Two dreads finally finished

vandenboom · Post by **vandenboom** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 2:27 pm

Finally finished these two - started back in Feb. One for me, one for one of my boys. Same design for both. Not as fancy as some of the stuff you guys put up, but my goal has been to stay with dreads until I think I'm doing a reasonable job.
Tops :Sitka. Left - LMI , Right - plank from Matthews timber in Melb

Back & sides : tassie blackwood - bought a 3m plank sight unseen over the phone from a tassie sawmill when I started a couple of years ago. Risky but a good outcome.

Fingerboard : Left - Cooktown ironwood, Wenge binding; Right : Wenge

Headstocks : Left : Blackwood, RIght : Myrtle; Decal is vinyl

Bindings : Left : Blackwood - got from Tim Spittle, Right - Wenge

Both have under saddle pickups (Artec)
There were a few questions the forum helped me with along the way, thank in particular to the following...
* Rick Turner - tilted saddle used for first time.
* Kim - suggested I make my own saddle out of beef bone from the butcher when the slot became oversized. Also solved my lousy pickup response problem.
* Bob - supplied some nice bridge pins to suit
* Allen, Bob, Stu & others - got me onto Mirocat, solved some other finish problems I was having

Before bracing these tops, I bought Kent Everett (OLF) recent DVD on steel string top voicing. I found this very helpful. X-braces are also pushed forward.

So, while not perfect, I am now reasonably satisfied with my dreadnoughts, and so I will start to focus on a couple of archtops.
Thanks again everyone.
Frank

Lillian · Post by **Lillian** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 3:01 pm

Okay Frank, what part of your two new babies aren't as fancy as what the other guys have posted? Well barring Nick. He does tend to do things the hard way.

There isn't anything plain or half measured in what you've done. Lots to be really proud of there.

kiwigeo · Post by **kiwigeo** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 3:06 pm

A couple of stunners there Frank.....very nice lines and very fine workmanship.

Kim · Post by **Kim** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 3:26 pm

Great work Frank, nothing 'loud' or over the top maybe, but that's some pretty fancy chops you have going there. Well Done!!

Cheers

Kim

ozziebluesman · Post by **ozziebluesman** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 4:11 pm

Very nice dreadnaughts Frank. The Blackwood buy was a winner. Beautifuly appointed. The Cook Town Ironwood fingerboard looks very classy. Was there a difference in tone, volume sustain between the two guitars?

Thanks for sharing

Cheers

Alan

liam_fnq · Post by **liam_fnq** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 4:26 pm

they definitely look as fancy as the other stuff on the site. nice work.

can you tell us a little about the plank top on the right hand guitar.

congrats.

vandenboom · Post by **vandenboom** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 4:40 pm

ozziebluesman wrote:Was there a difference in tone, volume sustain between the two guitars?
Alan

Yes. The one with Ironwood fb is noticeably louder and has better sustain than the other. Other differences to consider here are...

Guitar 1 : Ironwood fb, Blackwood neckshaft (much heavier than the other), rosewood bridge plate, ironwood bridge - slightly bulkier profile to the other.

Guitar 2 : overall noticeably lighter guitar, Wenge fb, Fijian mahogany neck shaft, maple bridge plate, Wenge bridge

Bracing pattern identical on both.
Frank

vandenboom · Post by **vandenboom** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 4:44 pm

liam_fnq wrote: can you tell us a little about the plank top on the right hand guitar.

Matthews in Vermont get these planks of Sitka that they call "Mast grade" as it is used for sail boat masts.
I bought 3.6m of 9"x2" a couple of years ago for about $300.
Nicely quartersawn.
Good strength with the grain but pretty weak laterally. I left this top close to 3mm thick. Further to previous message, this is the also the top with slight less volume and sustain.
Frank

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 6:42 pm

Frank, hold yer head up and say "I build a couple of bloody nice guitars".

Fantastic stuff there mate. And all of us know that the things that have gone into those builds are not easy to pull off and look well done, even for someone with several instruments under their belt. You should be deservedly proud of your accomplishment.

PHANTOM · Post by **PHANTOM** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 7:09 pm

They both look great mate. Well done I think they look just as good as any I have seen. Nice work.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 5:35 am

Love the twins frank

Nice clean lines, you must be very proud of yourself (I would be!) I Love the features you've included on these & the finish is excellent. Well done.

Hesh1956 · Post by **Hesh1956** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 6:31 am

Beautiful guitars Frank and I am sure that your son is loving his too!

Bob Connor · Post by **Bob Connor** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 7:35 am

Terrific looking guitars Franks and a nice score on that Blackwood too.

I'll look forward to a report down the track on how they compare when they've opened up a bit.

Clancy · Post by **Clancy** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 6:29 pm

Last week I had the pleasure of strumming the dread on the left.
While I was struck by the quality of the build and the natural feel holding it, it was the tone of the instrument that really grabbed me.
Two thumbs up

and both big toes!
Would have been quite happy for Frank to leave it with me!

vandenboom · Post by **vandenboom** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 8:45 pm

Thanks everyone for your compliments and again for all the help along the way.
I have just been playing mine for a couple of hours and absolutely loving it.
Frank

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Two dreads finally finished

Two dreads finally finished

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