Hi, I have been building ukuleles for several years now here in Hawaii giving me a bit of an edge in woodworking and had 2 electric guitar builds that sat for a couple of years. I actually started thinking of graduating to guitarbuilding several years ago when I saw the first few videos of Mark on you tube with the dim shadowy lighting and all. I thought that was a nice touch and he seemed like a no nonsense luthier. Dig his thought process. Very real. Recently I bumped into his channel again and wala!!! It instantly made me get off my butt and get these builds done already and after 2 years sitting on it with just body and neck with no cavities. It got me thinking, staging out the steps and most importantly gave me the confidence to marry the neck unto the body. Finished both in 2 weeks. Unreal! It intonates really good. I am on my third now. By far, Bailey and crew have been the most inspiring builders online. Now I got the bug for it. Making jigs, molds, cauls etc. specifically for tune o matic style guitars. It feels like I am part of this revolution and it is extremely satisfying. Cannot wait to use your chisel for the bracing on soundboards. Learned so much. Thank you Mark and Carol.
Best,
Clinton
Cheers Clinton - very much appreciated! Glad you are enjoying the live streams - you might find guitar making easier than Ukes just because they are bigger...I certainly do... Your Guitar Maker's Chisel will go out in the next batch - thank you very much.
Measure twice, cut once...
@clinton That is GORGEOUS!! Lovely colour and finish (one of Stewmacs new Purples? or is it actually Purpleheart!?) - would love to see some build pics - internals etc..I bet @jamesbisset will like this...
Measure twice, cut once...
@markbailey It is Purple Heart top and neck, Koa Fretboard and back, Mahogany chambered rim/body. Did not realize how dense and hard Purpleheart is. It dulls your blades quick.
- @david-johnson09 Surprisingly it was not tough carving Purpleheart. I found saw cutting and drilling was a little bit more challenging than normal.