Completely Wackadoodle Wavy Cab Build

[Geeze]

Yes, it is I, the warped and demented defiler of all things wood - pretty wood that is - with another wackadoodle cab build. With sapele and curly maple I will create from thin air, no sorry, lots of sawdust and scrap bits on the way to an OS 1x12 the same size as the walnut and padauk cab I built earlier.

The idea that spawned this nightmare was a cab I built for the Dallas Guitar festival in 2017 - I think. It was an attempt to infuse the visual art of HH Giger [Alien, Steve Stevens Atomic Playboys cover] into wood. A vine choked jungle slowly devouring a Marshall 1987.

It was visually arresting but the padauk woodgrain was too straight.

So the search began and ended at the best wood store in the world [that I've found so far] Jeffries in Knoxville. I texted the owner of my wavy desires and she [my total wood crack dealer...] shot back some wavy sapele. The cab dimensions are 24.75x18.5x14" The plank is 11" wide - but wait I hear you cry; It's too narrow!

On any other cab you would be correct. But since I'm going to cut and remove two strips on each side I can make it as wide as needed.

Planning begins - follow the grain...

Plot the finger joints...

Rough cutting begins...

Will the demented nightmare actually work? Hold together whilst being pummeled by arena level AC/DC?!? Will it end up as a broken dream slowly smoldering in an abandoned field?!?!?!? Stay tuned.

Sorry - too much coffee...

Russ

 

[DreamerDeceiver]

I dig your visions

 

[Geeze]

After I cut the longitudinal vines I'll need these finger joint jigs to hold them in alignment. Finger joints don't like to out of joint.

Now finger jointed and sanded to working thickness.

I live by the fairgrounds and they're having a pumpkin festival complete with a !!@%**%!!!!##!! sightseeing #***%!!!! helicopter that has been buzzing around all !!!#!$&***!! day. Anybody got a big flyswatter?

As usual this is a leap and the solution will appear project. Once I get these vines cut and shaped then it's time to figure out the curly maple cross vine geometry.

Russ

 

[DreamerDeceiver]

You have great passion.
I wish I had the patience to embark upon.
Instead I'll just have to live vicariously through you.

Where do you get your stock........woodcraft?

 

[fitz]

That is some wicked cool grain patterns.
Can't wait to see this progressing.

 

[Geeze]

Where do you get your stock........woodcraft?

Jeffries in Knoxville - the best store I've seen in 5 states. 20,000 sqft of nothin but wood. They have a facebook page and post frequently. I've gotten wood from Woodcraft and Rocklers but they tend to have 4S [sanded on all four sides] .750" thick or thinner and generally picked through. I prefer 4/4 [1" to 1.125"] or 8/4 which is double the thickness so I can mill off tearout on the finger joints and build thicker finished pieces.

Russ

 

[DreamerDeceiver]

Your making me want to set up the ole Incra twin linear.

Here we go !
lol

 

[Geeze]

I'm an addict - don't understand the concept of one... I've channeled it in rifle competition, guitar gear and wood. I also am an infector - my ex accused me of infecting people into what I was into at the time. My response - And? Your point?

Break out the incra and have at something!

I just HAD to bring this pretty face of fiddleback maple 120"x16"x1.125" home in addition to the 18BF of the sapele.

Russ

 

[Geeze]

First side cut - this will be the proving ground.

Vines rough cut...

Sanded...

The curly maple cross piece - I plan to vary widths and angles/curves...

Cut, sanded to fit...

Watered for grain...

Obligatory closeup...

I'm going to get a thinner bandsaw blade I wear out to many 1/2" ones cutting curves.

Russ

 

[DreamerDeceiver]

I always enjoy your builds, very creative...and so not afraid to step off that cliff.

 

[Geeze]

Two more cross vines fitted...

I'm thinking filling in the gaps with wenge a very dark wood and flow filling with epoxy the remaining gaps. No idea of sound issues at this point.

Russ

 

[Geeze]

Wenge...

I'm going to run the grain vertically as it will look like grass - I hope.

Russ

 

[ibmorjamn]

Wow crazy ! Great stuff.

 

[Geeze]

Starting to fit the wenge - only had time for three bits after I finger jointed them.

Any gaps will be filled in with epoxy and will fade into the background.

Russ

 

[neikeel]

 

[DreamerDeceiver]

Joints look pretty darn snug to me.

 

[Gene Ballzz]

@Geeze
You realize (I'm sure) that you are certifiably "Nucking Futs!" I hope you also realize that I mean that in the most sincerely complementary and flattering manner!
Your Skills Are Sick & Rivaled Only By Your Creative Imagination!
Gene

 

[Geeze]

Tonight's fittings...

Tomorrow night I'll sand it flat and fill gaps. I've got a couple I plan to fit more wenge into.

Russ

 

[Gene Ballzz]

I'm eager to see the "epoxy" process! Can I guess that you use a clear resin? Self leveling would be cool?
Neat Stuff!
Gene

 

[Geeze]

Can I guess that you use a clear resin?

Yes, but I've also been known to throw in metalized powders for a tint. I'm chewing on gray or black.

Only bitch with the 'art' grade epoxy is the looooooonnnnnnnggggg cure time. Other than that it's real easy to work with. I'm going to put Bluesbreaker grill cloth vertically aligned on this. Maybe a dab or two of airbrush work.

Russ