Custom fanned-fret 7-string project (Parker Fly shape)

[bluevoodoo]

Hey folks, I've got very much excited these days as with my luthier buddy we started to get things together for my custom fanned-fret 7-stringer. Specs are going to be:

Body: swamp ash (one piece)
Neck: maple with stripes of wenge
Fingerboard: birdseye maple
Top: not yet decided, either purpleheart, claro walnut or AAAA quilt maple are the choices
Scale length: 25,5-27,5" multiscale w/ perpendicular fret at 7th or 8th fret
Pickups: still have to get through the options, Johan @ Lundgren told me that he might build a custom angled M7 for me, but it depends on the angle as well, so we have to figure out if it's gonna be suitable or not...dream combination would be Lundgren M7 at the bridge and Aftermath at the neck position w/ coil tap and parallel wiring options
Bridge & hardware: ABM 3210 monorails, Schaller M6 Mini tuners, bone nut, Dimarzio vol pot, all black hardware

Body shape is gonna be based on the classic Parker Fly design and the concept is that we won't use any high gloss finish, only oiled surfaces and the body is not going to be a carbon copy, but we'll use the shape as a starting point. The project's planned to be well documented here, most

Here's the swamp ash body blank:

 

[espman]

I have a feeling that this is going to turn out to be one of the most epic builds is sso history, can't wait to see how it turns out

 

[BlackMastodon]

^ Yep. Been waiting for a Parker copy for a loooong time.

 

[ASoC]

really excited to see how this turns out, I've always liked Parkers... but a seven string Parker?

 

[bluevoodoo]

I'm also very excited about it, the guy who's building it for me has made a 7-string fanned-fret Blackmachine copy and it's awesome. He's not the officially educated luthier type of guy but has a real talent and his instruments play like butter with a killer sound. Here's a pic of the B7 copy he built:

 

[anthonyferguson]

Giggety.

 

[Goatchrist]

excited too!

 

[bluevoodoo]

If you know good places where I can find gorgeous pieces of birdseye maple, don't hesitate to tell me

 

[bluevoodoo]

These are the possibilities to choose from for a top:

 

[scherzo1928]

Lmii has some very very pretty birdseye maple fingerboards... however the shipping would probably cost you a lot more than the wood itself.

 

[bluevoodoo]

Here are the finalists for fingerboard & top material:

Problem is I can't really decide at the moment

 

[wookie606]

Soo much yummy

 

[bluevoodoo]

Aaaaand the decision is made Birdseye maple #32 and AAA grade figured European walnut #18 are the winners

 

[danifigo]

Goddamit' right choice!
Sincerely the luthier buddy

 

[s4tch]

Subscribed.

 

[Barney]

Dan, I might have to rob you once this is finished. XD

 

[bluevoodoo]

Some of the wood and hardware already arrived:

Schaller M6 Mini w/ ebonol button:

ABM 3210 single bridge:

Close-up of the wood grain (North-American swamp ash):

...and another one:

 

[kruneh]

This is going to be pretty sweet!
Very nice piece of ash there.

 

[Barney]

Bump - what's up?

 

[rick0link]

Add me to the subbed list! This looks like it will pan out to be all kinds of awesome.