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Quick update for you guys. it’s been progressing, but we’ve run into an issue in that the top that I chose is cutting it really close in terms of size necessary for this particular project. So I may have to choose another one, unfortunately. I’ll update you guys again when we figure out what we’re going to do about that. But for now, here’s the progress on the neck and wings:





The hole in the headstock still needs to be cut out, and the wings cut to shape. That should all happen relatively quickly once we figure the top issue out. Then it’s onto chambering and gluing everything together.

Just got the wings glued up. Should be able to do shaping and chambering soon. Went with a bit shallower headstock angle this time in order to avoid having to do joinery shenanigans like on the acoustic.

More progress. Everything is ready for shaping and chambering now. Here’s a couple pictures with the shape template so you guys can see what it’ll look like better:



Shaping and chambering should get done this weekend, all going ideally. We did make a slight change to the upper horn in order to fix the issue we were having with the top, but it still looks good in my opinion.

What do you think?

I like it!! VERY nice wood choices for that neck-through design!!

Shadoweclipse13 wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 11, 2020 10:13 pm

I like it!! VERY nice wood choices for that neck-through design!!

Thanks! I was honestly really hesitant about using purpleheart since I’m not that big a fan of purple. But I’m told it actually ages into more of a reddish brown over time. Not sure if it’ll do that with nitrocellulose on it, but between that and the brown stain we’re planning to use on the back I think I’ll be satisfied with the end results.

Still not sure what color I’ll go with for the top/headstock though. I may let the forum decide once I get a picture of everything glued together and I can show you guys.

I've not yet used purpleheart for a project (though I love the look of it) and I've never been a fan of nitro finishes, so I doubly can't help. What are thinking about for colors on the headstock? Any colors you're between at the moment, or are you totally up in the air?

Shadoweclipse13 wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 12, 2020 12:08 am

I've not yet used purpleheart for a project (though I love the look of it) and I've never been a fan of nitro finishes, so I doubly can't help. What are thinking about for colors on the headstock? Any colors you're between at the moment, or are you totally up in the air?

Well, the plan is to have a headstock veneer from the top itself, and so I was thinking I’d just dye the headstock the same color as the top. Since the hardware will mostly be chrome with some black I thought some kind of red would match well. Not sure exactly what shade. Totally open to alternative suggestions though.

Yeah, I'm not sure. Usually black and red go well together, but I'm having a hard time visualizing the whole thing right now... I must need sleep

hillerheilman wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 11, 2020 10:22 pm

Still not sure what color I’ll go with for the top/headstock though. I may let the forum decide once I get a picture of everything glued together and I can show you guys.

You may find that the decision kind of makes itself as things come together. (That seems to be how things go for me, at least) The fact that you're looking for a solution will make you keep your eyes open looking for ideas, you may come across something that triggers one. I'm sure your decision making process will come up with something good.

I love the neck - through design! I’ve also found that purpleheart ages out of purple towards a nice brown, I have only used it to accent woodworking projects that were not musically inclined. Beautiful design and coordination with a proficient luthier , that is some fine woodworking ! I’m also humbled by your ability to overcome obstacles in such a joyous and satisfying way to get your music out, thank you for that.

So, another update for everyone.

Rough shaping is done, just waiting on a router bit for the chambering:




The issues we’ve been having with the top are unfortunately persisting somewhat, and on top of that after he’s put it together as one piece and sanded it it doesn’t really look as exciting to either of us. There’s a lot less figuring than I initially thought, and the knots at the bottom are also less appealing than I initially suspected. I don’t think it’ll look good as a headstock veneer either. So we have decided to go with a different one.

Here’s the original:



I was personally pretty excited about this one initially. But after sanding and all the preparation it doesn’t look nearly as good as it did before. The figuring has become somewhat patchy and odd. Not what I want, since we’re going with a transparent finish.

I think this new one will be a lot better:



What do you think?

More progress:




Working on fretboard next.

That quilted maple is really gonna pop!

Scout wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 19, 2020 2:41 pm

That quilted maple is really gonna pop!

That’s what we’re hoping! The plan at this point is to dye the back a sort of coffee-ish brown, and leave the edges of the top plain to resemble binding. Then, with it being mostly neutral colors at that point, anything could work aesthetically for the top itself. I’m still thinking red but not positive. Gonna wait until routing is done and I can see it with the pickups in it to make a decision.

Fretboard is done and ready for gluing:



Some final shaping needs to get done before gluing everything together. Hoping to get everything done and ready for finish sometime after the 4th