About five years ago I had an idea to build an acoustic guitar from “local” wood – from California. I live in southern CA, and instead of going on a hunt for usable lumber in Los Angeles, I was happy to learn that Luthier’s Mercanitle, up in Healdsburg in Sonoma County, had just what I was looking for: Back and sides cut from California Bay Laurel (a Myrtle), and Redwood for the top. I selected a Port Orford Cedar neck blank, a Richlite fretboard and bridge, and figured I’d be off and running. Unfortunately, life got in the way, and the project was postponed.
The Pandemic has presented both challenges and unexpected gifts, and one of them has been additional time. In January I unpacked the materials and selected plans for a 1940-era Gibson L-00 small-body and got to work. In keeping with the Golden State them, I opted for a poppy headstock inlay. The sides were bent on the side-bender of a friend, then finished up on my iron.
Neck carving is proceeding. More soon. Stay tuned.
Woodsong Strings 