MIMF

Well here's the first concept design for the front. It will have the modified thumbnail pattern around the slot just like the back. I think I'm going to like this design.

I'm sure we're all really looking forward to the results!

Played around with it a little. Probably let it sit til the weekend and make a finale tracing and working drawing and then start on the modified thumbnail .
But nothing is finale until the gouge hit the wood...

Great stuff Chris!

Man, I've always been envious of your mechanical skills, jigs, etc. Now you reveal this artistic ability on top of all that?

I really, really like the cascade of leaves down the centerline.

These types of carvings are, typically, not my cup of tea but I like your design and am impressed by your execution so far. Keep up the good work. I can't wait to watch this unfold.

The thunmbnail pattern on the front meets differently between the slots than on the back, Is it a different width? Not obvious from the pics.

David Boehnker wrote:The thunmbnail pattern on the front meets differently between the slots than on the back, Is it a different width? Not obvious from the pics.

I think that's because the nut end of the tuner slots are beveled on the face to allow the strings to clear, making the slot length at the face longer. If he would have followed the same motif on the face the two thumbnail runs would intersect

Yes, it is designed differently because of the string slot ramp. Keep in mind that this is a ruff concept drawing . There is much refining to be done. I have to start somewhere and putting an idea down on paper is always interesting. things may change along the way too.

String slot ramps. Doh. Invisible to me the first time I looked.

I'm calling it 12hrs. carving to this stage.

Looking great Chris! What chisels are you using?

Mostly an 11/3mm,11/2mm,11/.5mm gouges and some checkering tools and some knives and a homemade marking gage/ compass.

update

Nice!

Did some design and layout work today. Used a white transfer paper from the fabric store to transfer it over to head. I'll need to clean it up when carving but it's in the park.

Did some ruffing in. Canned the white line transfer paper (lines too thick for me and they kept getting rubbed off. Went back to just gluing on the paper drawing and scoring in the lines with a knife and chisels.
Time for a beer...

Nice!

Update

Awesome!