NGDx2......and the wait is over.

Kalimna

Then all who covet them might give Mr Ryder a call after thinking 'You could be mine'....

ellwood

So, it has been a while since I've updated this yet again.

Excitement continues to stay at the redline. We've had quite a bit of progress on the guitar known as number two recently. 

This was the guitar we were going to paint all black. 

Then when the top was carved it showed a nice subtle flame, so we thought we might Brockburst it. Then Ant suggested a ruby burst. We discussed it a lot. 

Then the first coat of colour went on...


And it was decided no red whatsoever would be added. I would have kept it at this but Ant said it was a bit too stark so three more coats went on...



Then polishing started...




Remember this was the one we thought would have no flame??

So, bit of light mocking up...




And yesterday, pics of some proper assembly...




Few little bits left to do and it's ready for strings.

And I go away for two weeks tomorrow. 

Bugger!!!

Teyeplayer

Wow!!!!!! Stunning that!

Dont worry about being away, just get it delivered to my house, I am sure I can look after it in the interim.

sweepy

Anthony does do lovely work that is true 

WezV

I like that top a lot 

webrthomson

Very very nice, that is looking amazing

Schnozz

Best finish for a flame Les Paul IMO 

beed84

Thank the lord you didn't paint it black. Great work and lovely finish.

ellwood

Holy Smokes batpeople - another update! So soon!

Anyway. Look. Look! LOOK AT THIS!!

It's here! 



The second of my Ryder builds is here first! (I know, bit confusing).

I've been travelling for work recently, and rather frustratingly guitar number 2 was finished and strung up the day after I flew. Any had been sending me reports on how good it sounded, and the comments it had drawn from other people who had seen. These helped my frustration and impatience not one bit.

So last night I managed to blast down to Banbury and get my sticky paws all over it.

This was the guitar that was originally set to become the blackburst one. That's right - painted black. Fortunately as the top came through on carving we had a change of plan. And arrived at the beauty you see here.

So, what can I tell you about it? 

Firstly, this isn't meant to be a faithful replica of a 59. It's meant to be inspired by, but have a unique feel. For instance, no fret nibs. We both preferred to not have them. It has an absolute baseball bat of a neck - and feels utterly sublime in hand. It's a very round profile - it doesn't shallow out like some necks. And that means it needs to sit slightly higher than my usual gunslinger Les Paul preference on the strap. 

Acoustically it resonants for an age. Plugged in even more (surprise surprise - not). It's fitted with low wind OX4s, and they suit it perfectly. The bridge has real bite, but responds beautifully to the tone control. The neck - that's just glorious. Fully open it's quite throaty - a real woody tone. Roll back the tone and that gorgeous creamy Les Paul noise soars through. Into the Marshall 1974x it's incredible. Into the Fender Twin it's just amazing.

So. It's been a long process. Was it worth? Hell yes. 
Did I get the guitar I expected? No. We had a couple of twists and that just made the process all the more fascinating - and the end result is even more incredible because of it.
Would I commission again? Well, there's another one to come anyway. But most definitely yes. The process has been an exciting learning experience, and the updates, when they come only feed the level of excitement.

Thanks @flyfisher12. An awesome awesome job. 
Is the other finished now? What about now? How about now?

I guess you'd probably like to see some more pics...











The whole instrument is, to me, stunning. And the sound is phenomenal. But this is the best bit. 

The serial numbers are my son's initials and his birth day and month, followed by 1 and 2.



(and no, my son isn't 221 years old, before any one comments...)

Kalimna

Well, thats rather beautiful isnt it? Stunning

photek

Lovely! You have forgotten to put the pick guard on though mate ;P

mikeyrob73

meh 





just kidding, its rather lovely 

Teyeplayer

Stunning!!!!

JerkMoans

That is truly beautiful. Worth the agonising wait...

SimpleSimon

Just caught up with this thread, all i can say is wow, absolutely stunning! Congrats indeed, cant wait to see the AFD now.....

ellwood

SimpleSimon said:

Just caught up with this thread, all i can say is wow, absolutely stunning! Congrats indeed, cant wait to see the AFD now.....

Thanks mate.

Am quite excited about the next one too!

Boromedic

Sooooo, sorry for the bump up, but........

Any news on the AFD?! 

Teyeplayer

Boromedic said:

Sooooo, sorry for the bump up, but........

Any news on the AFD?! 

And more to the point, how many other fretboarders are up watching Ellwood’s ngd threads at 5am?  

Boromedic

Teyeplayer said:

Boromedic said:

Sooooo, sorry for the bump up, but........

Any news on the AFD?! 

And more to the point, how many other fretboarders are up watching Ellwood’s ngd threads at 5am?  

Hahaha, well its 9am for me but yeah hands up anyone else!

ellwood

Boromedic said:

Sooooo, sorry for the bump up, but........

Any news on the AFD?! 

Funny you should mention that..... @flyfisher12 has been sending me some pics for the last couple of days. AFD is coming on very nicely, and I think by the end of the week we should have a fully painted guitar ready for build up. As the evidence below shows it's not looking too shabby...and I am rather excited again!







This pic above makes me drool most. The different colours and different depth of flame are just lustworthy. And this one will have hotter OX4s than number 2, so expecting a bit of a beastie.....