LEON JIMENES # 007

This build, an acoustic three stringer was made for a friend of mine as a gift. This will be the first of my builds to leave my hands... Since he is a huge Traveling Wilburys fan, I used this as the theme/tribute. Also, on this build I made the fretts go to the 14th rather than the 12th as seen on previous builds. The LEON JIMENES NO. 1 box was very light & unfinshed. After applying the Wilburys graphics, several coats of polyurethane was applied. Strung up with some light Martin strings (D,G,B), she produced a nice acoustic tone.


"WILBURYS SKIP" :

CHATEAU REAL SERIAL # 006

My sixth build was done as a tribute to the legendary Beale Street in Memphis. A three string resonator style acoustic. For the resonator "cone" I used an old 8mm film can. I wanted to use the metal film reel that came with it for a spider-type bridge support but was getting metal-on-metal vibrations/buzzing. So some remnant tile/stone samples were used for the bridge. Decorated with a vintage photo of blues legend B.B. King and a home-made tail piece from a small tin container purchased a A. Schwab's hardware store (on Beale since 1876!!!). 

PARTAGAS BLACK LABEL Serial # 005

Build # 5 started with a sweet looking black PARTAGAS box. The neck was painted black to match. Frets are the shafts from pop rivets whose rivet heads are used for string grommets! Typical 3-string design with the Radio Shack piezo inside. Decided this time to make it easy & use bolts for the nut & bridge saddle. Currently strung with light guage strings, acoustically gives it a mandolin sound when tuned up.... as heard on "Itchy Feet" below. Plugged her into a reissue BIG MUFF pedal with sustain set low to avoid feedback and recorded "Blak Box Jamm". A fairly versatile instrument!



"Itchy Feet" :




"Blak Box Jamm" :

COHIBA CORONA Serial # 004

Build number 4 started with a all wooden COHIBA Corona box. Not sure what type of wood was used for the neck as it's not poplar or oak and was found on the white board stack at Lowes' . On this attempt, I removed the piezo from its plastic housing which made it very sensative. In the audio clip below, I use the box to provide the beat during playing. To remedy the sensitivity, I encased the piezo between strips of wood which helped & for the first time...allowed me to run it through the distortion channel of my FENDER CHAMPION 110 without too much feedback. The video clip...is done as a spoof on what can be heard in any Guitar Center as a pimple-faced brat shreds away!


"WARPATH" :



"COHIBA BOUNCE" :



"GUITAR CENTER TRASH" :

Padilla Series '68 Serial # 003

Build number 3 started with a smaller Padilla box using an oak neck. The oak was a bit tougher to work with, still not much in power tool assistance! I kept this one acoustic only as an intial test with the piezo transducer had results too harsh. May be attributed to the smaller box & oak neck combo. This one is currently a favorite of mine. The first sound clip was recorded in a closed bathroom (for acoustics) with a door used as a bass drum -- supplying the beat.

"The Bathroom Thump" :



"Noodlin'" :

PUNCH GRAN PURO Serial # 002

Using a cool looking PUNCH GRAND PURO box with poplar neck (now at correct length!) completed a 4 string model. Had to use additional internal bracing to support the neck and eliminate bowing due to the added tension. Same piezo configuration for a pick-up. Added tooth pick frets with fancy position markers. Lower scale logo seen here for first time.

"Peter Gunn Thang" :


"Box o Blues":


"MARLBORO JAM":

ARTURO FUENTE serial # 001

Here's the first finished model using a Arturo Fuente box. The classic 3-string build. I have it equipped with a Radio Shack piezo transducer for a pick-up. On this, my first build....I accidently made the poplar neck too long. Scale length pushes 28" !! So, one trick I like is to move the bridge towards and away from the nut changing the scale length & tuning which in turn also changes tone as well.

"Arturo Stomp":


"Running Wild" :



"ARTURO PICKIN'S" :