Maricopa's 2012 Challenge Build Thread -- COMPLETED

[Guitar novice]

Looking forward to watching this one. Go with the euca but of course I'm biased.

[PapaLion]

Since you are the senior leader for the Arizona woodbeaters union I will expect some leadership in this challenge? I know we can all count on you.

Eucalyptus is twisty inside, sands better than it cuts... just a thought. Back of mind thought, it'll be 100 b4 we know it.

looking forward to reading your build and learnin' sumthin'.

[Maricopa]

Senior? Hey I'm only 45! I don't know if you'll learn much but I'll try and do a better build thread than I usually do.

Yeah this stuff is super-chippy. I had it re-sawn at Woodworkers Source and before I knew it the guy was running it through their planer!!! Fortunately they have some helical uber-blade in it and it did pretty well but I stopped him right away and told him I'd bring it down the rest of the way with my sander.

83º or more today so yes summer be knockin' on our door. I've got to get these finishes done this weekend but I'm going to try and get some of the basic stuff done in between spraying sessions.

[nosmo]

That is one nice flock of wood...or is it a heard. Anyway, I can't wait to see what you build.

[Maricopa]

Baby steps. Trimmed off some of that maple for the top and joined it up.
I decided to save the Euc. for something else and figured that maple would give me a little more latitude on how dark to make the top. Also think I'll do a 'PRS' edge treatment rather than binding and the other stuff is too dark for that.

Here's a shot of the re-done workroom where I moved all the 'dusty' tools. The router table I made from the remnants of the workbench I ripped out of there. The top is 1/2" mdf laminated to the 3/4" ply top and covered with about 10 coats of poly and some paste wax.
There's also a spindle sander hiding off to the left.

[R. Stratenstein]

Nice. As I said in another post elsewhere--clean, organized shop--I'll have to look into that. Must be something new. Looking forward to seeing the PRS edge treatment, as binding seems kind of intimidating to my inexperienced sensibilities.

(Not even a little happy tree?)

[Maricopa]

Thanks. My shop is slowly getting there. It's actually a very large garage, 1,200 sq ft but it's filled with screen printing equipment, an office, a car and all the guitar stuff. Before I cleared out that room everything was tucked into corners etc and it all had to be hauled out or uncovered to use...and be put back away for work the next day. which was a big PITA.
Now I've got to get some ducting run to that room so the swamp cooler reaches it or I won't be able to use it this summer. It was 85 today and already starting to get uncomfortable.

A little more progress. The sapele was 8/4 (1-7/8") so I re-sawed off a bit and joined the body up. Need to lay out the cavities and do some drilling, it'll be at least tomorrow before I can run the thickness sander.

Last is a shot of the happy little top and back.

[Maricopa]

Did I say, 'radically hollowed'? Wish I could lose weight this easily.

Roughed it out with Forstner bits and will clean it up with the router later.
The pickups will be surface mounts attached to the top. Looking for a very woody sound.

[Mike Simpson]

Originally Posted by Maricopa

Looking for a very woody sound.

Gorn...

[Maricopa]

I love that one. Tinny, tinny!

[tklaavo]

Wow..
And I thought my design would be hollow, but this is about as hollow as it can get.
I'll keep an eye on this!

[crazydave911]

Originally Posted by Maricopa

I won't even show youse guys the stack on the other side of the room. Koa, walnut, mango, quilted mahogany, flamed redwood, etc. I wouldn't want to be responsible for any fits, convulsions or drooling.

Mango?

[Maricopa]

Mango (note, not one of mine, just an example).
http://www.acguitar.com/media_files/...CreekMango.jpg

[RogerC]

Nice! That is definitely some radical hollowing.

[Maricopa]

A little more done after work today.
First I hauled out 'Bertha' the 600lb, 36" drum sander and ran the body and top down to size.

The dust hood was damaged before I bought it so it gets rolled out into the driveway outside the shop (note: do NOT wear a tie when operating!).

[Maricopa]

Then I put the new router table to use cleaning up the body cavity and designed and cut out an 'f' hole.

After I get it cleaned up I'll glue on the top.

[R. Stratenstein]

600 lbs ?
I guess Bertha's first name is BIG.

Nice looking F hole. Did you freehand it?

[martyb1]

Originally Posted by R. Stratenstein

600 lbs ?
I guess Bertha's first name is BIG.

Nice looking F hole. Did you freehand it?

OOh

[Maricopa]

I did a Google image search on archtop f holes and went from there. Not totally original, but not totally ripped off. I never liked the Fender ones but wanted to keep it somewhat traditional/classy.

Here's the obligatory 'loothier' shot of me doing the final tap tone adjustment. This top should be perfect for Open D slide tunes....

[Barncaster]

Originally Posted by Maricopa

I did a Google image search on archtop f holes and went from there. Not totally original, but not totally ripped off. I never liked the Fender ones but wanted to keep it somewhat traditional/classy.

Here's the obligatory 'loothier' shot of me doing the final tap tone adjustment. This top should be perfect for Open D slide tunes....

I think the caption should read "I love you baby!"

Barncaster