6 String Build Carvin Tribute

[Jeff Siddall]

Holy moly!

OK, now that I have wiped the drool off my keyboard, that quilted maple is awesome so you have a thumbs up from me

Not that any of the other choices would be bad. That ebony is sweet, and I'm a sucker for claro too, and of course koa is always good. I have never seen a piece of Thai crape myrtle before, but that has some crazy figure! It's also huge!

Bottom line: it's going to be amazing no matter which you choose!

 

[Slidlow]

Got the neck sides tapered to size. I am planning on some walnut veneer between the wings and neck and between the top and back of the wings. I will be able to make a book match plate for the head stock from the quilted maple cutoffs.

 

[Crawforde]

That is going to be HOT!
It’s already beautiful and you haven’t even shaped it yet.

 

[Slidlow]

Small update. Just cut some wing templates and started to line things up. Still haven't decided on back material though I do have some limba around here somewhere.

 

[Slidlow]

Found this piece of quilted maple in the stash. Might just consider a quilted fretboard.

 

[TerribleTim68]

Would love to see the "negative" from your wing templates laid over it. So the wood of the body shape is visible and the rest is "whited out".

 

[Slidlow]

Would love to see the "negative" from your wing templates laid over it. So the wood of the body shape is visible and the rest is "whited out".

Here you go!

 

[MPU]

I'd use a darker fretboard. To my eyes body and fretboard look too similar and kind of loses the great looking figure on both.

 

[TerribleTim68]

Also, I agree, I'd use a darker fretboard. Not necessarily ebony or something "black", but even like a rosewood/morado/pau-ferro brown.

 

[Slidlow]

I'd use a darker fretboard. To my eyes body and fretboard look too similar and kind of loses the great looking figure on both.

The quilted for a fretboard was just a thought. More likely something that fits the purpleheart stringers better. Maybe this Honduran Rosewood.

 

[Jeff Siddall]

Here you go!View attachment 4843565 View attachment 4843566

That quilted board looks awesome, and I don't remember ever seeing one done out of quilted maple.

Having said that, I do agree with others about the lack of contrast. I did a spalted maple body/birdseye maple board bass but dyed the fretboard:

Here is a before shot:

I really like the effect, and a dyed quilted fingerboard should be great.

 

[Slidlow]

That quilted board looks awesome, and I don't remember ever seeing one done out of quilted maple.

Having said that, I do agree with others about the lack of contrast. I did a spalt/birdseye maple bass but dyed the fretboard:
View attachment 4843754

Here is a before shot:
View attachment 4843755

I really like the effect, and a dyed quilted fingerboard should be great.

Now that is an interesting idea! I could bind it and dye it to suit.

 

[Videojunkie]

Put a black binding on it to give it visual contrast, but maple on maple is kind of cool...

 

[Slidlow]

Put a black binding on it to give it visual contrast, but maple on maple is kind of cool...

I was thinking a thin contrasting layer between the body wings and neck through as well as under the fretboard if the maple was used. There will also probably be a layer under the drop top depending on the main body wood choice. I still have a ways to go before final choice.

 

[Beej]

Before we move on too far from the grain on that top, can I just say for the record, "Jiminy Cricket!!"

 

[Slidlow]

Okay so it's been a while and this is going sideways. Changing up somewhat. I'll be keeping some of the structural aspects of the Carvin design but altering the bass to be like my own design. I had some bookmatched Claro walnut already cut mated to some nogal. so I am sandwiching them with a little ash in between for the body. I'll also use my own headstock design.

Clamp shot of the bass side wing, claro + ash.

and I am considering this black palm for the fretboard and headstock overlay.

 

[RichterScale]

and I am considering this black palm for the fretboard and headstock overlay

Yes

 

[TerribleTim68]

I do love a little ash.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

If you go that route I’m interested to see how that black palm works.

 

[Slidlow]

If you go that route I’m interested to see how that black palm works.

I am expecting it will be fine as a fretted board.