First acoustic build - Native timber 00

Thanks for sharing this Nick! Your website looks very good too - very crisp and clean layout with lots and lots of great photos.

I've often thought of getting a guitar built from purely homegrown timbers, and it's good to see you at least partially managed this.

What do you think of the likes of Douglas Fir as a potential top, sourced in the UK?

What does 'Cherry' bring to the party in terms of sound signature? Is it maple-ish?

That geetar looks a beauty, Nick. (I know I say that about most of the guitars I see on here, but that doesn't make it any less true!)

Thank you for the kind words. I was really pleased with the outcome of the build, and I learnt so much during the process which I will put to good use in my next build.

Martin - I hadn't thought of using Douglas Fir as a potential top I'll have to see if I can get hold of any it could be an ideal solution to the home grown build.

Keith - I really like the concept of using materials sourced as close as possible to home or that are being recycled to try and minimise the environmental impact not to say that I may not use rosewoods etc. in the future but for now I am always keeping an eye out for anything home grown. For example I have just picked up a couple of boards of Laburnum which I am planning on using on a mandolin build for the fretboard and bridge.

Leo - I don't really have much to compare it to as yet but I would say that it is this guitar is fairly balanced with a slight leaning towards clearer trebles though I'm sure that is subjective. Though for my next guitar build I am planning on using the same design, though utilising different woods for comparison. While my playing is not really up to a demo (holds head in shame!), ill see if I can sort out some sort of recording.

Rodders - Well at the moment its just a hobby really, I would love it to become full time, but I am also a realist and with a mortgage to pay etc, I would need to sell a lot of guitars or command a rather large price tag to make that a reality. At the moment I'm happy to forget about the day Job (in IT) and just enjoy building but it would be nice to think that at some point down the line someone would be prepared to spend some of their hard earned money on one.

Thanks for your kind words Dave, I've been looking at your build threads, and they are something to aspire to.

In regards to the mandolin, Ill start a build thread in the next day or two but you maybe able to help me out with something. I am trying to source a suitable carbon fibre bar for the neck, but have been unable to find anything in the UK that will fit the bill. I have been considering a square tube section but am unsure as to the suitability of this. I have noticed that you use similar in your builds, so if you could point me in the right direction it would be appriciated.

Nick,

I've managed to source cf rods and tubes in the UK but not the bars I use in the necks and I still buy these in from the US. It's a bit pricey but if you are building lots then a bulk order costs less per unit in terms of duty and price, if you are only making one or two instruments then in terms of the overall scheme of things it's not really that much extra for the benefits it brings. For me its biggest benefit in the neck is in altering the neck's resonant frequency in a way that helps eliminate "dead notes" and the extra stiffness it brings to the neck is a bonus.

I'll let you know the next time I'm ordering a bulk order of cf bars from the US and I'd be happy to add some on for you to have at the lower cost.