Organic Soundports

[whitespruce]

Well, I said I would get this done, so here is some progress. spent an hour trying to upload the photos to Photobucket to no avail. Finally was able to do it on Christy's computer

So I worked on the binding. The top purfling needed to be bark to match the rosette. I couldn't get any spruce bark that would work, so I used white pine. It looks similar, just a finer pattern. I have an inside black veneer line and then the bark which I put on before the binding. Here are these glued

A closeup


I cut the bark a bit oversize in both thickness and width, then sanded it level with the top and the binding channel


Here is the sheet of bark that I cut the strips from

I just ran it through the thickness sander on both sides after I ironed it flat

Here is the bamboo binding glued on


All leveled with the top....


....and the back


Then I leveled the bindings to the sides, but did not take photos

I also finished the peghead inlays


Now I just have to put in a few more frets, carve the neck, and do the bridge.

So, one about ready for Stringfest

G

[Pat Foster]

Looking good, Grant! I like the binding/purfling combo.

Pat

[DaveAnderson]

That top sure looks nice with the matching rosette and bark purfling with the knots in the spruce.
Good job Grant.

[Chris Muse]

Grant
Looking awesome. The binding almost looks like tortoise shell. Can't wait to hear it.
Chris

[whitespruce]

Grant
Looking awesome. The binding almost looks like tortoise shell. Can't wait to hear it.
Chris

Come on up to Stringfest and you can play it

Thanks for the kind words, folks. I fit the neck and put in a few more frets today. Will do the rest tomorrow.

G

[Jbus]

Genuine playable art! This is awesome!

[whitespruce]

Well, I have just about finished the final sanding after the egg-white pore fill. That stuff really works slick. The hand made copper bar frets are what really took the time....installing 5 frets takes 2 hours

Anyhow, I will start applying the finish tomorrow. I will try to post a few photos tomorrow.

Now on to finishing one of the external neck adjustment models...should be no problem to get done by Stringfest.

G

[whitespruce]

OK, here are all of the copper bar frets installed and leveled

This photo is before I crowned and polished the frets. I have that done, but did not take a photo.

I started the finish today. First, a thin wash of shellac which I sanded lightly with 320 grit. Then the first coat of Liberon.

Here is the top


And the back


I now have a second coat on which I will let dry overnight. Then 2 more coats tomorrow and I will see how it looks. Possibly another coat or 2 on Saturday. Then I will let it dry for a couple of days, polish it and string it up.

I really like the Liberon. Kinda pricey, but it only takes about a tablespoon to do a whole coat, so it goes a long way.

G