My first scratch build, J-45 style

[Dave D]

Hi all,
This is my first attempt at a scratch build, in the style of the famous Gibson J45. I used the Gore/Gilet books as my bible for the construction.
I went with a radial brace pattern on the back instead of the usual ladder bracing. I strung it up last week and have played it for a while each day. From a bit of playing so far,this is an awesomely loud guitar, but well-balanced from the lows to the highs. Sitka spruce top, cherry back and sides, and ebony fingerboard and bridge. Rosewood bindings and tail wedge.

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Thanks for looking. Any and all comments welcome.

[lamanoditrento]

Looks really great Dave. What is the finish ?

[Dave D]

Thank you. The finish on the body is rattle-can NC lacquer (Watco brand) overtop of a couple of light epoxy coats, sanded back (mostly to fill the rosewood bindings, but I did the body too). For the neck, I used epoxy to fill and then a shellac sealer coat, followed by many thin coats of Tru-oil.

[seeaxe]

Wow, that looks classy. Great job. Love the colours and the grain in the cherry. The purflings look pretty sharp too...

[Dave D]

Thanks Richard. Classy is what I was striving for!

[kiwigeo]

Nice work Dave. Is the top falcate braced?

[Dave D]

Thanks Martin. It has regular x-bracing with tone bars and finger braces.

[pat foster]

REALLY nice, tastefully appointed, first scratch build or not!

Pat