Here is my 3rd guitar, which I recently strung up in the nick of time for an anniversary prezzie for my wife. It is my first solo build although; I do owe a lot of thanks to Andrew Armstrong and forum members for a lot of advice along the way. My wife has had some netball injuries over years to her fingers and struggles a bit with barre chords. So the idea was for a smaller guitar, with a shorter scale length and connical fretboard. It is roughly based on Courtnell’s ‘Torres 2’ plans.
As an anniversary present, I have put a lot of bling on it (I am sure some would say too much), including rose gold side dots made from off cuts/filings left over from making my wife’s wedding ring. Pretty sure the #4 will have absolutely no shell on it.
I learned (sometimes re-learned) a lot of lessons, including a new appreciation of how much ebony and spruce don’t get along. A fair amount of stuff ups including upside down Spanish heel wedges, strings riding pegs, 3 sides bent, ca stains on spruce, plus many more. Such a good time though.
The sound is surprising woody and full of sustain. I am pretty happy with the result although not sure I like the planetary friction pegs – so weird to tune having to push in at the same time and I think 1:4 ratio is so low
The specs are:
Top: Engelmann spruce
B&S, headstock & rosette: Northern Silkyoak
Inlay: Miles of paua & touch of rose gold
Neck: QLD Mahogany
Fretboard: Ebony
Bridge: ebonised Black Wattle
