My First Build - VIP

[Ddbltrbl]

Well boys & girls... it's finally here!  :cool01:

Body: -
* VIP
* Black Korina on Black Korina
* Clear Gloss Finish
* Contoured heel
* Rear routed
* Recessed Controls

Neck: -
* Warmoth Pro construction
* Wenge with Black Ebony fretboard and no inlays
* 1 5/8" nut width
* GraphTech Black TUSQ XL nut
* 22 frets, SS6105
* Compound radius fretboard (10" to 16")
* Eric Clapton back contour

Everything arrive in perfect condition. The neck is my first Wenge neck and it's everything I was hoping for... smooth and fast. The Ebony is hard and scary dark. I found it very difficult to photograph the neck. It would just wash out in abient light, but flash made it look like a burnt broomstick. But, it's beautiful in person. It of course needs a little lovin to smooth up the ends of the frets and finish setting up the nut, but that was expected.

What can I say about the body, it's Black Korina and beautiful. Here's some pics:

I'll post more as it comes together!
And, I've really got to say thanks to the folks at Warmoth!!! I'm a happy customer! :icon_thumright:

 

[lafromla1]

WOW

 

[Cagey]

What gorgeous pieces! That's going to be one fine instrument.

 

[rapfohl09]

WOW

+10000!!!

Where the hell is my jaw dropping all the way to the floor smiley?

 

[NQbass7]

Sweet! I got a BK on BK Les Paul build coming up, and was going to do a Wenge/Ebony neck too, so I'm totally with you on this!  ccasion14:

 

[SixString]

Beautiful!
I hope my BK laminate looks even half as good as yours!

 

[Just Another Smith]

Totally beautiful.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

That's one of the most beautiful clear tops, carved tops ever!

That's a showstopper there, for sure! :headbang:

 

[Nando Vallart]

Oh god of Black Limba! Thank you for one more beautiful guitar!

 

[Alfang]

Sweet!

 

[nexrex]

WOW    That is an unbelievable BK top. Keeps the pics coming  :icon_thumright:

 

[rapfohl09]

Man, I just looked at it again and the Black Korina that Warmoth is putting out right now is just rediculous...I really need to get some.

 

[DangerousR6]

WOW

+10000!!!

Where the hell is my jaw dropping all the way to the floor smiley?

 

[TK4261]

That Body looks amazing!  Got me thinking maybe I should have had Warmoth shoot my BK Jazz body with a clear coat instead of doing it in Tung Oil  :icon_scratch:

 

[NQbass7]

That Body looks amazing!  Got me thinking maybe I should have had Warmoth shoot my BK Jazz body with a clear coat instead of doing it in Tung Oil  :icon_scratch:

The BK body I picked up in the showcase had a black to clear burst on it, which looks way better than I expected. I wouldn't have picked that myself, but I'm really glad it has it.

 

[Updown]

WOW from here too  :blob7:
Great matching set you have there  :headbang: .... I agree this will be a crowd pleaser  :icon_biggrin:

What pupies are going in it ?
P.S ... That table top would make a great looking body too  :icon_thumright:

 

[nexrex]

Black korina and wenge. A marriage made in heaven. Throw some balanced pups in and you will be blown away. Did you go with the gotoh 510 bridge?

 

[jrybicki]

id like to know your cost on the body? was it a select wood?  also  if you finish the fret ends, give me some pointers on that. is it stainless steel?

 

[Ddbltrbl]

Thanks everyone for the comments. So, the BK seems to be a hit! :icon_biggrin:

It was a Showcase body, not select wood, so I got it a little cheaper than normal. But, if this is indicative at all of the BK Warmoth is using, there are going to be some great looking guitars in somebodies future! :headbang1:  I honestly don't think the pictures do it justice!

@Updown - I been wanting to try out a set of Bare Knuckles Mules. Been hearing a lot about them and just want to give them a try. I'm hoping they'll work well with the combination of woods I chose. I ordered some NailBombs at the same time for a different guitar and I may try them as well just to see what happens. But, I'm still waiting from them to get here, so I may do something different! I think I might have extra pair of 59s laying around somewhere...

@PaulXerxen - Yes, Gotoh 510. Never used one before, but I have one of the old orginal Aria Pro II PE-1500 with what I think is Gotoh's forerunner of the 510 and I love it so I'm pretty sure I will like the 510.

@jrybicki - I'm not a luthier, so I'm just doing it my way and this was my first go at Stainless frets. The frets came from Warmoth in really good shape. I've seen new Gibsons with worse frets, but I like mine really smooth, so I cleaned them up last evening... All I did was masking tape the neck between the frets so I wouldn't damage the edges. I used a triangular file to round the corners the way I like them and then I got the file marks out with 600 grit and 1000 grit sandpaper, and then polished them up with real fine steelwool. The SS was a lot easier to work with than I expected.

I'm anxious as kid at Christmas to get this thing playing, but I'm going to see EC & Winwood tonight so... maybe I'll get it all together in the next few days. :guitarplayer2:

 

[Updown]

@Updown - I been wanting to try out a set of Bare Knuckles Mules. Been hearing a lot about them and just want to give them a try. I'm hoping they'll work well with the combination of woods I chose. I ordered some NailBombs at the same time for a different guitar and I may try them as well just to see what happens. But, I'm still waiting from them to get here, so I may do something different! I think I might have extra pair of 59s laying around somewhere...

Yep nice choice  :icon_thumright: I have a set of BKP's on my Black Strat, String though, Mule Neck & Abraxas bridge.
I stated they crap all over my SG '61 Reissue which has 57' classic's in it. Which they do. I love 'em.  :headbang:
Al thou I like the 59's too, try the BKP's 1st then could always revert to the 59's.
Thats if ya get them in time  :icon_biggrin: