First Build

[Pre-CBS]

The finish on the body and back of neck was done by Warmoth and the “inlay art” on the headstock was done by reknown inlay artist Craig Lavin.
The pickup covers, knobs and switch tip were custom designed, and built by JAT custom guitar parts.


The body is a chambered one piece swamp ash with a select quilted maple top finished on the front in “Caribbean burst”, and blue stain on the back, and is loaded with Lindy Fralin blues specials. The bridge is a fender vintage hardtail, so there is no tremolo chamber.

The neck is a Warmoth modern construction (compound radius, SRV profile) AAAA birdseye maple with a select Pau Ferro fingerboard. The Warmoth finish on the back of the neck is the vintage tinted polyurethane. The fretmarkers are Arizona Turquois on the face, and Mother of Pearl on the edge. The inlay art consists of various natural materials including Abalone and Mother of Pearl.

I have enjoyed the results of this project immensely, and this has become my favorite guitar.

 

[stratamania]

Welcome to the forum.

Congratulations it looks different. The inlay and overall colour choices give a hint of the sea.

Can you post some pictures of the back of the guitar too ?

 

[Verne Bunsen]

Very unique, nicely done!

 

[Pre-CBS]

Thanks for the compliment, and I will post more images.

With the Caribbean burst finish, I was going for a kind of tropic and sea theme, at some point I will customize the pick guard with a more land based design (maybe a tortoise). I will probably use the same guy that did the inlay on the headstock, he does fantastic work and I have seen other pickguards that he inlayed. He studied marine biology and he is very passionate about his love for sea creatures. That being said with Warmoth's logo being what looks like a turtle playing guitar, I thought in would be a cool obscure reference  to the Warmoth company logo.

 

[stratamania]

Thanks, the ash looks good under the blue stain.  ccasion14:

 

[rgand]

Looks good. I like the sea theme. I can see why it's your favorite.

 

[musicispeace]

That is great! Welcome to the world of partscasters.  ccasion14:

 

[ptirman]

That is gorgeous.

 

[Kublai]

I've been admiring Lavin's work for a long time. That is a nice looking guitar.

 

[Pre-CBS]

Craig's inlay work on this guitar is really incredible. When you touch the finish there are no detectable seams on the pieces them selves or the transition from the inlay material and the face of the headstock. A close examination of this reveals what I would describe as a "Jewel of the Crown" on this instrument.

I had not initially planned to have inlay work done on this guitar neck, rather I was going to use a decal. However I did not really come up with any satisfactory designs, nor did I want to put a fender label or leave it blank. I was going to have Craig do something that reflected my name or initials, but when I started to look at his work and his interest in marine life, it only made sense to take full advantage of his passion for this style. I chose a turtle because that is what appears to be the stylized creature on Warmoth's logo, and I wanted to make this obscure reference.

 

[Cederick]

That was cool!

I always thought that particular top/finish looks like the bottom of a exotic sea shore  :glasses9:

 

[Logrinn]

Wow, very nice.
I love the knobs. I have to check out JAT myself.
Thanks for sharing.