Fiddleback Maple JMP 2203 headshell

[Geeze]

In an effort to avoid starting a sapele chest of drawer build that the design hasn't quite jelled yet I decided to distract my self with this. I've built 1987/1959, JCM800 & Jubilee cabs but not the 70's JMP2203/4 style cab.

Rough cut maple

I use walnut blocks to simulate the plastic corner protectors. Also the bottom is BB ply with book matched maple caps and 'fake' fingers to cover the ends.

Sanded with the one inch edge round overs - I planed in a 1/2" 45° bevel and sand the rest in with 60 grit in an orbital sander. Takes a while but no tear out and more importantly no neighbors whining about the noise.

Test fit of the face plate with the logo cut in and the rough cut maple piping.

If you're a natural wood finish fan you'll want to stop reading. I'm going to put a two tone guitar style finish - black dye sanded back then scarlet all sealed with lacquer.

The logo will be filled with either gold or silver - I did a test with some 'brass' powder with epoxy and it didn't excite me. I've got the gold and silver with table grade vs. industrial grade epoxy coming later this week to experiment with.

Russ

[Koolaide]

sweet!!!

[Littlewyan]

That looks incredible! Nice work!

[dcribbs1412]

Nice!
I am a natural wood fan and this is very interesting.
Love the look of the black dye and scarlet showing the wood grain.
Great work.

[Geeze]

I'm experimenting with what to fill the logo - this is brass powder. It looks better on lighter wood - a bit 'stealthy'.

Brass & epoxy filled, dyed black and sanded back

Scarlet and lacquer

I've waiting on more hues to arrive via Fedex.

Russ

[JazzGuitarGimp]

This looks fantastic; I love the color! Did you use a CNC to route the logo?

[Geeze]

This looks fantastic; I love the color! Did you use a CNC to route the logo?

A dremel with a Stewmac plunge router base and a 1/32" tapered bit. Took about an hour.

Russ

[ViperDoc]

That's some excellent-looking joinery! Nice wood, too!

[JazzGuitarGimp]

This looks fantastic; I love the color! Did you use a CNC to route the logo?

A dremel with a Stewmac plunge router base and a 1/32" tapered bit. Took about an hour.

Russ

Yeah, I was afraid that would be your answer....sheesh! There are an awful lot of very talented people here. My hat’s off to you, Russ; that is some excellent work!

[ChopSauce]

This looks fantastic; I love the color! Did you use a CNC to route the logo?

A dremel with a Stewmac plunge router base and a 1/32" tapered bit. Took about an hour.

Russ

Awesome...

I thought "bah, this guy should have some fancy computer-operated milling-machine" but not at all...

Bravo!

[TUBEDUDE]

How about after sanding back the black, apply a faded cherry sunburst, like an old Les Paul.

[Geeze]

How about after sanding back the black, apply a faded cherry sunburst, like an old Les Paul.

This whole project grew out of an experiment for an LP kit I'm planning to build. And like most things I do quickly got out of hand. Don't know if I'll do a 'burst but definitely a two tone finish.

Russ

[Phil_S]

As always, it's a great looking cabinet. Finish is a matter of personal taste so there's no right or wrong. Somehow, I've got the impression that you are overthinking this. Perhaps going against the grain of the crowd, I want to suggest that the simplest solution is likely the best one. Given what we've seen, I'm sure it will turn out great. I like the idea of a faded burst.

[ChopSauce]

Funny how we all are hanging on waiting to see how your outstanding craftmanship will turn out...

I even woke up this morning thinking " I must wrote him the (french) joke:

- if you want to keep it, paint it red, but if you want to sell it, paint it black"

...waiting on more hues to arrive via Fedex.

So are we...

[Geeze]

Piping time for the 2203. It's been beveled, rounded, drilled and countersunk for screws.

Fitting the sides -

The top strip -

The bottom 'wraps' -

Glamour shot -

Now the piping will be bleached and set aside for assembly after the face plate is dyed and sealed. On to dyeing and sanding the case whilst I wait for the !!**##!&*&^!!!! epoxy and colors I ordered way too long ago - listen to the old guy's first world problems...

Russ