burl (New Guinea Rosewood)

The sides bent reasonably easy, but you can be assured I was going very carefully on the pipe by hand so I could feel if it was going to give way.

Any high gloss finish is difficult to take a picture of without it giving harsh reflections. I use a light tent with 3 lights shining through the sides so it gives a much softer light.

Very nice Allen and good to see Parra are putting it to the cowboys at the moment.