On the bench today

[Rodent]

several new M-Series bodies ready to start the next phase of production



body woods (left to right)

- Amboyna burl on Swamp Ash
- spalted Western Maple burl on Swamp Ash
- Redwood burl / tiger stripe Western Maple / Redwood burl
- spalted Western Maple burl on Alder
- quilted Western Maple heartwood on Swamp Ash
- (on edge) figured Western Maple top laminate yet to be mated to its body core wood

and a spalted Wester Maple bookmatched top (seen here in its lefty orientation) that might be joining the bodies above as a commissioned build sometime soon



all the best,

R

[andrew]

I got to see these topwoods first hand and they are STUNNING!

[fivebass52]

Would love to have a bass one day with Redwood on it. Just like the way it looks. But that may because I grew up in Northern California, hiking and camping in the redwoods.

[pjmuck]

Despite scaring the bejesus out of me with your, "Strange but true tales of spalted maple", Rod, That piece of wood looks stunning and I'd still love to own one someday.

[Rodent]

yup - spalted woods are deceptively dangerous to work with if you don't practice good shop safety. the black lines are caused by a living fungus, and the spores remain viable even after years of sitting in the wood rack. the fungus thrives in humid, dark, warm places ... and the human lung is a perfect place for it to thrive. many a woodworked has had their life significantly shortened by not protecting themselves from the fungus spores released into the air while working on their project wood

I'll have to have somebody shoot an image when I'm dressed-up in my snowman suit and respirator

all the best,

R

[andrew]

Wait a minute, why were you getting me to lick all that spalted maple again?

[Rodent]

but you said you were looking for a new dietary suppliment that would really take-off and grow into something big. did I somehow not understand you correctly?

R

[andrew]

I didn't mean grow into something big in my lungs!

[Rodent]

a righty Heritage Tribute '55™ 5-string continues to work its way thru final assembly. here it is on the bench with all but one pickup, strings, and the string retainer installed. this one ought to be heading out the door really, really soon



once this one is wrapped-up I'll be applying an epoxy finish all next week to the lefty VRB-MM5L™ neck seen just above the Heritage Tribute '55™

all the best,

R