The Flash - A Mountainview Original

1. Inspiration

The begining of my dream guitar; a similar but different Doug Irwin inspired replica of Jerry Garcias Tiger guitar. These cavities are there mainly to remove weight. This thing is going to be a monster in the weight department. Lookout chiropractors here I come.

2. Body Beginnings

Here you are able to see the many layers laminated together to form the core of the body. They consist of Cocobolo, Padauk, Allowood, and Birdseye Maple.

3. The Body

The finished body blank, the body shape template, and the neck made of Flame Maple, Padauk and Allowood.

4. The Fingerboard

The inlaid ebony fingerboard bound in Flame Maple. The fingerboard is glued to the laminate base of Padauk/Allowood/Padauk with a total thickness of only .065 or 1.68 mm.

5. The Headstock

This is the headstock with the veneer inlaid, cut to shape, and glued to the blank. It is now ready to be cut out.

6. Body meets Neck

The body has been cut out, and the edges rounded over. The neck pocket and pickup cavities have been routed out as well.

7. The Pickup Ring

The brass pickup ring has been completed and is going through a test fit.

8. Control Cavity

Here, the control cavity jig is lined up and ready for routing.

9. Routing the Control Cavity

The back cavity is routed to accommodate electronics, and the cover plate hides it all.

10. Embellishment

The top "cameo" inlay cavity is routed and awaits it's new roommates.

11. A Ring of Brass

A ring of brass lines the outside edge of the top inlay - a fitting process that does not generally qualify as fun.

12. A Curvy Lady

Having fun with a finger plane giving this lady some curves. You'll really see the contours when the finish is applied.

13. Top Cameo Inlay

The top cameo inlay is installed and the contours are roughed in.

14. Routing the Rear Inlay

The rear inlay cameo cavity is routed and fitting with a brass oval ring.

15. Patience

Here, the Flame Maple rosette and inside diameter purfling are installed. Patience was a must here, and I started to run short on it.

16. Rear Headstock Veneer

The rear headstock veneer consists of maple burl. This will really "pop" during the finishing process.

17. Rear Headstock Veneer

The rear headstock veneer is sandwiched Padauk, Allowood, Padauk, and Maple Burl.

18. A rose by any other name....

The rose inlay fitted into the back cameo consists of black pearl, paua abalone, and pink mother of pearl.. You'll recognize this one coming or going.

19. Neck Alignment

The neck is literally beginning to take shape with some help from me.

20. Easing in the Cutaway

The first efforts towards a "comfort cutaway" for smooth, easy access.

21. Don't fret the Fret-Inlay

Frets are at about the halfway point. The fret ends are semi-hemispherical - no snags or barbs here.

22. Getting Close....

The final fit finish and polish for all the components inside and out.

23. A Bit of a Tease

A coat of shellac to seal in the wood, and a fun preview of how she'll look.

24. Stop Thinking - Start Sanding!

The first coat of lacquer really reveals where you haven't sanded enough. When you think you've sanded enough, stop thinking and sand some more.

25. Where it all Begins.....

Start out with a carefully drawn plan, and this becomes reality.

26. A Job Well Done: Here is "The Flash" in it's finished state. My pride and joy, and I'm keeping it!

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