Finished Pics! SG-style in Yew

vanlooy1

Stunning!

MattNovak

That's fantastic Andy, top build. 

Andyjr1515

Thanks, folks.  Always appreciated

JGTay

Truly stunning Andy. 

Sarge

This has been yet another incredibly fascinating build thread, a real joy watching it develop, you sir, have some serious skills!
I dread this comment but I prefer the look of the back to the top. 

greggreg66

Seriously impressive work!! Looks so slick

Andyjr1515

Thanks again, folks.

And we are onto the final knockings.

Firstly, suitably masked and gloved (which used to be the tip to the police to stop and search...how times have changed!) I popped the pickup across to Matt for him to reverse the phasing, which he did while I waited.


I took the guitar along, fully strung up and watched from the regulation 2m while he tried out the neck profile.  I noticed how much he uses the thumb wraparound - even at the very top frets.

He was happy with the feel but this morning - with both pickups now in phase and sounding good, I played it for real, also trying more thumb wraparound.  My conclusion was that there is still too much bulk either side of the centre line, and that the spine thickness could lose a mm also.  So, having checked with Matt that he would be OK with it, I set about the profile one more time, concentrating on playability in the style Matt prefers.  And - boy what a difference!  

I also took more away from the bass side of the heel:



I'm sure his guitar teacher won't thank me for it, but he should now be able to thumb wrap all the way up the fretboard until the body stops him


So the final danish oil slurry sanding has been done and the next three days will see the final slurry and buff finish completed.  Two final jobs while that's all going on - final set up and fixing the strap buttons.


So I reckon Wed / Thur should see it ready to hand over

johnl

Love it. This shot in particular is almost pornographic:

Rocker

Nice work Andy as always, how does it balance on a strap? That is my main problem with SG style guitars - neck dive.  Lovely to play sitting down.....

merlin

The want is deep... What a beautiful instrument. I can't wait to hear sound clips. 

Stuckfast

Whoa. That's amazing.

I would actually be terrified to own an instrument as beautiful as that!

not_the_dj

I don't really like the SG budy shape, but that is stunning.

PeteC

This has been an absolute joy and an education to follow ( as are all these build threads tbh )  - thanks @Andyjr1515 , you have some really great skills and generosity in sharing your techniques. 

Cant wait to hear it ! 

Andyjr1515

Rocker said:

Nice work Andy as always, how does it balance on a strap? That is my main problem with SG style guitars - neck dive.  Lovely to play sitting down.....

A very timely post, @Rocker ;;;

The last couple of days have been about the final knockings - final shaping and refinishing of the neck, set-up and strap buttons

I had built a couple of tweaks to help the balance but the main one - fitting Axesrus' wonderful lightweight aluminium tuners - was dashed because of (presumably Covid-related) non-availability.

Instead, I have fitted some really, really nice open gear Hipshots - but, honestly, they are quite a bit heavier than the Axesrus ones.  

But when Matt tried it out. I watched how he played and we discussed that yes - he does want to get to that 24th fret..and with his thumb wrapped round and so the back button wanted to be in the 'traditional' place if at all possible.


But what I do (with all of my builds) is first fit the back button, then pop a slippy strap on it, over my shoulder and, holding the strap in various positions while supporting the guitar, gauge where the balance was going to be.  And it looked like we could get there.  So on went the back button (and nowhere near the 'goldilocks' zone of 12th -13th fret I always recommend!):



...and then popped a slippy strap on and hands off...






So, whatever position Matt likes to play, it should be absolutely fine

Phew!

TTony

^^ That is some attention to detail Andy.

But then, I really shouldn't be surprised.

Another brilliant success to add to your burgeoning portfolio  ... and thanks for sharing all the details here. 

I'm always enthused to get back out to the workshop when I read your posts.  Unfortunately, I seem to read them at the most inconvenient times for getting back out to the workshop!

LastMantra

Gibson could learn a few things here...

That is stunning!

Not a fan of the pickup surrounds though personally 

Andyjr1515

Thanks, as always, folks

Tomorrow should see the final buffing of the refinished neck and I will take the strings off and get the sanding dust, etc off the fretboard ready to pass across.

My hands are pretty shot so may not be able to get more than just some comparative sounds of the various settings but it does sound pretty good to me!  If I think it adds anything to the thread, I'll post some sound files, if not I won't   Maybe Matt will be able to record something in the future

  Nut has been fettled, truss-rod tweaked, pickups balanced, action set and label attached:



I'm pleased how this has turned out.  Thanks again for the tremendous support along the way - always immensely appreciated

One last glance before it goes into its gig bag


Yup - that'll do.

impmann

Fantastic looking guitar, Andy and your usual incredible attention to detail make this even better. I’m jealous of its intended owner.

Rocker

Well done Sir.  The owner will be in possession of some very fine craftsmanship.  Priceless!