Leaderboard

That moment....

Guitarsan

Junior Member
Messages
140
When you see a flamed, bookmatched, spalted pickguard and think.... I have to build a guitar around that!

spalt2_zps65a2jgjk.jpg
 
I could see that on a white, black, or rosewood body.

Might also be nice on a mahogany or walnut body.

Or against a really dark burst.

Or on a closely matching spalt maple body.

Or...

?
 
Black body for sure unless I can be convinced otherwise. I think I've identified the neck, but open to fretboard and neck wood/color suggestions.
 
Guitarsan said:
BigSteve22 said:
That is frik'n COOL! Where did you find it?

Spalt King Guitars on ebay. Ahem, it's sister is for sale there now....
I think that's who I bought the top for my guitar from. If I remember correctly. :icon_biggrin:
 
Guitarsan said:
Spalt King Guitars on ebay. Ahem, it's sister is for sale there now....

I saw that guard, also beautiful. Unfortunately I'm planning a Jazzmaster build. I sent them an e-mail asking if they would do a JM for me.
 
BigSteve22 said:
Guitarsan said:
Spalt King Guitars on ebay. Ahem, it's sister is for sale there now....

I saw that guard, also beautiful. Unfortunately I'm planning a Jazzmaster build. I sent them an e-mail asking if they would do a JM for me.

Cool, he was responsive on email, crossing my fingers for you!
 
So I've identified the neck (but haven't bought it yet) and even the electronics I'll be using. (Very excited about that, will be different)

I know I'm going with a black body, and I see I have two choices - Alder or lightweight swamp ash. Light weight appeals to me, but I wanted to get the pros and cons, or just your own personal opinions about what you would choose (or have chosen) between those two choices and why?
 
No response to my e-mail. Ya know, I'm kinda getting tired of having to track people down to beg them to take my $$!
 
Guitarsan said:
So I've identified the neck (but haven't bought it yet) and even the electronics I'll be using. (Very excited about that, will be different)

I know I'm going with a black body, and I see I have two choices - Alder or lightweight swamp ash. Light weight appeals to me, but I wanted to get the pros and cons, or just your own personal opinions about what you would choose (or have chosen) between those two choices and why?

Any comments on Alder vs. Swamp Ash per above? Guessing my question was lost in the mix of postings....

Also, here's the neck I'm using with it:

SN18622A_zpst3uxqlcx.jpg

 
Ash is slightly denser than Alder (40-53 lb/ft3 vs. 26-42 lb/ft3), but there is a small amount of overlap at the lower/upper extremes, so you can't count on that. Be that as it may, a denser body might result in slightly more sustain, although it's questionable whether you'd notice it. Especially since you're planning on a Maple neck, which is pretty stiff and results in greater sustain/articulation on its own and has more effect on that sort of thing than the body.

The best reason to use Ash is for its appearance with transparent/translucent finishes. If you're going with something opaque such as black, I'd save the money and use Alder. If weight is a consideration, Alder is more likely to be lighter as a solid piece, but there's always chambering that can be done to cheat the weight with either species.
 
Cagey said:
Ash is slightly denser than Alder (40-53 lb/ft3 vs. 26-42 lb/ft3), but there is a small amount of overlap at the lower/upper extremes, so you can't count on that. Be that as it may, a denser body might result in slightly more sustain, although it's questionable whether you'd notice it. Especially since you're planning on a Maple neck, which is pretty stiff and results in greater sustain/articulation on its own and has more effect on that sort of thing than the body.

The best reason to use Ash is for its appearance with transparent/translucent finishes. If you're going with something opaque such as black, I'd save the money and use Alder. If weight is a consideration, Alder is more likely to be lighter as a solid piece, but there's always chambering that can be done to cheat the weight with either species.

Thanks, that helps. Alder it is!
 
If you haven't bought the neck yet and are considering Maple, I'd strongly suggest roasted Maple. Doesn't need a finish, which saves you around $100, and it burnishes up to the smoothest playing stuff you've ever put your paw around. I just did one not too long ago and I can't believe how sexy this thing is. Looks like gloss but feels like the finest satin.
 
Cagey said:
If you haven't bought the neck yet and are considering Maple, I'd strongly suggest roasted Maple. Doesn't need a finish, which saves you around $100, and it burnishes up to the smoothest playing stuff you've ever put your paw around. I just did one not too long ago and I can't believe how sexy this thing is. Looks like gloss but feels like the finest satin.

I considered roasted maple, but it just didn't seem to match up with the pickguard in the mockups. Maybe a personal taste decision, but that train's left the station.

I've pulled the trigger on this neck, but actually if a third build is in my future, it will have a roasted maple neck, as I'm intrigued by them.
 
Back
Top