browser icon
You are using an insecure version of your web browser. Please update your browser!
Using an outdated browser makes your computer unsafe. For a safer, faster, more enjoyable user experience, please update your browser today or try a newer browser.

Tagged With: project

It’s a Duesy, Two

This entry is part 1 of 1 in the series Duesy II

When starting the build for the Double Dragon I had already decided to build a second. One for the raffle and one for me. At the time I wasn’t certain which would be which. I was down to one Maple burl cap on hand, so one of them would have to feature a “plain” top. I … Continue reading »

Categories: Uncategorized, Luthiery, Woodworking, Guitar Building | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Raffle Update – $14,000 for Make-a-Wish!

This entry is part 6 of 6 in the series Double Dragon

A New Home As planned, the “Double Dragon” was raffled off at intermission on the House of Blues Chicago mainstage. Make-a-Wish Illinois representative Wande Olude helped draw the winning tickets. This year we sold $7,010 in tickets, which was matched by our coprorate parent Alliance Data Systems, bringing the this year’s donation to $14,020. Special … Continue reading »

Categories: Uncategorized, Guitar Building, Luthiery | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Raffle Ready

This entry is part 5 of 6 in the series Double Dragon

Once the finish was sufficiently cured, I spent an afternoon sanding and buffing it out. This part I generally dread as I’m always anxious about sanding through the finish. No matter how slowly I go, when you’re wet sanding, the finish usually looks fine until after you remove the sandpaper and dry it off. Only … Continue reading »

Categories: Guitar Building, Woodworking, Luthiery | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Custom Dragon Hardware

This entry is part 4 of 6 in the series Double Dragon

Back when I first acquired the CNC, I also purchased some sheets of thin plywood, vinyl, and aluminum of varying thickness. My plan was to experiment with cutting these materials immediately after assembly to learn just what it could — and couldn’t — do. I instead wound up diving headlong into cutting wood and building … Continue reading »

Categories: Luthiery, Guitar Building | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dragon’s breath

This entry is part 3 of 6 in the series Double Dragon

Once the guitar was out of the clamps with the neck permanently secured, it was time for finishing it up. The neck joint was flushed with scrapers and sandpaper, and the entire guitar was given a good sanding down to 220. I’d already applied some finish to the inside of the sound hole and so … Continue reading »

Categories: Luthiery, Woodworking, Guitar Building | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Carving the Dragon’s Neck

This entry is part 2 of 6 in the series Double Dragon

The CNC cut a 3-degree angled neck pocket on its final pass. The bottom of the pocket came out great. Unfortunately I screwed up the top edge, which came out rough. Thankfully this wasn’t a huge issue – I pulled out my neck pocket routing jig and manually cleaned up the top. CNCs are great … Continue reading »

Categories: Woodworking, Guitar Building, Luthiery | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Introducing “Honeybee,” the Sapele-Tele

This entry is part 4 of 4 in the series Sapele Tele

After a few false starts, first with the headstock finish, next with the body, I finally managed to wrap this project up. I’ve been playing it for a few weeks now at rehearsal and plan to play it in my next gig. Here are the glamour shots fresh from the photographer. The specs: Body: Sapele … Continue reading »

Categories: Guitar Building, Luthiery | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Impressions: Stepcraft-2/600 CNC

It started innocently enough. The woman who was doing engraving work on my guitars was suddenly out of business. When I started searching the web for alternatives, I was presented with dozens of results for engraving machines and very few for services. This got me thinking that I could maybe just do it myself — buy … Continue reading »

Categories: Woodworking, Jigs & Tools, Guitar Building, Luthiery | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Chain Reaction

This entry is part 4 of 4 in the series Atomic Age Surfcaster

As this is the “Atomic Age” Surfcaster, it seems fitting to inlay an atom on the 12th fret. I’m naming the fretboard inlay design “Chain Reaction.” The basic idea is this is the chain reaction leading to the “nuclear burst” finish applied to the body and headstock. I wanted to do something colorful and beyond … Continue reading »

Categories: Luthiery, Guitar Building | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mahogany and Padauk Neck

This entry is part 2 of 4 in the series Atomic Age Surfcaster

Before routing the neck pocket in the body, we need a neck. This guitar again features a Gibson-style angled headstock made with a scarf joint. The bulk of this neck will be African Mahogany like the body. For this guitar I decided to also laminate a “racing stripe” down the center of the neck. A … Continue reading »

Categories: Guitar Building, Luthiery | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment