sinker cypress prototype

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Rick Molloy

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Sep 10, 2025, 5:28:50 PMSep 10
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I almost didn't share this guitar because it's pretty ugly.  But I figured for transparency I would do it anyways...

I consider it an experimental prototype. And I was experimenting with several things at once
(I know not a great idea).

The top and braces are sinker cypress, it's a low quality 'tier' top so I didn't mind messing it up.  The top is from a 1600 yo sinker tree and the braces are from a 400 yo sinker tree.

I also was experimenting with UV epoxy on the top in a wipe on finish and I know there were some questions about this.  There's some big thumb prints in it and I've since gotten much better and applying this and having it turn out great.  This is the first top I did with this and I've since done two more back and sides which both turned out very nice.

So on the bracing, it is x-braced top but with a gore style live back bracing.

I haven't done the final voicing on it since the bridge is still bolted on but so far I'm pretty pleased with it.

Especially since I messed up the equations for the starting braces - I was updating dimensions based on cypress being bracing being both heavier and less stiff.   These braces ended up being pretty short to hit the weight targets I was going for... I've update what I'm working with and I expect the next one to be better...

Here's a pic and an unprocessed iPhone clip with some strumming and mediocre finger style...



Jered Elmore

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Sep 11, 2025, 10:41:28 AMSep 11
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I love to see the craft in process. Thanks for sharing.

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Dan Jentink

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Sep 12, 2025, 11:03:38 AMSep 12
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Where did you get your cypress?

Rick Molloy

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Sep 12, 2025, 2:31:07 PMSep 12
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All of the sinker cypress comes from Aaron Lucas at Aaron Lucas guitars.

This set was from one of his "lots" that I got a bit ago - mixed grade lower cosmetic quality and much less expensive... 

I bought this lot deliberately to experiment with and to keep costs down as I experiment with bracing and finishing.

Rick

On Fri, Sep 12, 2025 at 8:03 AM Dan Jentink <danielsd...@gmail.com> wrote:
Where did you get your cypress?

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Daniel's Den Designs

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Sep 13, 2025, 8:30:00 AMSep 13
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He seems to be the only one with the cypress that I've seen so far. Thanks.

Dan Jentink

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Rick Molloy

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Sep 13, 2025, 2:23:36 PMSep 13
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Yes, he's the only one doing this and is responsible for getting the log recovered and processed

-Rick


Paul McEvoy

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Sep 13, 2025, 4:02:23 PMSep 13
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I was wondering about using it for backs and sides.  

Paul McEvoy
207-699-9526

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Rick Molloy

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Sep 13, 2025, 4:49:06 PMSep 13
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It's definitely on my list to use at least one of the sets in the lot I have for a back set... but I was going to do a rosewood back and then update the brace / density conversion math for the braces first.

Rick


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