Confusing December!

So I guess since the weather is just now getting colder, our maples and liquid amber trees are just starting to turn fall colors. Yet in the distance, there is evidence of large amounts of snow in our mountains. Just seems kind of strange to see this late in December. Usually this time of year, all the leaves have turned color and fallen.

Guitar Progress: Autumn Leaves & Orange Crate.

Orange Crate And "Fall Leaves" Might Be Finished By November '08.

Looks like both guitars might be finished by November. I have no idea what to call my carving guitar so I'll just refer to it as "Fall Leaves" guitar. Looks like I got both guitars mixed up in seasons; Orange for Fall and the Fall might be ready for Spring?
By the way, that's not supposed to be a moldy leaf on that corner section of the guitar. That's a mistake that I haven't cleaned up yet.

"Oranges, Poranges, Who Said, There Ain't No Rhyme For Oranges."

Those of you who grew up with Sid and Marty Kroft Saturday morning shows from the 70's should remember that line from H.R. Puffinstuff. I believe the character "Witchie Poo" was the one who sang it.

Uh.......yeah..well, anyway...I made some oranges today. I used some birch wood and decided to see if I was able to make convincing wooden oranges for the Orange Crate guitar. Things are really starting to gel on this project. I want each one to look a little different so that's why the one on the left looks a little more uniform in color than the one on the right.
Not bad for my first try.

Getting Ready For The Orange Crate Guitar!

It's glued up and ready to start cutting. But I still have the dilema of the oranges. Once I have made up my mind on what to do, then I'll start cutting. You see depending on the process I pick will determine how I will cut this blank.

It's yellow pine, the same material used for citrus shipping crates. More to come....soon I hope. So Vote!

Fun At The Beach.

The family decided to spend a few days at the beach while I was off this week. 87 degrees was much nicer than 107. The water temp was slightly chilly but fine once you spent some time in the water. Here's some highlights and views.

StewMade guitar #2 for 2008: The Orange Crate Guitar!

Ok, you're probably thinking I'm nuts, right? Well, I guess we'll see. My idea is to hollow out the main guitar body, fill the inside with fake oranges (anchored, not rattling around), then glue crate like planks over the top, exposing the oranges between strategically spaced areas and then using some type of citrus producing type label on a couple planks.

This should be the end of my one of a kind ideas for 2008. Although I do have to fit in a guitar that will be painted by Libby. She's very good at abstract art so I promised her that this year she will be able to do whatever she wants and then I'll clear it over and build around it. It will be a 75/25 input, her favor.

Also in the works, a StewMade bass and another boat guitar and "Longboard" guitar. So it looks like 6 guitars are in the works for 2008. The bass idea will be a surprise and will be due out this Fall. Plus a new StewMade t-shirt design.

You're probably asking, "Um, is there a website somewhere in those plans"? I think my fear in the website is that it will squelch my creativity by placing orders that others want. I love stretching out my imagination on these weird quirky one-off builds. I guess I won't have time for my x-ray guitar this year. That was going to be quite an ambitious attempt. Keep reminding me. Maybe if I see enough off this year, I'll get to squeeze that one in before Christmas. Later.

A Hint Of Early Southern California.

I took some pictures in Redlands on my day off. Originally I was headed for The Guitar Center and found myself in Redland's "Prospect Park". The entire block is full of orange groves and with the newly snow capped mountains as a back drop, I could not resist the opportunity.

After viewing these pics, I could not help wondering if this was the common image of the early 20th Century's citrus groves. I know my neighborhood used to look just like this.

I miss the vast rows of orange groves. I used to play along the dirt alleys that lined the trees. It seemed like the rows would go on for miles. It was a great time and unfortunately my simple camera did not to my view justice. Enjoy anyway.