Rosewood and Spruce Acoustic Guitar

Matt – that is beautiful! Is the bridge black walnut? Looks almost purple.

-- Todd

Good job! what an accomplishment!

I have hopes of making a guitar this spring. It will be mock up of a Gibson Explorer, maybe down the road I will try my hand at an acoustic too. Im a bit nervous about getting it right.

-- Rob - Indianapolis IN - Learning... one mistake at a time...

i have plans, and the wood, just no time to embark on this journey. Glad you jumped on the opportunity. Looks awesome.

-- Scott, Irmo SC

Absolutely beautiful work! I can appreciate what went into that as I built myself a classical guitar way back in the 1970s out of a book on “how to build a guitar”. Love the abalone perfling!

-- Always remember: It is a mathematical certainty that half the people in this country are below average in intelligence!

Beautiful guitar. It’s my dream (fantasy?) to make my own guitar some day. I’m envious of your work!

-- Brian Famous :: Charlotte, NC :: http://www.FamousArtisan.com

@Todd, the bridge and fingerboard are also Indian Rosewood.

@Rob I’m thinking about doing an electric next. Hoping it will be easier but electrics seem to have their own unique challenges.

@Scott, haha, I think I didn’t itime either. This was a 40th birthday gift for a friend who turned 41 last month.

-- Matt - Phoenix, AZ

Yeah Matt, it was challenging. I was able to look inside some expensive classical guitars using a mirror on a stick to see how things were done. But the book was pretty comprehensive. The guitar came out surprisingly well though. I guess I should really post it here as a project.

-- Always remember: It is a mathematical certainty that half the people in this country are below average in intelligence!

I stand in awe to anyone that can build a musical instrument such as this, craftsmanship at its finest.

-- Brian - Hazelton, British Columbia

Wonderful job Matt! You’re getting good at this!

-- Bob, Missoula, MT -- Rocky Mountain Saw Works http://www.rmsaws.com/p/about-us.html -- ~Non multa sed multum~

@Brian Thank you!

@Bob. It has turned out better than that padauk uke! Also saw photos of those back saws you restored on the saw thread. I immediately went to your website to see if they were for sale. Seriously thinking about that brass back one if it’s still available, though I don’t need it. Awesome work on those and that Pearce one too!

-- Matt - Phoenix, AZ

Looks great! Did you do a traditional french polish or was it sprayed. Would love to play it

-- Just trying to build something beautiful

Wonderful Guitar, my oldest son has been thinking of getting into this type of woodworking

-- Norman - I never never make a mistake, I just change the design.

Looks Great! I’m working on a acoustic also right now- what finish did you use? Thanks!

-- Dale Miller Modesto, CA "I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13. "Woodworking minus patience equals firewood."

@Dale and Kaleb. It is French polished. I gave a ridiculous amount of thought to what finish to use. I ultimately opted for French polish because it’s cheap, and non toxic and looks great.

Getting a spray rig and doing nitro would likely have been easier but would definitely have been more expensive. French polish is also pretty forgiving, though labor intensive.

-- Matt - Phoenix, AZ

Thank you very much for the info on french polishing, Matt! How hard was the french polishing? Was it easy to get the hang of? That is the finish I would really like to do on my guitar, but from the little iv’e read about, it seems really daunting. Is there any good youtube videos you’d recommend? Thanks, I really appreciate your help! -Dale

-- Dale Miller Modesto, CA "I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13. "Woodworking minus patience equals firewood."