Current SJ

[Hesh1956]

Well I drove the BRW guitar to Tony the finisher late last week and then promptly started #15.

This is going to be an SJ with Honduran Mahogany back and sides and a Lutz, probably bearclaw, top.

This build has gone very fast so far and I nearly have the rim done.

Take a peek.

[Dennis Leahy]

What could go wrong, with "saint Billy" overseeing the project?

Hesh, I notice that you sold off your Watkins lining clamps, and are using office supply spring clips. I know the office supply spring clips are mighty strong - is that what you like better, or was there another reason to abandon those high-tech (looking) clamps?

Dennis

[BillyT]

OHH Yeeeaaaaah!!!!

How much for the back set leaning against the wall...IT"S GORGEOUS!!!

[Craig]

I'll bet this is going to be a fine sounding guitar Hesh. Honduran Mahogany is a fantastic sounding tonewood . Couple that to the Lutz and you have a real winning combination. Of course St. Billy will probably help

We should make the most of this Mahogany whilst it is available. It is no longer allowed to be imported over here.

[Hesh1956]

Good question Dennis - I think that this is one of those things where the way you learn to do something, be it the best or not, sticks with you and you are more comfortable not changing......

The Watkins lining clamps are top shelf. They do IMHO require the extra rubber to provide enough clamping pressure.

But again I think that it is just an old fart who resists change thing........

Billy I think that this is a killer set too!!!

I just baked the top, seasoned lightly with fresh cracked pepper and baked on the top shelf at 200 degrees F for one hour. It's kind of cool to do this because the house smells like warm spruce which is a cool, relaxing smell.

When the tops are done they feel harder and drier. As for the tap tone even though some will call me nuts...... again.......they ring better. This may be because the moisture content is much less and so too is the weight of the top.

Well back to the shop.

[Dennis Leahy]

Hi Hesh,

Others, wiser and more experienced than me, say to allow your freshly cooked top to come fully back to equilibrium. How long will you wait before bracing and/or gluing the top to the body?

Dennis

[Alain]

Good job bro! That will look fantastic!

I will be cooking some tops soon.

Dennis, good point. How long would it take for a top to acclimatize back to the shop???

[Dave Anderson]

Hesh, My next is going to be mahog too so I'll be watching this one closely.
So how long have you been baking your tops? I'm considering it.

[Hesh1956]

Well Dennis how long I wait is no longer an issue since I got the munchies and ate the stinking top after spreading pizza sauce and cheese on it.....

Seriously though I will usually wait a week with the top in the shop at 45ish RH before joining it.

I have been baking tops for the last 5-6 guitars now.

[Serge]

I knew that Billy could bring crisp to a thread but to a set, let me say yaaahooo!

Great job Hesh, reminds me that my next guitar will be made with a set of African mahogany, looking forward to see that nice one coming along bro!

[Ron Wisdom]

Looking good, Hesh. You did a really good job on the "Billy" inlay.

Ron

[Bob Connor]

How long and at what temperature are you cooking for Hesh?

I've got some King Billy here that looks like it could be good with some broccoli and cheese sauce.

The King Billy is currently sitting at about 12% MC.


Cheers

Bob

[Lillian]

Bob, there are several threads on baking tops in the archives at the OLF. Well worth the read. One or two were a bit hotly opinionated, but still, well worth the read.

[BillyT]

One or two were a bit hotly opinionated,

Ha! That's pretty funny Lillian!