Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Well I started this commission ages ago but other events slowed progress and fortunately the customer didn't need it until this month as it's for his son's 21st. It was ordered after the customer saw the other CS356 I was making and fell in love with the shape and quilted top (viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5392, yes I know, I haven't posted pics of that one as I said I would. Mainly because I've been a slack bastard and haven't finished it yet! But I hope to in the next few months).
The customer liked the tobacco burst but when he surreptitiously asked his son what he liked, it turned out he prefered a transparent blue so I've basically followed the same colour scheme as a standard trans blue Gibson. He's also a big fan of the band Tool so I've tried to copy Adam Jones's pickup selection.
A few specs:
Body is Sapele with a quilted western Maple cap bound with B/W/B/W/B/W plastic bindings,
Neck is a two piece laminated Sapele construction with Ebony board and Evo gold fret wire, the Gibson MOP block inlays,
Pickups are Seymour Duncans, an SH1 ('59 Model) in the neck posn and a SH4 (JB Model) in the bridge, also with coil cuts via push/pull pots on both just for a little sonic variance.
Bridge and stop tailpiece are Gotoh items as are the 510 tuners,
Finished with Mirotone 3220 clear over blue colortone stain. The next picture came out a little 'brighter' than the top really is Quite pleased with the shine, great stuff that Mirotone, I've used and tried many different types of finish but throughly recommend the Mirotone. The back & sides look almost black in low light but really come up a beautiful blue in sunlight.

Oh yeah Nick, now that's what we're talking about. That looks really sweet, very nice appointments

Steve

Looks great Nick and and that's a really nice blue, makes all the gold stand out. Wayne

Nick,

Awesome, that's bloody beautiful !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh so spectacular Nick. Love what you did to that Maple.

That is STUNNING!

Drop dead gorgeous !
Love it.

I can tell this guy is going to have a good birthday!

Hmmmmm ought to have dyed mine another colour. That is just jaw-dropping.

Was about to put up a post enquiring as to what you've been working.

I love the guitar and could probably get used to the blue paint job. If it was me Id have told your customer's son that blue is out and Kermit Green is the go.

That looks fantastic. Stunning guitar

I'm just gobsmacked Nick,,,, Superb !!

Thanks everyone for the kind words, been a nice change to head back to my roots for two guitars at least. Back to acoustics after completing the other tobacco burst cs.

I better wipe my mouth, i'm drooling.

Col

That'll do me, I don't think that I have seen Better can I ask where that bridge and tail piece came from ?

Tod Gilding wrote: can I ask where that bridge and tail piece came from ?

Hey Tod, had to think there for a minute as I'd bought these parts ages ago, back before I'd even started my tobacco burst CS356! But both items are available through stewmacs. The bridge is the "locking roller bridge" & the tailpiece is the Gotoh model they sell. The bridge has lots of adjustment points, the whole bridge can be 'slid' then locked in on the post mounts for roughing in and the saddles are then individually set so the intonation can really be dialled in.

Beautiful work Nick but I'm a little concerned about your footwear. The little bows don't comliment the guitar.
Rob

I must have come back to see this guitar at least 5 times. It is really something.
Rob

Stop it Nick you make me feel inadequate, now that is a real piece of artistry, i really love the carve job you've done on it, love the colour and finish too. can't help feeling a bit
Cheers,,
Rod.

Cool blue, very pretty indeed Nick.

Jim