November 07, 2013

Lots of updates n' stuff....

November 07, 2013/ Sully

Hey kids! I've got some stuff to share witcha!

Photos

Be sure to check out the photogallery; there are lots of updates in there, for sure.

I decided on a color for this Galaxy V - Sonic Sweetbaby Blue! The reverse Raven got a spash of metallic deep red on its face, while the back and sides will remain natural. Added a few shots to the Mahogany 624, and will be shaping up the neck profile in the next few days. As you can see, the white 624 is almost at assembly time, as is the Plum Crazy Catfish. The inlays are done on the Angel step Maple topped Catfish, and that will be clearcoated shortly.

There's also the Sapele 624 and this Alder Raven (which both feature "side block" binding), a more stripped down Alder 624 and a Mahogany 92 to keep you entertained.

And if that wasn't enough, I picked up a bunch of Maple, Mahogany, Black Limba, and some really interesting tops, so keep your eyes peeled.

Pickups

I'm toying with the idea of winding a few, and if that goes well, I might make them available to the public. Now first, please know that I'm not going to be dedicating my life to pickup winding, but if the test batches come out, then what the hell; why not let you check 'em out? I've also picked up a set of Habanero pickups and will be trying them out. If they're a good fit, then ol' Sully will move forward and make them an option for your next Sully guitar.

Plek?

Yep, that's another thing that will be happening soon. I hope to be running some tests before the end of the year. Like a file, rasp, or router, a Plek machine is another tool that you can use and the results are nice, I know that much. More on that later.

Hmm....what else....?

Oh yeah, the first '71 prototype is currently with Mike Learn to get some clear coats and maybe a new logo style. More on that later, but here's a little introductory video:

My plan is to have a few different versions of the '71. This one has a flat top with a forearm bevel, and there eventually will be a full carved top version. Should be killer.

Miscellaneous

If you're on Google+, follow me over there, too - see that Google+ link at the very top left corner of this site? Click it, yo! I plan on having some video hangouts there, so that could be fun. Also considering building classes and consultation sessions for those who may not be able to join me here and build something, but want to discuss building. If you don't have Google+, that's cool, I can do it via Skype, too! Oh, and beyond the Google+ page and the facebook page, and twitter......there's a tumblr, too! I do my best to try to put different stuff at each place. So if you're nuts about social media, I got plenty of it for ya.

And finally....I'm going to do my best to be an exhibitor at one of the guitar shows in 2014; not sure if I'll be ready for the Dallas guitar Show in April, but if not, I'll definitely do my best to be at the Arlington show next fall. I know that's not super soon, but that's my goal.

June 08, 2013

Wet sanding

June 08, 2013/ Sully

The mantra is "meaningful progress" so with that in mind, let's get these kids wetsanded, buffed, and closer to completion. Trying out some micromesh this weekend; let's start with the Plum Crazy catfish!

Shiny!

Primed the headstock; some neat stuff to come with that, for sure.

June 06, 2013

Updates!

June 06, 2013/ Sully

Been quite some time since I sent up an update, so here goes!

The purple catfish and white 624 are closer to completion and the next batch of updates will focus on them. The Catfish body needs to be sanded and buffed, and the headstock is about to be sprayed. Then it's frets and assembly. The white 624 needs a bit of buffing and then assembly; although I added some detail to the stinger on the back of the headstock as you can see below.

Once those are complete, the natural mahogany 624 will be the next one completed - the frets have been installed (but need to be dressed), and the body has been receiving some light coats of Tru-oil. The backshape of the neck will be dialed in, and then it's assembly time.

The first of the '71 prototypes is ready for finishing and assembly; it'll go to Mike Learn for that. The plan is just to have clear gloss on the body, black on the face of the headstock (maybe a dark trans black, we'll see).

A second '71 prototype body has been started - mahogany + flame maple top. Current plan is a 2 humbucker setup, nickel wraparound bridge. My initial finishing idea is a deep trans red on the face of the body, with oiled back and sides, but we'll see. Haven't finalized neck specs yet, but will letcha know once I do.

Since I had some miscellaneous bodies and necks sitting around, I decided to slap this '92 together. Poplar body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard with a 25" scale. As usual, the frets are stainless steel. Pickup should be a Seymour Duncan P-Rails so that I can get true humbucker, P90, and single coil tones from one guitar. My initial color idea will be a light blue (in the neighborhood of sonic blue), nickel or chrome hardware and a checkerboard pickguard. This one may be up for grabs, but its completion is on the back burner, as there are other priorities.

Been itching to get the purple angel step maple topped Catfish clear coated, which will happen soon, so stay tuned on that.

Also trying out some new inlay ideas that you'll see in the future, but one of them incorporates the six point star found on the Chicago flag. A second Chicago Raven will be made (with an Aero headstock), and the customer and I decided to incorporate the motif into the fretboard. Should be neat!

Alongside of that, Mrs Sully and I went to the Dallas Guitar Show in April and had the pleasure of meeting Frank Falbo of Falbo guitars (and inventor of the Seymour Duncan P-Rail pickup), what a nice guy! I had a nice time catching up with some friends, and checking out some neat guitars, like this Zora from GJ2 guitars. Also caught Tom Keifer on his solo tour at Trees in Dallas, which was a GREAT show!

And if all of that wasn't enough, I got to spend some time with my Aussie brother, Perry Ormsby of Ormsby Guitars while he was visiting the states. He was great enough to come to Dallas for a few days and we had a great time, for sure. He brought me a set of his Nunchucker and De la Creme pickups for me to enjoy. I plan to put then in one of the '71 prototypes and am really looking forward to checking them out.