Nightbird (from scratch sort of) build underway at last..

[Mapleman54]

So my Nightbird body blank now has classy wood for neck and fingerboard sourced in UK, Muller bridge, tailpiece and original knobs from Hans, locking Grover tuners, and of course the original ‘98 Joe Barden two-tones that I have had since new. Build by Alessandro Velozo of Patrick J Eggle Guitars in Shropshire.

 

[GGJaguar]

Looking forward to seeing progress reports. Should be a good one!

 

[Mapleman54]

Thanks GGJ, it’s been a bit slow starting as I really needed somebody good to do the core build and everybody’s busy! Very pleased to have got Alessandro who is running the finishing shop for Pat Eggle Guitars (Pat has been a friend of mine since I was his teacher 30 years ago!) it’s nice I’ve been able to send him my original Nightbird 2 to use as a template! Keep you posted!

 

[Mapleman54]

Here’s my original…

 

[GGJaguar]

I think it may be hard to beat the look of the original... wow!

 

[jp]

This looks very exciting, Mapleman! Looking forward to watching your progress!

 

[chazmo]

Coolness! Good luck, mapleman!

 

[SFIV1967]

Did you get a phase switch yet? Just in case, on my 1987 one it's the MIYAMA MS 500F-B type (DPDT (6P) toggle switch On-On.)
On your original is a F style lever, so if you like that lever it would be the MIYAMA MS 500F-F type. (middle picture)




Ralf

 

[mavuser]

Here’s my original…

thanks for posting this photo. thats the best quality pic ive seen of the original amber burst on a maple top Nightbird. and furthermore that one is a really perfect example of the quintissential amberburst variant- in both shade and symetry, especially for a maple top. I'd guess that is an earlier one, made closer to the time the spruce tops were made. what year is it? good luck getting to the finish line of #2!

 

[Mapleman54]

Thanks Mavuser… it is such a lovely guitar. Serial number BL100439 appears to make it 1987.

 

[Mapleman54]

Did you get a phase switch yet? Just in case, on my one it's the MIYAMA MS 500F-B type (DPDT (6P) toggle switch On-On.) On your original is a F style lever, so if you like that lever it would be the MIYAMA MS 500F-F type.

Ralf

Thanks so much Ralf… that’s really helpful!

 

[Mapleman54]

Thanks Mavuser… it is such a lovely guitar. Serial number BL100439 appears to make it 1987.

Sorry, it’s clearly 1988! Found my pic of the serial number and read the chart correctly this time!

 

[mavuser]

Sorry, it’s clearly 1988! Found my pic of the serial number and read the chart correctly this time!

thanks yes that would still qualify as an early bird for sure. good luck with #2, stick with Hans Moust and keep us posted!

 

[Mapleman54]

Did you get a phase switch yet? Just in case, on my 1987 one it's the MIYAMA MS 500F-B type (DPDT (6P) toggle switch On-On.)
On your original is a F style lever, so if you like that lever it would be the MIYAMA MS 500F-F type. (right picture)



Ralf

Thanks for this Ralf… really useful! Tim

 

[SFIV1967]

Thanks for this Ralf… really useful! Tim

I was still editing, have a look now.
Ralf