Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

This is my last build: Valben Custom Prima-R
Details:
- Valben Prima design with wide x-bracing, cut-away, side port and arm bevel.
- Scale length 25.4" with 13 frets at the neck joint.
- Width at nut 45.5mm with zero fret.
- Brass strings counter plate
- Super Blonde Shellac finish
- Set-up with 12-gauge strings
Woods:
- Soundboard: Bearclaw Sitka Spruce
- Back & Sides: Padauk
- 3 pieced laminated Rosewood/Rewarewa neck with Ebony fretboard & bridge
- Prima-R / Koru soundhole and fretboard inlays
- Rewarewa pickguard
- Maple binding job

WOW!! Great looking guitar

Really well executed. I love the shell shaped inlays - but I assume they are timber. Do you make a log of those? What is the secret of their perfect regularity? Or is this some kind of CNC magic?

Thanks Asgilbert & good spot Mark , A couple of years ago have built a small cnc machine that I mainly use for inlays.. My job relates to process automation so it wasn't to difficult to go hand-on with the cnc tech. I prefer to spend my time in designing nice inlays more than becoming half blind using a dremel and magnifying goggles.
In this case the main design idea is not a shell but a Koru. This is a stylized unfurling fern-leaf that represent new life, growth, strength and peace in Maori culture.

I could look at the bear claw all day Wayne. AND how interesting is the grain on the Rewarewa!

Wow! Nice build, very flash!