L-03 Blackwood polished and heavily upgraded - SOLD - SOLD

[fitness1]

BLACKWOOD IS SOLD


Just like me.....I've spent MANY hours getting this one playing and sounding incredible - but I've been approached by a well known builder about doing a prototype guitar and will need some funds to help out with that project.

I saw this a couple months back and even through the satin finish, I knew there was a LOT of flame hiding underneath - so I took it as a challenge to find out just how much.  I used 0000 steel wool and Meguiar's Deep Crystal Polish on the back/sides/top and headstock overlay.  The result to the finish itself was kind of what you see on Mcilroy and Lowdens - maybe just a little bit more luster on this one.  As you can see from the pictures, the wow factor of the wood itself is pretty crazy.

Here is a list of the other upgrades:

Bone Larrivee saddle (from Larrivee) fine compensation done by me to get the intonation as close as humanly possible.

I took the instrument to my tech at Elderly to get some high/unseated frets taken care of - he did so and leveled everything afterward.  There was no wear at all previously.

I've strategically placed to ports on the upper and lower bass bout - slowly increased their size until it felt like I'd achieved optimum changes in air resonance.  The upper bout port is slightly larger than the lower on purpose. If you've not been an advocate of ports in the past - just plug them up and play, then pull them out and be ready to raise your eyebrows.

Ebony/abalone bridge pins replaced the original plastic ones.

Strap button added at neck heel

I upgraded the original flat lid case to a very nice Crossrock ABS case that is quite surprisingly good - not a Calton, but VERY protective and the latches work great.    There is very slight shifting inside it, but I will fill it in for shipping.


Sitka Spruce top, Blackwood (Australian, I believe) back and sides, ebony fingerboard and bridge, curly maple binding on body. 1 3/4 nut - 2 3/16 saddle - 25.5 scale. Current action at the 12th a little over 5/64 and 4/64 with tons of saddle to come down, but I doubt you'll touch it.

Only thing to mention regarding condition is that the polishing revealed some very minor dimples in the finish - one very tiny one on the top, and a "wormy" area on the back.  Other than that - perfect 100% condition cosmetically and structurally.

Just a wonderful sounding and playing instrument by any measure, but at this price point, a total no brainer.   It truly gives many 2k used guitars I've had here a run for their money (and takes a few down)  If it weren't for the prototype build I'd hang on tight.

With all the upgrades and time I have into this, it's going to take 895 for me to let it go.   Shipping will be actual (buyer's cost) on my Fedex account and to the CONUS only.   Add 20 for Paypal and I'll cover the rest.

NO TRADES PLEASE

Here's a quick track I recorded with it a couple weeks back - capo'd at 2nd fret.  Make sure and turn the volume slider up on Box before playing...

https://app.box.com/s/2hjtftonk80wgej6xngomxmo6cr6ujuo

fitstop@charter.net



Before....



After....

[unclrob]

 

[fitness1]

Haha - ya, but if you knew the offer I just got, you'd understand completely!!

[unclrob]

If it was an OM and had money,I would love one of your adventures.

[George]

If it was a dread, or had a narrow nut width, I would be clamoring for it...

[fitness1]

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[LawDogStrgsAttach]

About time.  I thought I was going to have to rescue it!