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13.5 Frets Prima in Maple/Redwood

Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2018 10:35 am
by Valben
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 šŸ˜Š)
- 4pcs Padauk laminated pickguard
Notes:
1) The body size and bracing pattern will suit the following scale lengths:
- Martin 25.4ā€ (13 frets to the neck joint)
- Gibson 14.75ā€ (12.5 frets at the neck joint)
2) Some flaws in the binding job here šŸ˜Š. 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 ā€œInstrument builders forumā€).
4) The arm bevel is made by laminating some extra light timber see previous post in ā€œInstrument builders forumā€). 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 whoā€™s professional player and will share the clip here.
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Re: 13.5 Frets Prima in Maple/Redwood

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

Re: 13.5 Frets Prima in Maple/Redwood

Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 9:04 am
by Valben
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").

Re: 13.5 Frets Prima in Maple/Redwood

Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 1:56 pm
by lamanoditrento
Love the wood combo on this :cl :cl

Re: 13.5 Frets Prima in Maple/Redwood

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2018 11:13 pm
by jim_m
OMG. Now that is attention to detail! :)
Outstanding......
Jim

Re: 13.5 Frets Prima in Maple/Redwood

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 11:40 am
by Valben
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.

Re: 13.5 Frets Prima in Maple/Redwood

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

Re: 13.5 Frets Prima in Maple/Redwood

Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2020 8:43 am
by Valben
Here a video with decent audio of the Custom Prima : [youtube]https://youtu.be/a32penp1Bao[/youtube]

Re: 13.5 Frets Prima in Maple/Redwood

Posted: Tue May 19, 2020 9:09 am
by Valben
[youtube]http://youtu.be/dMzVMfGvWWM[/youtube]

Re: 13.5 Frets Prima in Maple/Redwood

Posted: Tue May 19, 2020 9:11 am
by Valben
[youtube]http://youtu.be/Qt_yfst8AtY[/youtube]

Re: 13.5 Frets Prima in Maple/Redwood

Posted: Mon May 25, 2020 9:53 am
by Valben
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