David Churchill

[demonx]

When a builder commissions a guitar from another builder you know there is something special going to happen. Enter David Churchill, Master Luthier and a down to earth all round great guy. I stopped by his workshop today with a special delivery of Ziricote and asked if he would build me a Acoustic guitar. You see, I heard recently David is retiring next year, after building guitars longer than I've been alive, this man is a true Master Luthier, unlike many out there that just claim the title, David is the real deal and his work is uncompromising and the details are beyond description. Every time I see something he has made I am blown away, Davids work runs circles around my own and I give him all the respect in the world.

Now the wait begins as I'm not exactly the first in cue. Construction will start in the new year. I have a long few months!

[demonx]

The build isn't officially meant to start until next year, but today I got a call to drop in and finalize some of the specs.

Whilst I was there David had joined the Ziricote back and had some Master Grade Spruce tops laid out for me to pick from.

Also I got to view the Macassar Ebony neck blank which recently arrived!

[colburge]

it's gonna be cool

[demonx]

I reckon it will too!

I'm going for a very simplistic theme, but with some exotic timber choices.

The binding will be only Ebony, the rosette will be simply Birdseye maple end Ebony.

It's to have an off board preamp so there is no big panel cut into the body and I've asked for a cutaway body.

It's not the usual selection of specs for a "Churchill" but from the front it'll look like any standard Churchill guitar, until it's flipped over!

[demonx]

Dropped in today and snapped some more progress pics!

David Churchill holding his handy work and soon to be my new guitar!


The inner beauty of the Ziricote body


The top bracing, completely hand carved by chisel


Ebony and Birdseye maple Rosette - simply but effective


All the kerfling David cuts himself, it's not the premade bought stuff!


An absolute piece of art. Note the Ebony tip which will make more sense when the rest of the ebony binding is in place

[colburge]

sweeeeeet!


Col

[jeffhigh]

I'd be wanting a side brace in the key crack area (the flat section just back from the waist)

[demonx]

There is more bracing to go in, I sort of dropped in while he was in the middle of things.

[demonx]

The thick Ebony binding is now done. Looking pretty damn nice if you ask me!

[Kamusur]

Gotta agree with you Allan, it is looking pretty damned nice.

Steve

[kiwigeo]

David managed to get that ebony binding to bend around the cutaway.....he's worked at the ATO at some stage??

[demonx]

David managed to get that ebony binding to bend around the cutaway.....he's worked at the ATO at some stage??

He was more concerned about bending the Zircote for the cutaway as he doesn't use a bending machine, he does it the old way, however it bent easier than he expected considering the amount of figure.

I also got a sneak peek at the neck yesterday but I didn't snap any pics. Ill get one next time. It was clamped up getting a truss rod slot. Will probably be carved next time I go

[demonx]

A couple more progress pics.

I stopped in today to see where it's at and was surprised to see it's in paint stages!

Ebony headstock cap:


All taped up ready for clear:


Macassar Ebony neck:

[colburge]

That is a nice shape for the headstock, is that David's signature headstock, or something you came up with?

Cheers

Col

[jeff crisp]

Only spoke to David once a few Melbourne festivals back (nice bloke) and he told me it was inspired by an old gibson shape. Can't quite remember but it might have been an archtop.

[demonx]

It is David's signature headstock, however as mentioned above it is inspired by an old Gibson design that is not used anymore and I think wasn't used very long.

[jeffhigh]

1940 Gibson J55 headstock design

[demonx]

1940 Gibson J55 headstock design

That would be the one. I think he's changed the top shape a little bit, but its basically that headstock.

[demonx]

I stopped by again today to see the guitars progress. I'm very happy with the way its unfolding.

Ebony and Birdseye maple Rosette inlaid into the Western Red Cedar top


Ziricote Back and sides wrapped in Ebony binding


Macassar Ebony Neck and Ziricote Back and sides all wrapped in Ebony binding


Ziricote Back and sides wrapped in Ebony binding


A fine maple highlight separating the Ebony cap from the Macassar headstock


Western Red Cedar top, Ziricote fingerboard and Ebony headstock cap.

[Kev3]

Gotta be happy with how that is coming together Allan !

[demonx]

Gotta be happy with how that is coming together Allan !

Definitely.

Very happy!

[Aphelion Instruments]

That is unbelievably beautiful I love that ziricote

[soulman]

That is Beautiful.
I have got to try some Ziricote.
What is the finish coating. I see the top was masked off. I'm assuming top is diferent to back and sides?

[demonx]

That is Beautiful.
I have got to try some Ziricote.
What is the finish coating. I see the top was masked off. I'm assuming top is diferent to back and sides?

Its a 2k finish. Top was only masked up as it was sprayed at a different time. I asked about it myself but David had his reasons for his own process. Each to their own, whatever works.

[charangohabsburg]

Looks great, and seems to be very versatile with its second function as an emergency mirror for shaving at backstage.

Its a 2k finish. Top was only masked up as it was sprayed at a different time. I asked about it myself but David had his reasons for his own process. Each to their own, whatever works.

It would be cool to know why it works better for him.