Update: Some Recent Projects

Sometimes you get started into a project and realize, as you go, that it's going to be WAY bigger than you expected... that's how this Penco acoustic was. In order to properly "reset" the neck, I ended up replacing the fingerboard with a thicker piece of wood (African Blackwood) and building the new neck angle into the thicker board, so that it was thinner at the nut and thicker at the body.

Of course, that isn't how you're supposed to do neck resets! But this guitar was built with a neck/body joint that couldn't be easily taken apart. It seems unusual, but since it was a family heirloom, we had to find a way! It ended up being a fun project, especially since I got to do a little more inlay work.

The fingerboard inlay reads, "Ad Crucem" - Latin for "To the Cross". Scrolls on the bridge read "Tetelestai - Paid in Full", referring to Jesus Christ's last words on the cross.

I recently completed work on an old Fender F-70 Acoustic. It came into the shop to have a nasty rib crack fixed, but ended up staying for a neck reset and bridge reglue, too.

Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of the finished product, but it plays very well and sounds great! The crack repair was especially challenging, but turned out well - I had to be pretty inventive to brace the crack inside before inserting a spline. It was also a good lesson in finish touch-up.

And while we're at it, here's a couple pictures of my shop:

Recent Inlay Work

Here are a couple of recent inlay projects. The first was on a five-string bass I built for myself while I was in high school, and finally got around to selling - but not before refretting it and having some inlay fun along the way.

Nothing screams for inlay work like a fretless guitar. I was honored to be given complete artistic freedom from my customer on this gothic scene made of Mother of Pearl, Bloodwood, Wenge, and Rosewood.

Gallery: four-string, Macassar Ebony

Joel's Macassar-topped bass is finally finished!

Gallery: Four-string Singlecut

Here are a few wildly professional pictures of a bass that went to its owner before I had time to take some better shots! This one was really fun to build, as there are lots of construction tecniques I hadn't used before.

News: Pictures from Class

Here are just a few pictures from class here in Red Wing - both acoustic and electric construction classes. It's been a blast!

And here are all four of my current projects together in my incredibly spacious apartment: