Ms Lora/Mr Wu Special Dream Guitar

[BigMikeinNJ]

Well my parcel is likely to be delivered today and I wanted to shamelessly copy 2B's style of presenting a brief retrospect of it from start to finish. So here we go, a 17 inch by 2 7/8 deep arch top - basically an AR810 with the very best woods, flame maple binding and inlays inspired by M. Campellone, a tailpiece and pick guard very reminiscent of a D'Aquisto Solo. As always Ms Lora and Mr Wu and now Mrs Wu were fantastic the whole way. Hang back and enjoy these photos. It's looking like it will be a sunny day today so good day for deck shots. Tomorrow it will be 60 degrees so I'll be out on the back deck playing it unplugged.

Here we go



Back and top plates...
Then carved top with the F holes cut

[BigMikeinNJ]

Body sides all shaped and glued up

[BigMikeinNJ]

Top, back and sides glued up, bindings installed.

[BigMikeinNJ]

Of course it all would be nothing without the principals in this venture: Ms Lora, Mr and Mrs Wu

[BigMikeinNJ]

And then the real excitement started, the neck is glued up and carved, the fingerboard attached, the headstock veneer and fret slots cut, prior to Mrs Wu going bananas doing all that amazing inlay.

[BigMikeinNJ]

So Mrs Wu went even more bananas and gussied things up a bit more. It's really coming along now.

[BigMikeinNJ]

Per my instructions it spent a lot of time drying. Good thing as the timing was PERFECT for them to be off during the Chinese New Year. Once they had that special time away with family and friends they came back guns ablazing. I got a couple photos from Lora on the placement of the pickup and tone controls. Oh man you can see that the body had been buffed up... Ooooohhhhh !!!!! ;-))))) Then the pickup, controls, tuners, pick guard and tailpiece all went on for final approval. It was a few days between the shop to Lora and then she took off the pick guard for shipment. It gets packed outside the case but in the big yellow parcel very carefully. So now we sit and wait for USPS to do it's thing. These guys really move the Express Mail parcels and it should be here today. If not with my regular mail carrier then on a separate truck. Their tracking isn't always like note for note like UPS or FedEx but They Deliver For You (I think that's their motto). More shots later.

[mangotango]

"Special". You ain't kidding on that one. Looks great. Keep us posted.

[targuit]

Gosh, that is beautiful! And I love the Chinese characters of Mr. Wu's name on the headstock and the tasteful and lovely inlay on the neck.

I'm a bit caught up in the anticipation of hearing how this guitar feels in your hands and sounds. I imagine that these instruments deepen in tone as they mature, but I really have no experience with a commissioned guitar like this. But I share your excitement, even in this difficult period for you. Thoughts and prayers and hopes for a great day to you.

[BigMikeinNJ]

I love it when it says

February 27, 2016 , 7:46 am	Out for Delivery	JACKSON, NJ 08527
Your item is out for delivery on February 27, 2016 at 7:46 am in JACKSON, NJ 08527.
February 27, 2016 , 7:36 am	Sorting Complete	JACKSON, NJ 08527
February 27, 2016 , 7:33 am	Arrived at Post Office	JACKSON, NJ 08527

[BigMikeinNJ]

It's here !!!

I will call her Blondie



A tape wrapped outside box, and then the usual tape wrapped styrofoam box. Nice faux brown alligator case.
Pickgua d and bridge separate. Gorgeous, nice comfortable Eastman style neck. It's so too bright and sunny out to get really good shots. Going to let it rest and warm up overnight. Put the pickguard and bridge on this tomorrow.
Verdict: totally A Plus Double Wow.

[BigMikeinNJ]

more

[BigMikeinNJ]

[vinnyv1k]

Sweet ! Happy for you BigMike. The first song you play on it should be your mom's favorite song. She will be listening from heaven. I am blessed to still have my 90 year old mom. Her favorite song is "In the Garden". I have made sure it is the best song I can play. May your new guitar help mend your heart my friend. God bless you !

[BigMikeinNJ]

​Sorry I forgot that on the iPad the photos have to be added in the reverse motion you want them to appear - and in my excitement many are posted more than once. I want a day where there are a few clouds and not so bright. It sure is nice. And I repeat the neck is a very comfortable Eastman style neck, not Ibanez skinny, maybe more GB-10 comfortable... Can't wait for it to settle in and tune her up. It was riding around in a truck on a 40 degree day here, no way I'm in a rush... Hope you enjoy the show...

Vinny I just saw your comments, her favorite song (that I remember best) is Lloyd Price's Personality, pretty easy to sing and play in her honor...

[targuit]

Are you kidding? Enjoying the show? I've always had a thing for blondes and this lady is a knockout! Enjoy the affair.

[eddy b.]

Wow!!!! Gorgeous Guitar Big Mike!!!! Enjoy!!!!

[h1pst3r88]

NICE, BigMike!!!!!!

Congrats!

-Chris

[Max405]

Best NGD ever Mikey. Just when you really needed it.
Beautiful guitar bro. Ms Lora and the Wu's are beautiful too.
It's a great day for a well deserving Mike. See Mom and Dad pushed it right through customs for you bro.
Love it!!!
Joe D

[BigMikeinNJ]

Lastly in the box was this, a piece Ms Lora did by hand for me. A sign of our everlasting friendship

[2bornot2bop]

Wow, fast delivery Mike! We received tracking numbers at the same time and mine says it's still somewhere in Beijing Airport

Good, I'm glad you received it without delay. She looks even more stunning on this side of the pond. More pix!

[BigMikeinNJ]

2B

Mine was stuck in Beijing for days, then when with no change AT ALL in the status, last night it suddenly was at JFK and had Cleared Sorting in one swoop... 16 hours later I'm shooting photos. Instead of the normal postal guy it was a special truck so it got here later than the 11:30 am guy does. I just jumped the shark and put the bridge on, raised the action a bit and put a bit of tension on it, not going full pitch for hours. It's too bright here to really capture how pretty it is. Same with the needlework piece that Lora made me. WOW...

Can't wait for your update. It's gotta be coming soon man...

[2bornot2bop]

2B

Mine was stuck in Beijing for days, then when with no change AT ALL in the status, last night it suddenly was at JFK and had Cleared Sorting in one swoop... 16 hours later I'm shooting photos. Instead of the normal postal guy it was a special truck so it got here later than the 11:30 am guy does. I just jumped the shark and put the bridge on, raised the action a bit and put a bit of tension on it, not going full pitch for hours. It's too bright here to really capture how pretty it is. Same with the needlework piece that Lora made me. WOW...

Can't wait for your update. It's gotta be coming soon man...

Okay, so the EMS tracking isn't up to date. What a nice Saturday Surprise 4 U!

[Max405]

Wow, fast delivery Mike! We received tracking numbers at the same time and mine says it's still somewhere in Beijing Airport...

Mine was stuck in Beijing for days, then when with no change AT ALL in the status, last night it suddenly was at JFK and had Cleared Sorting in one swoop... 16 hours later I'm shooting photos.

See what I mean? Mom and Dad at work. They knew you needed it.
JD

[2bornot2bop]

I love the polish placed on the Ebony tailpiece...look how the side of it just glistens in the NJ sunlight...wasn't it just 2 weeks ago you guys were surrounded in ZERO degree temperatures!?