Vinny’s Campellone Cameo begins

**Rograt** · 02-07-2024, 01:21 PM

Vinny, just to be clear, is this a surprise to you as well or just us?

**lawson-stone** · 02-07-2024, 01:59 PM

I'm guessing Vinny has Mark building him a 10 string pedal steel guitar... that would at least be a surprise!

**Rograt** · 02-07-2024, 02:51 PM

I think an archtop Flying “V” would be most appropriate!

**vinnyv1k** · 02-07-2024, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by Rograt

Vinny, just to be clear, is this a surprise to you as well or just us?

A hint - big, blonde, and beautiful

**Rograt** · 02-07-2024, 03:50 PM

Would I need 400 guesses?

**rlrhett** · 02-08-2024, 06:53 AM

Originally Posted by vinnyv1k

A hint - big, blonde, and beautiful

You’re getting a golden retriever puppy with your new guitar?

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**rlrhett** · 02-08-2024, 07:06 AM

Originally Posted by ccroft

Takes somebody with a lot of experience to try that particular pocket joint on something with that much work in it. The 'hump' (I think that's what we're calling it?) adds a whole new level of danger. Sooo many ways for that to go wrong the first time!

Makes me a bit queasy to think of it, and I've made some pretty dandy joints myself in 35 year of pro woodworking. This has confidence and control written all over it!

(I have an idea of what the jig might look like, but I'd love to see what Mark came up with... )

Of course these things can be cut in with saw and chisel, but by the slight burning in the inside corner of the pocket I’m guessing it has been done with a router jig. I am sure there are as many differing designs as there are individual luthiers, but the basic design looks like this:

Vinny’s Campellone Cameo begins-img_7424-jpg

Vinny’s Campellone Cameo begins-img_7424-jpg

Regardless, no jig is perfect. You still have to finesse the joint to get it a flawless as that, and that takes mad skills. As an amateur builder I’ve tried a dozen or more times and it is never smooth sailing. Tip of my hat to Mark yet again.

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**Rograt** · 02-08-2024, 07:45 AM

Here you go. Standard vs Hump. From what I know I imagine that there is substantial hand work after the routing.

Mark was very professional about me pleading to get the “hump” on my Cameo. Looks like he’s (more) relaxed about it now, although I understand it remains an option (for obvious reasons) rather than standard build. What a great man Mark is!

Vinny’s Campellone Cameo begins-img_6785_1-jpeg

Vinny’s Campellone Cameo begins-img_6785_1-jpeg

Vinny’s Campellone Cameo begins-img_6790_1-jpeg

**jaco1** · 02-08-2024, 09:30 AM

My Cameo is in the same batch as Vinnie's. He (Mark) asked if I wanted the "hump" so I think it is an option now. I ordered one.

**MCampellone** · 02-08-2024, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by Rograt

Here you go. Standard vs Hump. From what I know I imagine that there is substantial hand work after the routing.

Mark was very professional about me pleading to get the “hump” on my Cameo. Looks like he’s (more) relaxed about it now, although I understand it remains an option (for obvious reasons) rather than standard build. What a great man Mark is!

Vinny’s Campellone Cameo begins-img_6785_1-jpeg

Ha - I was planning to post pics showing my jig for routing the standard body dovetail vs. that for the Cameo - looks like you beat me to it : ) And you're right - since I've been building Cameos more regularly, dealing with its special features is a little less daunting.

**MCampellone** · 02-08-2024, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by rlrhett

Of course these things can be cut in with saw and chisel, but by the slight burning in the inside corner of the pocket I’m guessing it has been done with a router jig. I am sure there are as many differing designs as there are individual luthiers, but the basic design looks like this:

Vinny’s Campellone Cameo begins-img_7424-jpg

Regardless, no jig is perfect. You still have to finesse the joint to get it a flawless as that, and that takes mad skills. As an amateur builder I’ve tried a dozen or more times and it is never smooth sailing. Tip of my hat to Mark yet again.

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Yup - pocket is cut with a router - very keen of you to have observed the burn on the inside corners!

**MCampellone** · 02-08-2024, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by ccroft

Takes somebody with a lot of experience to try that particular pocket joint on something with that much work in it. The 'hump' (I think that's what we're calling it?) adds a whole new level of danger. Sooo many ways for that to go wrong the first time!

Makes me a bit queasy to think of it, and I've made some pretty dandy joints myself in 35 year of pro woodworking. This has confidence and control written all over it!

(I have an idea of what the jig might look like, but I'd love to see what Mark came up with... )

Well, thanks to Rograt, you've seen my set-up for routing the body dovetail. And you're right, the "hump" (aka "crown") does add one more element to an already complex job.

There's a lot going on with the neck/body joint - the pitch of the neck has to be set to achieve proper bridge height - the center line of the neck must line up with the center line of the body - the fingerboard has to be laterally parallel with the top of the guitar - the sides of the heel must sit tightly against the guitar's rim - and of course, the joint must be snug enough to lock in place.

As for the use of a shim in the dovetail joint, it's very rare that I don't have to use one. The neck goes on and off the guitar many times during the process of adjusting the fit - much more easily done if the neck fits loosely in the joint - then, once proper fit is achieved, the shim is used to finally tighten up the joint.

**vinnyv1k** · 02-08-2024, 12:19 PM

All I know is a Campellone signature means a whole lot more then a Hutch signature to me.

**deacon Mark** · 02-08-2024, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by MCampellone

Well, thanks to Rograt, you've seen my set-up for routing the body dovetail. And you're right, the "hump" (aka "crown") does add one more element to an already complex job.

There's a lot going on with the neck/body joint - the pitch of the neck has to be set to achieve proper bridge height - the center line of the neck must line up with the center line of the body - the fingerboard has to be laterally parallel with the top of the guitar - the sides of the heel must sit tightly against the guitar's rim - and of course, the joint must be snug enough to lock in place.

As for the use of a shim in the dovetail joint, it's very rare that I don't have to use one. The neck goes on and off the guitar many times during the process of adjusting the fit - much more easily done if the neck fits loosely in the joint - then, once proper fit is achieved, the shim is used to finally tighten up the joint.

I would pay a fee to see you mount the neck on the body and glue it in place! To me that might be one of the mysterious elements in making a guitar. You don’t get but one chance after the glue sets. A video Mark C. I chip in on the view.?

**andrew** · 02-08-2024, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by deacon Mark

I would pay a fee to see you mount the neck on the body and glue it in place! To me that might be one of the mysterious elements in making a guitar. You don’t get but one chance after the glue sets. A video Mark C. I chip in on the view.?

I would love to see a video that follows one guitar through Mark's process from start to finish. A couple years ago, That Pedal Show released a 5 part, hours long video series documenting another one-man operation crafting a flat top acoustic. It was fascinating.

**ccroft** · 02-08-2024, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by MCampellone

Well, thanks to Rograt, you've seen my set-up for routing the body dovetail. And you're right, the "hump" (aka "crown") does add one more element to an already complex job.

There's a lot going on with the neck/body joint - the pitch of the neck has to be set to achieve proper bridge height - the center line of the neck must line up with the center line of the body - the fingerboard has to be laterally parallel with the top of the guitar - the sides of the heel must sit tightly against the guitar's rim - and of course, the joint must be snug enough to lock in place.

AND the bottom of the neck heel has to meet the front side of the crown perfectly.

I like your jig work Mark. I was seeing something more complex, along the lines of rhett's EG. I didn't think on it too much, but I imagined the router on a jig dangerously teetering above the guitar body, with some un-godly long dovetail bit hanging out 3" or something. Now you see why I felt queasy :-)

Awesomely simple: just cut a hole in the jig for the crown and it's pretty much the same joint! Love it.

**vinnyv1k** · 02-08-2024, 08:45 PM

POP goes the quilt

Vinny’s Campellone Cameo begins-img_0408-jpeg

Vinny’s Campellone Cameo begins-img_0407-jpeg

Vinny’s Campellone Cameo begins-img_0406-jpeg

**Rograt** · 02-09-2024, 06:46 AM

Wow!

**Max405** · 02-09-2024, 09:16 AM

Oh Boy...
1st off, the Natural was the way I would have went. And seeing the wood selected for this build with some clear on it, I am glad you chose Natural.
Vinny that is absolute perfection right there. I cant imagine a nicer guitar, ever. And to top it off, this one means alot to you. Your friend hooked you up solid on this build. You've been a great customer and a great ambassador for the brand and you deserve it.
I love it.
Incredible.
JD

**vinnyv1k** · 02-09-2024, 11:36 AM

Gosh I was going cherry sunburst but now I don’t know what to do.
Blonde would be gorgeous too. That wood is magnificent.
I got to decide quickly.

**jim777** · 02-09-2024, 11:52 AM

Just get the cherry sunburst on the top, leave the rest as is

There's one with a black top and uncolored back and sides in Mark's gallery, and the juxtaposition looks really good.

**Stringswinger** · 02-09-2024, 12:24 PM

Vinny, Go with YOUR favorite finish, whatever that is........

**Rograt** · 02-09-2024, 12:30 PM

I must admit, when the clear coat went on mine it took me back somewhat but I also couldn’t wait for my choice to come to life.

My second choice was Chestnut Sunburst. I still think a Cameo in that finish would be classy.

**vinnyv1k** · 02-09-2024, 12:44 PM

Me and Mark are trying to decide now on the finish.

A vote please : Cherry sunburst with a hint of brown or blonde ?
The sunburst will not hide the quilt.

I can’t decide.

**QAman** · 02-09-2024, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by vinnyv1k

Me and Mark are trying to decide now on the finish.

A vote please : Cherry sunburst with a hint of brown or blonde ?
The sunburst will not hide the quilt.

I can’t decide.

Vinny,
While blonde might be preferable to some - I happen to like sunburst on my guitars. I really like Gibson’s bourbon burst. To me - it combines the best color gradient for an attractive looking burst - not too much cherry, and not too much brown.

But like Marco said - follow what YOU really like.

Good luck with your decision.

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