The Luthier Community

Pat Foster wrote:

whitespruce wrote: I do have the non-cutaway side bent, the top and back joined, and thicknessed. Kinda contemplating what will look good for a rosette. Don't think my normal thing will be appropriate.

G

Inlay some bark?

Pat

Hmmmm, Now that's a brilliant idea, Pat. Thanks so much for the suggestion.

G

Hey Grant

Be neat if you could work some of the Nakashima butterfly joint holders into those openings.

Might be more easily done while the wood is still flat though.

Just a thought.

Steve

Steve, I plan on doing just that.

OK, I took Pat's advice on thr rosette and here is the result. Since the top is spruce, I figured that wpruce bark would be a logical choice. Besides, I knew it would yield an interesting pattern. Fortunately, I still have a couple of split spruce half logs in the shop. They are dry so the bark is tight, but with a bit of wetting and heat from the clothes iron, I was able to carefully remove a square of bark.


I ironed it flat and sanded it down.

Could have picked a more contrasting background.

I sanded the front down to a smooth and interesting surface and sanded the back to further thin the piece. Used the ROS with 60 grit. Then I gave it a coat of shellac to stabilize it.


I cut out a rosette ring with a carbide downcut bit


Here it is just laid on the top for looks


Routed a channel and glued it in. Then I routed a 1/16" groove on each side for a b/w veneer purfling


Here is the final result

I am very pleased, Thanks Pat for the suggestion

G

Grant that looks awesome, I am really digging the bark rosette! I couldnt even imagine that it would come out that cool looking.

I have been playing with the idea try a natural edge sound hole, finding a spruce top with knot holes big enough to act as a soundhole, or maybe even bookmatch in the centre to form one big soundhole. I really like this nature over perfection approach.

The rosette looks good! Great idea Pat..

That is totally cool.

I am loving this! Excellent artistry, Grant!

Dennis

Looks great, Grant! I didn't know it would look that good.

Pat