New 12 string - Just put on the fretboard.

[Les Ford]

Here is my current project.

The body is mango and the fretboard is lacewood with maple frets.

[Andy DePaule]

Hi Les,
Very nice workmanship. I don't think I've ever seen Mango wood before.
Best wishes,
Andy

[Les Ford]

Hi Les,
Very nice workmanship. I don't think I've ever seen Mango wood before.
Best wishes,
Andy

It's rather like koa or blackwood. I am not sure what contribution it will make to the sound of the guitar but I am hoping for the best.

[Tim Toberer]

That is a work of art! Lovely choice of woods.

[Doug Earnest]

That is very nice work.

In my experience that beautiful satin finish you have on the metal work is harder to pull off than bright polish! Would you care to share some of your process?

It will be interesting to hear sound samples once it is finished and has had time to acclimate to being a guitar.

[Les Ford]

That is very nice work.

In my experience that beautiful satin finish you have on the metal work is harder to pull off than bright polish! Would you care to share some of your process?

I just find that all of my polished stuff looks filthy as soon as I touch it so I started to use these scrub pad things on a corner sander after sandpapering the part.. It's good enough for me and it doesn't get dirty like the polished surfaces.

They come in different grit strengths like sandpaper. They are a bit of a PITA to attach to the sander but needs must.

The wood finish is Watco oil, wet sanded to 600 grit.

[Ross Shafer]

Gorgeous guitar Les, I love the Mango/Lacewood combo! Nice machining too.

[Les Ford]

Gorgeous guitar Les, I love the Mango/Lacewood combo! Nice machining too.

Thanks Ross, I'm learning as I go and the machining is pretty lumpy up close but I'll try to get fussier the next time.

[Greg Forsyth]

Mighty fine looking steel Les. If you have more photos of your build process I'd love to see them.

[Forrest Lee Jr]

Looks great Les, I love that wood!