Page 1 of 2

Geoff Wight's first acoustic build

Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 2:57 pm
by Geoff Wight
So, after a year and a half, she's finally finished!
I have to say I'm very pleased with the outcome considering it's
my first attempt at an acoustic guitar.
I can't seem to put it down.

Specs: EI rosewood back, sides and head plate, WRC top,
cocobolo binding, mahogany neck, ebony FB, bridge and pins, spruce bracing,
boxwood head and tail blocks, various MOP inlay, bone nut and saddle, Waverley
open back tuners, hide glue (for everything except attaching top and back as I
wasn't confident that I would have enough time so used PVA, and epoxy for the
inlay), french polish finish.

I learned a lot with this project and overcame many difficulties that I will
attempt to avoid in the next one. The interface of the FB extention and top
will be better handled on future builds as well as using nitro on the body.
I'll continue to use shellac on the neck as I love the feel.

Many thanks to those who shared their knowledge and experience on this forum
and answered all of my questions without me having to ask any :)

Any and all questions welcomed.
And now for some pictures.

Geoff

Re: Geoff Wight's first acoustic build

Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 3:07 pm
by Geoff Wight
More pics

Re: Geoff Wight's first acoustic build

Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 3:07 pm
by Geoff Wight
more

Re: Geoff Wight's first acoustic build

Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 3:13 pm
by Geoff Wight
More

Re: Geoff Wight's first acoustic build

Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 3:14 pm
by Geoff Wight
More

Re: Geoff Wight's first acoustic build

Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 3:15 pm
by Geoff Wight
More

Re: Geoff Wight's first acoustic build

Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 3:16 pm
by Geoff Wight
FB inlay

Re: Geoff Wight's first acoustic build

Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 3:21 pm
by Bryan Bear
Looks great. Did you do all that inlay? Surely this isn't your first inlay attempt.?.

You don't happen to be the same Geoff Wright who went to SEMO in the early/mid 90s?

Re: Geoff Wight's first acoustic build

Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 4:53 pm
by Geoff Wight
Thanks! I have built 2 electric solidbody guitars previous to this one. I did inlay at the dot locations on the first one and on it's headstock. I did practice a bit before the first guitar's inlay though. The previous attempts went well so decided to go for something more elaborate on this one.
Last name Wight and not Wright (common error) so no.

Re: Geoff Wight's first acoustic build

Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 6:06 pm
by Bryan Bear
Geoff Wight wrote: Last name Wight and not Wright (common error) so no.
Oops, sorry. Well the fact that we didn't hang out in college doesn't change how impressed I am with your inlays <g>

Re: Geoff Wight's first acoustic build

Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 6:50 pm
by Mike Wilson
Nice work!

Re: Geoff Wight's first acoustic build

Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 7:48 pm
by Arnt Rian
Ambitious first acoustic! Very nice, keep up the good work.

Re: Geoff Wight's first acoustic build

Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 9:49 pm
by Geoff Wight
Thank's guys.
Correction of original post - basswood for head and tail blocks, not boxwood.
Geoff

Re: Geoff Wight's first acoustic build

Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 11:10 pm
by Steve Senseney
Nice work. Much better than my first, second, ....etc.

Re: Geoff Wight's first acoustic build

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 12:52 am
by Dave Anderson
Congratulations! Good job on your 1st !

Re: Geoff Wight's first acoustic build

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 1:03 am
by Mark Swanson
That looks really great and I hope it sounds and plays like it looks! Congratulations.

Re: Geoff Wight's first acoustic build

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 3:12 am
by Geoff Wight
Thanks again!
The sound was at first slightly muted or muffled but has gotten brighter after a couple of weeks of playing. It's got a warm (WRC?) open sound with good balance. I would say it is a good match for it's looks :) A testament to the refinement of steel string guitar design (at least as envisioned by Gibson, as this is a L-00 themed guitar) that a decent sounding instrument can be had by merely building to the recipe without any attempt to optimize the sound. I know there is improvement to be had but am heartened that it's as good as this at the start of my building because at 60 I don't see making a lot. If anything, the bass maybe lacks some definition compared to my Gurian, not quite as clear or bright, but that's a 36 year old jumbo with spuce top. I'm very happy with the sound myself but hope to let others play it and hear what they say. I left the neck a little chunky and with the 1-3/4" width at the nut I'm finding it very easy to finger pick without falling over my own fingers, something that seems to happen to me on narrower necks. I'm appreciating the smaller body as well.

Re: Geoff Wight's first acoustic build

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 1:51 pm
by Ron Belanger
looks great congrats

Re: Geoff Wight's first acoustic build

Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 10:45 pm
by Schennelly Stoughton
That is an amazing 1st , really looking forward to more of your work .

Re: Geoff Wight's first acoustic build

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 1:20 am
by Greg Robinson
Hi Tech1230,
Please note that we require the use of full names (first and last) as usernames on this forum, and do not accept aliases. Please let us know your name so we can update your registration. Thanks.