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What's that tune? "There will never be another Wu"...Sorry, I couldn't resist that!
Its been a while since this 18" arrived but I've finally got the Wu finished. I'd intentions of installing a DeArmond 1100 reissue, having bought 2 of them. But listening to several L5's outfitted with the Pete Biltoft floater my intuition told me to shift gears.
I placed the guitar into the hands of Mike Lull, one of Seattle's top luthier's. Mike has a whose who list of professionals he's worked with over some 30 years.
Major changes to the archtop since its arrival are:
Glued down loose frets
Plek-Fret dressing
Cut Fret ends
Gibson bone nut blank and install
Set up and adjustment
Installed a 5 ply Ebony pickguard - Electronics - Proper grounds installed to tailpiece
Installed a CTS 250k split shaft and replaced the original output jack
Installed a Pete Biltoft CC floating pickup
I'd previously removed the original tuners and installed Schaller M6 Ebony tuners.
Mechanically it's now like playing a completely different guitar. It plays effortlessly, and the action is as smooth as silk.
Even with TI Benson 14's the guitar still has a very notable acoustic voice. A 3.75" depth contributes towards that I'm sure.
The entire bill, including the guitar build, all the above secondary work, came in just under $2k - Which includes the purchase of the Biltoft CC pickup.
Last edited by 2bornot2bop; 10-15-2016 at 05:07 PM.
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10-15-2016 12:06 AM
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2b,
I just love that CC pickup. Bryant had that installed on one of his Jazz Electrics and it was quiet amazing . What a gorgeous instrument and a tremendous value .
Do enjoy!
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Big & Powerful, a musical Battleship.
But, oh, So Pretty.
Congratulations!
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Beautiful!
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Thanks again to Mr. Wu, and to Mike Lull Guitars for applying the finishing touches that truly make this guitar a player.
Last edited by 2bornot2bop; 10-15-2016 at 05:13 PM.
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After hearing forum member FredArchtop playing his L5 with the Biltoft CC I had to roll the dice. The guitar only arrived hours ago, so I've lots of investigating to do with the pickup-amp variables to dial in the best tone. But it feels good to finally play the Wu plugged in.
Originally Posted by QAman
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Wait...what?!?! Under 2k?!?!
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I'm speechless, but I guess you knew that
It's like looking at Kathy Ireland back in the day on the Sports Illustrated cover, and not even thinking about opening the magazine because the cover......the cover! The end of that fretboard, and the CC pickup, and the perfectly graceful pickguard that mirrors the fretboard binding, it's just a perfect visual masterpiece. An I know you've already spoken of the volume and tone from that big girl before due to her size and depth; it's just both a wonderful end to one story and a fantastic beginning to another 
Enjoy that guitar, and play the frets off her!
So, (being the new guy and all) how do I get in touch with the Mr. Wu team?
jimLast edited by jim777; 10-15-2016 at 01:21 AM.
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Crazy huh. I was equally amazed I could get all the secondary work done at a top notch shop for under $600. I'd ordered the guitar without electronics. Originally Posted by Guitarbean25
It's my guess that placing an order for an 18" acoustic archtop at 3.75" depth would be a challenging task. Maybe some of you know luthiers that would be willing to take on that build request, but I don't.
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Thank you Jim, for taking part in my mystery Originally Posted by jim777
I'm speechless, but I guess you knew that It's like looking at Kathy Ireland back in the day on the Sports Illustrated cover, and not even thinking about opening the magazine because the cover......the cover! The end of that fretboard, and the CC pickup, and the perfectly graceful pickguard that mirrors the fretboard binding, it's just a perfect visual masterpiece. An I know you've already spoken of the volume and tone from that big girl before guitar due to her size and depth; it's just both a wonderful end to one story and a fantastic beginning to another Enjoy that guitar, and play the frets off her!
So, (being the new guy and all) how do I get in touch with the Mr. Wu team?
jim
It's been 6 months since this guitar arrived, and honestly I didn't have a clue what the guitar would sound like electrified. This entire project has been a blessing.
Lora is the go to contact for placing orders, and or any questions. She's simply the best...very patient, and wants to ensure a buyer is very happy. Her contact info is in the archive threads...I'll do a search and return here to post it.
here's the links to the original build and later arrival of this guitar:
https://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guita...top-build.html
Mr Wu 18" Arrives
edit - Lora's email is under her forum username which is - yolandateam
[email protected]Last edited by 2bornot2bop; 10-15-2016 at 01:51 AM.
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What a gorgeous guitar! Well done, congrats & enjoy!
RC 1100 ri vs VV floating CC would be another very interesting topic.
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Oh, my. It's got even better. I'm very pleased for you! Wonderful guitar.
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Thank you! Thank you all...and KB is THE MAN! Originally Posted by aboutIt
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Fabulous
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Jealous
Lol
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The visual appeal of this now-finished instrument is stunning. You have an instant classic look there, 2B. The juxtaposition of the cupid's bow and the Biltoft CC is just perfect. Congratulations on a magnificent instrument, and play it in good health!
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Winner!!!!!!!
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That really is knockout! I love the white/black plastic binding, cupids bow, etc., much prefer it to wood binding, but that my subliminal Gibson influence creeping in, and that pickup just suits the whole look perfectly. Beautiful!
Can I ask,did you go for 1 3/4" nut width, and what is the string spacing at the bridge?
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2b,
Most of us find this build cost incredulous ,at a guess
I would have put it at $5 k plus . The secondary work
alone is an unbelievably low cost.
Congratulations on this magnificent guitar , well worth
the wait and at a ridiculously small outlay.
can't wait to hear your comment on it's tone and
playability.Last edited by silverfoxx; 10-15-2016 at 08:05 AM.
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I really think that's Wu's crown jewel right there.
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That. Is. GORGEOUS. Perfection!
Do Pete's CC pickups really sound like CCs? Modern CC pickups always seem to get a bad rap because they can't be authentic because of the magnet and construction being different... but as far as I'm concerned, as long as it SOUNDS like a CC, it's good.
My 17" Broadway was too big for me (well, standing up, anyway), I can't imagine an 18"!
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2B or Not To Bop...
Well doggone you sure got yourself an amazing guitar there buddy. Love to see the rest of the instrument when you stop playing it and can shoot outside (big storms there right ??). As you know my 17 inch Manhattan Project is enroute. My thinking is to get it up to Pete Moreno and have him do something similar to what you did with yours. Of course due to the preference most of the regulars here have to dark traditional bursts mine won't ring as loudly with them. I have 4 18 inch guitars now so I know how amazing they can sound, acoustic or plugged in...
You really got yourself an amazing instrument.
And may I repeat what 2B says about working with Lora, she is fantastic. So detail oriented, so thorough in her questions, not just at the beginning but all the way through the project - at each milestone there she is asking questions, making sure it's all just so. I've worked with her some time now, I want to say 7 years, and I have seen her develop into quite the pro doing this. It's an adventure ordering something from them, seeing it bloom into a finished product and then getting someone here in the States to really tart it up with the custom touches we all desire.
Congratulations 2B, you got yourself a real beauty.
Big
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What a looker. The Biltoff perfectly complements the guitar.
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Between my 1962 L5C with the new Guild RC 1100, and a couple other guitars , I have had no need or desire for any guitars whatsoever. I'm pretty much set for life.
That said, between this original thread and Bike Mikes threads, I realized how cheap it is to visualize a custom dream build. Basically $.10 on the dollar for what you would pay in the US.
So in July, I put in an order for an 18 inch oval hole, 3 1/4 inches, Johnny Smith scale, 1.75 inch not with, with very special Headstock and fingerboard inlay . It's going to be dark brown like Victor Baker dark brown with black binding.
Just got feedback about the front and back carve . I have no idea how long it will take further to finish it ( hopefully the tops and back carving are the hard part and take the longest time, given that they are done )
Based on this thread, I might as well order this floating Charley Christian pick up now. To Go with it eventually.
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WOW Greg ! Out of the ballpark for sure. Really sweet.
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