First Acoustic Guitar Build Complete

[Christopher Perkins]

Hey all

I am happy to say, after studying under Al Carruth for over two years, I have finally completed my first acoustic guitar. Any inputs, thoughts, constructive critisism is encouraged

Top: Bearclawed Italian Spruce
Back and Sides: Figured Walnut
Rosette: Handcarved highly figured walnut and Paua Abalone
Binding/Fretboard/Headstock Laminate/Bridge: Macassar Ebony

[Mark Swanson]

The guitar looks real nice! The photos are too big however.

[Greg Carter]

That is your first build? I should be so lucky on my fifth or tenth build! Absolutely beautiful in execution!

How was ending the walnut? Did you soak it at all? Or just a spritz before applying heat?

[Christopher Perkins]

Greg, thank you so much! I am very pleased with how it turned out. And the sound....WOW! I'm definitely hooked. Surprisingly, I didn't need to soak the walnut, it was actually fairly cooperative in regard to bending. It just needed a spritz. The ebony binding, however, was NOT so cooperative. The binding took more than a little coaxing...

[Bryan Bear]

That's really nice! What is the finish? I'm sure We'll see more from you in the future.

[Christopher Perkins]

Rock hard table top varnish...unfortunately, they are discontinuing it, so I suppose im going to have to find a different varnish to work with. Any suggestions?

[Ryan Mazzocco]

wow. that is really nice. Is this your first guitar ever? or just your first acoustic? cuz it looks like you've done this before.

[Christopher Perkins]

Thank you so much, its my first guitar ever.

[Brian Hawkins]

Nice work!! Being your first I would say that you are off to a great start!

[Nick Dingle]

I think you should stop posting pictures of your first build if it looks like that. It'll likely put off anyone else from trying this game....

Just kidding. Beautiful build.

[Waddy Thomson]

A fine looking guitar for a first or a 5th or even a 10th. Good job!

[Darren Galloway]

Rock hard table top varnish...unfortunately, they are discontinuing it, so I suppose im going to have to find a different varnish to work with. Any suggestions?

Look into Tru Oil. Easy to work with and finishes to a high gloss or satin finish depending on how you work it.

[Bob Francis]

I think you should stop posting pictures of your first build if it looks like that. It'll likely put off anyone else from trying this game....

Just kidding. Beautiful build.

I'm with Nick,
What a great build!

[Michael Lewis]

You are off to a great start. You had a great instructor to put you on the right track, now it is up to you to carry on. Alan has mentored several very successful guitar makers.

[Wayne Brown]

Great looking first guitar!

[Chris Perkins]

Hi Christopher I felt compelled to answer this post because we share a name! That's a very fine looking guitar you've made there. I love walnut and that's a particularly fine example you've used on your guitar. All the best with your guitar making from your namesake on the other side of the Atlantic.

Chris Perkins

[Christopher Perkins]

Thank you all so much for your kind words. After two years, all i can see is the mistakes, but Al says thats the way it is sometimes...so....on to the next! ....and nice to meet you Chris Perkins, my name is Chris Perkins!

[Matthew Lau]

I wish that my first guitar looked like that!

If you built it with Al, I'm sure that it's world class.

[Pat Foster]

Awesome first guitar! Of course, with Alan Carruth as a teacher, you could hardly go wrong.
I would guess that he's found an alternative to the Behlen's Rockhard. Do you happen to know what he's using?

I used Rockhard for a while and am now testing Ace Interior oil varnish. Others have suggested Pratt & Lambert's #38, also an oil varnish.

Pat

[Christopher Perkins]

pat, he has not yet found a suitable replacement for rockhard. I will certainly look into your recommendations. Thank you!