WezV - building an electric with the laser cutter.

WezV · July 2023

It's the match with the rest of the body I was unsure of, and a burst could disguise the discrepancy

If I was starting again I think I would have matched it to the body a lot more - kept it mostly maple, but cut a border of the Bosse to go to the outer edge of the line, or even fully inlaid it in the mahogany neck blank. I thought having the mahogany underneath would be enough to give a similar look to the body, but it isn't quite there for me. Nothing I mind too much, certainly not enough to re-do it, it just catches my eye as something I could have done better

paganskins · July 2023

The headstock border is really heavy compared to the body's, is it heavier than the 'radiogram' motif behind the bridge or is that just an optical illusion?

Another great build @WezV ;

WezV · July 2023

same thickness as the motif, which originally matched a double border on the body - but that wasn't engraved as cleanly

paganskins · July 2023

Must be the angle with the headstock in the foreground, if it matches the motif there's consistency there.

Will the top and head plate darken with age?

WezV · July 2023

It will yellow a bit over time

SteveF · July 2023

I think the thicker border on the headstock looks good. Nice truss rod cover too.

WezV · July 2023

Yes, I'm particularly happy with that detail... especially since it sits so nicely in its recess. The laser is allowing a level of accuracy I haven't achieved before.

Also trying a new lacquer (new to me)on this as I am not going to relic it and heard this can work quicker than the other "nitro" types I have sprayed.

I've gone for Morrels 280 pre-cat lacquer, 90% gloss. It's got more solids than the stuff I am used to and after 2 coats of sealer and 3 coats of lacquer I could have buffed and called it done. you can see that on the truss rod cover and pics from yesterday before I levelled it off.

It self levels nicely, dries quick, you can recoat safely with 30 mins. It sanded well without clogging when I levelled it off today, less than 24 hours. Will do 3 more coats, level off once more and spray a final light coat.

blobb · July 2023

The thick border of the headstock balances with the thick lines of the motif between pickups and behind bridge. The thin line body border is a lighter detail associated with the body and works to bring the thicker lines to prominence. Overall, it works well with the dark/light contrast of the natural tones and the rounded body edge. What's behind the headstock? It should be similar tone to the body edge. The only thing for me that doesn't balance is that it isn't a double cut! But each to their own...

WezV · July 2023

It's a reclaimed mahogany neck... not sure of the exact species. It's a bit pinker than the warm orange tones of the bosse cedar body. I did consider tinting it to match better, but think leaving it as is will be safer

WezV · July 2023

These are the covers I sprayed on Sunday - leveled and first buff today. I will see how the lacquer acts over the next few weeks.

WezV · July 2023

The last coat went on an hour ago

normula1 · July 2023

A wow isn't enough. That's looking really good.

WezV · August 2023

Test fit

I swapped some parts on the pickups I wound as they were cheap aliexpress p90 kits and it showed, think ive only used the bobbins and pole pieces now. The bridge is now 8k, Alnico 3, brass baseplate. Neck is 7.8k, Alnico 2, nickel baseplate. The 50/52mm spacing on them aligns perfectly

Headstock looks a little small because of the border. I think i prefer the longer version of this shape I used on my acoustic. I'm not sure the big button grovers are right for this, it's giving King Charles vibes.

I'm very happy with the rest.

WezV · August 2023

One issue I'm having is getting buffing compound out the engraving. I've cleaned it with isopropyl and an old toothbrush. It's going to take a few goes I think

Roland · August 2023

Nice piece of work Wez

PhilKing · August 2023

I think it lools great

SteveF · August 2023

Looks great. I love how the inlays mirror the patterns on the body.

PeteC · August 2023

Its amazing Wez.

It has a kind of “Zematis meets Dobro” look to it somehow - but classier !

WezV · August 2023

Well the zemaitis bit was intentional, dobro was not, but I see what you mean.

blobb · August 2023

Lovely.

DartmoorHedgehog · August 2023

Very cool

roberty · August 2023

Love it! Outstanding

WezV · August 2023

Thanks all.

I'm happy with how it's turned out. Especially considering I started with some woods I have been avoiding for this test. An overly heavy body blank and low grade maple top.

The top has popped nicely with finish, and I think the level of flame works well with the other decoration. The chambering has helped with the weight as the whole thing weighs 8lb 3oz - I think that is more than reasonable for this style of build.

It's added up to a lot more than the sum of it's parts.

I'm just waiting on some knobs from eBay. I was going to make some, but spotted these inlaid rosewood ones. I think they could work well on this, maybe slightly reshaped and with a dot or top stripe added

Image: https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/LCsAAOSwA8Bj2PKn/s-l1600.jpg

digitalkettle · August 2023

Macarons...lovely

TTony · August 2023

Really like the look of that one Wez. It's come together really well. Congrats!

Gizmo · August 2023

Great job, im going to have to look at throwning one of these on the back on my cnc's X axis.

DartmoorHedgehog · August 2023

WezV said:

I'm just waiting on some knobs from eBay. I was going to make some, but spotted these inlaid rosewood ones. I think they could work well on this, maybe slightly reshaped and with a dot or top stripe added

digitalkettle said:

Macarons...lovely

They remind me of the ones I made for my mandolin last year (mine were grenadilla and beech). I had to resist eating mine as well - definitely look like they should be tasty.

Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51969325133_d959bcda91_o.jpg

WezV · August 2023

I'm not saying I'm the first to do an inset top, but its not a common thing to see.

Is it a coincidence that I have seen 2 other well known UK builders post progress shots of inset top builds in the last couple of weeks???

Not the first time, i'm sure it won't be the last.

Philly_Q · August 2023

Name names!

WezV · August 2023

Nah. I'm not looking to make enemies.

We all borrow from established designs and we will all be influenced by cool ideas we see.

I'm okay with that. It may just be that I share similar influences to those builders, or they have subconsciously been influenced without realising where from.

I look forward to seeing what others do with the concept.

I was once accused of stealing someone's designs, but I know I didn't as I had never seen them. I was able to show lots of sketches to show how I had merged a few ideas and come up with something similar though

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WezV - building an electric with the laser cutter.

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