The Itch Returns...

**rlrhett** · 01-13-2017, 10:07 PM

Congratulations!! Binding is the most thankless job. The standard is perfect, and you can only screw up from there!

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**lawson-stone** · 01-13-2017, 11:47 PM

Wow. This is both inspiring and intimidating for someone pondering the jump into building guitars!

**Jehu** · 01-15-2017, 03:35 PM

Thanks, folks!

Rlrhett -- absolutely right. My binding skills are increasing with each build, but it's no walk in the park. I've been trying to add a level of complexity each time; this was my first time using wood purflings (which are easy to work with but harder to gap fill -- so better get it right!) as well as a double rabbet channel.

**Matt Cushman** · 01-15-2017, 06:28 PM

She is looking good Jay! Your binding came out real nice. That is a long double rabet to cut by hand.

**ninjasan** · 01-17-2017, 06:08 PM

So perfect can't be human,
Come on,
we all know that your using a 3D printer don't you ?

Wonderful Jay !

**Jehu** · 01-17-2017, 09:31 PM

Ha, thanks Christophe... if it's a 3D printer, I need to get it looked at!

**rabbit** · 01-18-2017, 10:30 AM

A pleasure to behold.

Thanks for the opportunity.

joaopaz · 04-07-2017, 11:45 PM

Subscribed to this thread! Better late than never...

You do some seriously wonderful work.

Is that a Grizzly paw on the headstock?

**Jehu** · 04-09-2017, 02:59 AM

Originally Posted by joaopaz

Subscribed to this thread! Better late than never...

Originally Posted by joaopaz

You do some seriously wonderful work.

Is that a Grizzly paw on the headstock?

Thanks, Joao. That is actually a dog paw on the headstock -- specifically our eldest dog, Lola's paw. I had her walk with wet paws on paper, then used the best imprint as the basis for the inlay.

The Itch Returns...-img_2314-jpg

Lola is part owner of the guitar company that I will one day start, Red Dog & Wood Guitars. 'Red Dog' because she is a red merle Australian Shepherd, and 'Wood' because, oddly enough, that is my last name. Though to make the business viable, I suspect I will need to increase output from 0.5 instruments per year...

The Itch Returns...-img_2565-jpg

Ivy, our youngest, is still a rabble-rouser and has not yet earned her place in the organisation. She does like to eat wood shavings though, so she's clearly angling for an apprenticeship.

**Jehu** · 01-26-2018, 01:15 AM

Crikey! I completely forgot about this thread!

I'm sure there have been a lot of sleepless nights and chewed fingernails as you've wondered, panic-stricken, what has come of this guitar. Well, I did eventually get her finished.

Overall, I think it turned out reasonably well. It is certainly not perfect; there are cosmetic flaws-a-plenty, and the top ended up with a bit of discolouration due to some sloppiness on my part during the sealing phase. (I actually kind of like it, though; it gives it a sort of antique look.) But it is structurally sound, plays very nicely, and sounds pretty decent too. That soundport really makes a difference!

A few pics:
The Itch Returns...-dsc_0017-jpg

**Jehu** · 01-26-2018, 01:23 AM

More...

**citizenk74** · 01-26-2018, 06:58 AM

Nice work, Jehu! That's a beautiful instrument. Well done!

**339 in june** · 01-26-2018, 09:35 AM

Wow ! That's nice !
Sure it sounds as good as it looks (which is quite a bit !)

**Matt Cushman** · 01-26-2018, 10:02 AM

Jay, I very much like the sound port. She is a natural beauty. Very nice guitar!

**Jehu** · 01-26-2018, 01:56 PM

Thanks, guys. It's definitely not Cushman-grade, but it is better than the previous ones, so at least I'm moving in the right direction!

**Skip Ellis** · 01-26-2018, 04:23 PM

Very nice! I've built a couple archtops with power tools and my hat is off to anyone doing it with hand tools. Now I know why I went to building solid bodies. Cutting binding channels by hand would test anyone's patience.