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Making a flame-grilled resonator guitar

Posted by ChickenboneJohn on June 6, 2013 at 1:38pm

I'm gradually catching up with my backlog of custom work..and here's one of today's jobs...prepping an alu box reso...here it is in the jig just after cutting the soundholes and milling the pickup cutout.

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Out of the jig...ready for the next stage.

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On the drill press, drilling the coverplate mounting holes.

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And into the fiery furnace...for the flame distressing and heat-tempering stage....RESO HELL!!!

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And here's the finished article ready for fitting out with the soundwell.

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Comments

  • Jason Mayes June 13, 2013 at 12:50am

    WOW! Thats gonna be a good looking instrument! I'm new here and wasn't sure if this was a site just for cigar boxes but glad to see that it's not limited to cigar boxes because I've got some crazy ideas for a few builds that will be based on the concept of a CBG but won't actually be made from a cigar box

  • ChickenboneJohn June 7, 2013 at 5:38am
    Yes, I do have a secret blend of oil and herbs which helps the burning-in and discoloration effect. Actually it's coated in vegetable oil, then wrapped in newspaper, fired with oak scraps, taken out, allowed to cool off in contact with some vegetation, then oiled and baked again in the embers...quite an involved process that needs constant watching. If anyone is thinking of doing this with metal parts or whatever...be VERY careful...it is really easy to damage components and melt them, or melt solder joints etc..so don't do this to your '29 National...OK?, don't say I didn't tell you so.
  • Scott aka Farmer Ted June 7, 2013 at 5:29am

    Did you marinate or apply any BBQ sauce before flame grilling that ?

  • Ron "Oily" Sprague June 6, 2013 at 3:04pm
    Flame-roasted reso!
  • Low Budget Luthier June 6, 2013 at 1:47pm

    totally badass

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