13.5 Frets Prima in Maple/Redwood

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Valben
Myrtle
Posts: 80
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2018 3:16 pm

13.5 Frets Prima in Maple/Redwood

Post by Valben » Tue Oct 23, 2018 10:35 am

This is my last build: Valben Custom Prima
Details:
- Moderate size box with wide x-bracing, cut-away and arm bevel.
- Scale length 650mm with 13.5 frets at the neck joint.
- Width at nut 45.5mm with zero fret.
- Brass strings counter plate
- Full L.R Baggs Anthem system.
- Platina Shellac finish
- Set-up with 12 gauge strings tuned 1 step down or 10 gauges tuned standard.
Woods:
- Soundboard : Figured AU Redwood (thanks PeteCurly)
- Back & Sides: Flamed Maple
- 7 pieced laminated Maple/Padauk neck with Padauk fretboard & bridge
- Custom Rosette and fretboard inlays (with intentional asymmetry 😊)
- 4pcs Padauk laminated pickguard
Notes:
1) The body size and bracing pattern will suit the following scale lengths:
- Martin 25.4” (13 frets to the neck joint)
- Gibson 14.75” (12.5 frets at the neck joint)
2) Some flaws in the binding job here 😊. That padauk timber become really hard after bending and the binding tape does not have enough pull force to close gaps. Lesson learnt is that the fitting shall be perfect before to proceed an apply glue.
3) I have cracked the maple side at the cutaway during bending so have adopted a Venetian/Florentine cross solution (see previous post in “Instrument builders forum”).
4) The arm bevel is made by laminating some extra light timber see previous post in “Instrument builders forum”). It requires more work than one-piece solution but I still think it worth the extra-effort.
5) This guitar has a surprisingly huge volume. She sounds bright (as you would expect from the maple box) but also possess very powerful basses. I am planning to record an audio clip with the help of a friend who’s professional player and will share the clip here.
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WJ Guitars
Blackwood
Posts: 372
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2017 4:28 pm
Location: Sutherland NSW
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Re: 13.5 Frets Prima in Maple/Redwood

Post by WJ Guitars » Wed Oct 24, 2018 11:38 am

Looks like you have overcome many challenges with this guitar build. The timber combination looks amazing. Be interested in hearing the sound clip when the sound recording is completed.

Wayne
https://wjguitars.wixsite.com/mysite-1

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Valben
Myrtle
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Re: 13.5 Frets Prima in Maple/Redwood

Post by Valben » Thu Oct 25, 2018 9:04 am

Cheers Wayne, it has been bit of a challenge to avoid that orangey Padauk bleeding into the whitey Maple but at the end I am happy with the overall aesthetical appearance (oh well, except the binding job :) )
Also, there is a typo in the post, the Gibson scale is 24.75" (not 14.75").

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lamanoditrento
Blackwood
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Re: 13.5 Frets Prima in Maple/Redwood

Post by lamanoditrento » Thu Oct 25, 2018 1:56 pm

Love the wood combo on this :cl :cl
Trent

jim_m
Wandoo
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Re: 13.5 Frets Prima in Maple/Redwood

Post by jim_m » Mon Oct 29, 2018 11:13 pm

OMG. Now that is attention to detail! :)
Outstanding......
Jim

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Valben
Myrtle
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Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2018 3:16 pm

Re: 13.5 Frets Prima in Maple/Redwood

Post by Valben » Wed Oct 31, 2018 11:40 am

See if I am able to share a couple of sound clips of the Custom Prima :

1) https://instaud.io/2RGp
2) https://instaud.io/2RGq

I have no experiences with recording, I have just used a small portable Tascam in a live venue situation.

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WJ Guitars
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Re: 13.5 Frets Prima in Maple/Redwood

Post by WJ Guitars » Wed Oct 31, 2018 5:53 pm

There is a nice clear 'presence' with the guitar rhythm playing that is noticeable in the live recording. A great results and therefore, worth all the care and patience required to complete this guitar build.

Wayne
https://wjguitars.wixsite.com/mysite-1

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Valben
Myrtle
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Re: 13.5 Frets Prima in Maple/Redwood

Post by Valben » Mon Jan 27, 2020 8:43 am

Here a video with decent audio of the Custom Prima : [youtube]https://youtu.be/a32penp1Bao[/youtube]

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Valben
Myrtle
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Re: 13.5 Frets Prima in Maple/Redwood

Post by Valben » Tue May 19, 2020 9:09 am

[youtube]http://youtu.be/dMzVMfGvWWM[/youtube]

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Valben
Myrtle
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Re: 13.5 Frets Prima in Maple/Redwood

Post by Valben » Tue May 19, 2020 9:11 am

[youtube]http://youtu.be/Qt_yfst8AtY[/youtube]

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Valben
Myrtle
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Re: 13.5 Frets Prima in Maple/Redwood

Post by Valben » Mon May 25, 2020 9:53 am

Thanks to Martin :-) , finally I am able to embed the youtube video directly into the post , see viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8830
Cheers Valter


youtu.be/a32penp1Bao

youtu.be/dMzVMfGvWWM

youtu.be/Qt_yfst8AtY

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