Guild Thunderbird replica

[FrankRay]

Apparently it was a thunderbird Jorma Kaukonen played on White Rabbit and Somebody to Love. At least, Kaukonen said it was, so I guess he should know. Check his out here
Awesome work so far!!

[Tumtrah]

They were famously unstable, apparently it's a huge reason why there aren't many vintage examples left. That and Dan Auerbach keeps buying them all

If it was me designing it I would've widened the stand and given it more width at the bottom like an upside down T shape to give it more grip and balance.

[Tumtrah]

Love Thunderbirds, are you going to give it the infamous kickstand?

Yes I did it, don't know if this was a good idea. Seems to be very instable...

Very nice!! Is the body wood Idigbo?

Thank you! I think the wood is a kind of Obeche/Ayous/ African Whitewood. I got some planks years ago and its lightweight and soft. I used the heaviest pieces to build the body. I built a Firebird in the past and reinforced the neck with maple layers and it's a very resonant guitar.

They were famously unstable, apparently it's a huge reason why there aren't many vintage examples left. That and Dan Auerbach keeps buying them all

If it was me designing it I would've widened the stand and given it more width at the bottom like an upside down T shape to give it more grip and balance.

I didn't think much about that and I thougt it will look cool. Aside of that the stand will add a little weight to the lightweight body.

[Tumtrah]

Apparently it was a thunderbird Jorma Kaukonen played on White Rabbit and Somebody to Love. At least, Kaukonen said it was, so I guess he should know. Check his out here
Awesome work so far!!

Thank you very much! Didn't know that Jorma played a Thunderbird.

[FrankRay]

He ditched it for a ES-335 pretty quickly after recording Surrealistic Pillow, but you can't argue with the solo on Somebody To Love.. ***sigh***

[Tumtrah]

After contouring the body and sanding, I glued the neck in place. I tried to pore fill using shellac and pumice powder. Pore filling always tends to be a mess, I have to practice more...
I sprayed several clear coats with in between sanding followed by bursting and more clear coats. I'm always relieved when varnishing is off of my shoulders.

[antisymmetric]

I'm always relieved when varnishing is off of my shoulders.

I can relate to that sentiment! You should be feeling pretty good with these results.

[Tumtrah]

Thank you! But my finishing results are never perfect and never will be. Respect to you other guys who get it right!

[jthomas]

Looks "awful..." damn good!

[Unicorn Warrior]

Apparently it was a thunderbird Jorma Kaukonen played on White Rabbit and Somebody to Love. At least, Kaukonen said it was, so I guess he should know. Check his out here
Awesome work so far!!

Makes me want a T bird now. I was on a big airplane kick for a bit last year.

[Unicorn Warrior]

I'm always relieved when varnishing is off of my shoulders.

I can relate to that sentiment! You should be feeling pretty good with these results.

I second that. This burst looks great.

[Tumtrah]

Thank you!

Time for wet sanding.

[Tumtrah]

Waterslide decal... Unsure if I should redo it. Hope it looks better after applying clear coats.

[Tumtrah]

Finished! So far I am very happy with the result, plays and sounds well. I quitted the slider switch plate, maybe I'll add it in the future.

[Salfaromeab]

Hell yes that is a thing of beauty. How do those pickups sound?