David Churchill
David Churchill
When a builder commissions a guitar from another builder you know there is something special going to happen. Enter David Churchill, Master Luthier and a down to earth all round great guy. I stopped by his workshop today with a special delivery of Ziricote and asked if he would build me a Acoustic guitar. You see, I heard recently David is retiring next year, after building guitars longer than I've been alive, this man is a true Master Luthier, unlike many out there that just claim the title, David is the real deal and his work is uncompromising and the details are beyond description. Every time I see something he has made I am blown away, Davids work runs circles around my own and I give him all the respect in the world.
Now the wait begins as I'm not exactly the first in cue. Construction will start in the new year. I have a long few months!
Now the wait begins as I'm not exactly the first in cue. Construction will start in the new year. I have a long few months!
Re: David Churchill
The build isn't officially meant to start until next year, but today I got a call to drop in and finalize some of the specs.
Whilst I was there David had joined the Ziricote back and had some Master Grade Spruce tops laid out for me to pick from.
Also I got to view the Macassar Ebony neck blank which recently arrived!
Whilst I was there David had joined the Ziricote back and had some Master Grade Spruce tops laid out for me to pick from.
Also I got to view the Macassar Ebony neck blank which recently arrived!
Re: David Churchill
it's gonna be cool
Re: David Churchill
I reckon it will too!
I'm going for a very simplistic theme, but with some exotic timber choices.
The binding will be only Ebony, the rosette will be simply Birdseye maple end Ebony.
It's to have an off board preamp so there is no big panel cut into the body and I've asked for a cutaway body.
It's not the usual selection of specs for a "Churchill" but from the front it'll look like any standard Churchill guitar, until it's flipped over!
I'm going for a very simplistic theme, but with some exotic timber choices.
The binding will be only Ebony, the rosette will be simply Birdseye maple end Ebony.
It's to have an off board preamp so there is no big panel cut into the body and I've asked for a cutaway body.
It's not the usual selection of specs for a "Churchill" but from the front it'll look like any standard Churchill guitar, until it's flipped over!
Re: David Churchill
Dropped in today and snapped some more progress pics!
David Churchill holding his handy work and soon to be my new guitar!
The inner beauty of the Ziricote body
The top bracing, completely hand carved by chisel
Ebony and Birdseye maple Rosette - simply but effective
All the kerfling David cuts himself, it's not the premade bought stuff!
An absolute piece of art. Note the Ebony tip which will make more sense when the rest of the ebony binding is in place
David Churchill holding his handy work and soon to be my new guitar!
The inner beauty of the Ziricote body
The top bracing, completely hand carved by chisel
Ebony and Birdseye maple Rosette - simply but effective
All the kerfling David cuts himself, it's not the premade bought stuff!
An absolute piece of art. Note the Ebony tip which will make more sense when the rest of the ebony binding is in place
Re: David Churchill
sweeeeeet!
Col
Col
Re: David Churchill
I'd be wanting a side brace in the key crack area (the flat section just back from the waist)
Re: David Churchill
There is more bracing to go in, I sort of dropped in while he was in the middle of things.
Re: David Churchill
The thick Ebony binding is now done. Looking pretty damn nice if you ask me!
Re: David Churchill
Gotta agree with you Allan, it is looking pretty damned nice.
Steve
Steve
Re: David Churchill
David managed to get that ebony binding to bend around the cutaway.....he's worked at the ATO at some stage??
Martin
Re: David Churchill
He was more concerned about bending the Zircote for the cutaway as he doesn't use a bending machine, he does it the old way, however it bent easier than he expected considering the amount of figure.kiwigeo wrote:David managed to get that ebony binding to bend around the cutaway.....he's worked at the ATO at some stage??
I also got a sneak peek at the neck yesterday but I didn't snap any pics. Ill get one next time. It was clamped up getting a truss rod slot. Will probably be carved next time I go
Re: David Churchill
A couple more progress pics.
I stopped in today to see where it's at and was surprised to see it's in paint stages!
Ebony headstock cap:
All taped up ready for clear:
Macassar Ebony neck:
I stopped in today to see where it's at and was surprised to see it's in paint stages!
Ebony headstock cap:
All taped up ready for clear:
Macassar Ebony neck:
Re: David Churchill
That is a nice shape for the headstock, is that David's signature headstock, or something you came up with?
Cheers
Col
Cheers
Col
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- Beefwood
- Posts: 23
- Joined: Wed Jul 31, 2013 3:00 pm
Re: David Churchill
Only spoke to David once a few Melbourne festivals back (nice bloke) and he told me it was inspired by an old gibson shape. Can't quite remember but it might have been an archtop.
Re: David Churchill
It is David's signature headstock, however as mentioned above it is inspired by an old Gibson design that is not used anymore and I think wasn't used very long.
Re: David Churchill
1940 Gibson J55 headstock design
Re: David Churchill
That would be the one. I think he's changed the top shape a little bit, but its basically that headstock.jeffhigh wrote:1940 Gibson J55 headstock design
Re: David Churchill
I stopped by again today to see the guitars progress. I'm very happy with the way its unfolding.
Ebony and Birdseye maple Rosette inlaid into the Western Red Cedar top
Ziricote Back and sides wrapped in Ebony binding
Macassar Ebony Neck and Ziricote Back and sides all wrapped in Ebony binding
Ziricote Back and sides wrapped in Ebony binding
A fine maple highlight separating the Ebony cap from the Macassar headstock
Western Red Cedar top, Ziricote fingerboard and Ebony headstock cap.
Ebony and Birdseye maple Rosette inlaid into the Western Red Cedar top
Ziricote Back and sides wrapped in Ebony binding
Macassar Ebony Neck and Ziricote Back and sides all wrapped in Ebony binding
Ziricote Back and sides wrapped in Ebony binding
A fine maple highlight separating the Ebony cap from the Macassar headstock
Western Red Cedar top, Ziricote fingerboard and Ebony headstock cap.
Re: David Churchill
Definitely.Kev3 wrote:Gotta be happy with how that is coming together Allan !
Very happy!
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- Gidgee
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2014 11:31 am
Re: David Churchill
That is unbelievably beautiful I love that ziricote
Re: David Churchill
That is Beautiful.
I have got to try some Ziricote.
What is the finish coating. I see the top was masked off. I'm assuming top is diferent to back and sides?
I have got to try some Ziricote.
What is the finish coating. I see the top was masked off. I'm assuming top is diferent to back and sides?
Re: David Churchill
Its a 2k finish. Top was only masked up as it was sprayed at a different time. I asked about it myself but David had his reasons for his own process. Each to their own, whatever works.soulman wrote:That is Beautiful.
I have got to try some Ziricote.
What is the finish coating. I see the top was masked off. I'm assuming top is diferent to back and sides?
- charangohabsburg
- Blackwood
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- Location: Switzerland
Re: David Churchill
Looks great, and seems to be very versatile with its second function as an emergency mirror for shaving at backstage.
It would be cool to know why it works better for him.demonx wrote:Its a 2k finish. Top was only masked up as it was sprayed at a different time. I asked about it myself but David had his reasons for his own process. Each to their own, whatever works.
Markus
To be stupid is like to be dead. Oneself will not be aware of it.
It's only the others who suffer.
To be stupid is like to be dead. Oneself will not be aware of it.
It's only the others who suffer.
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