Black Locust / Port Orford Cedar Guitar

Currently working on guitar #3. The shape is similar to a Gibson Jumbo, but dimensions are close to Martin Dreadnought. Back and sides are black locust, and top is salvaged Port Orford cedar. with dramatic figure and excellent stiffness. I installed a wenge end graft, then fought a losing battle with some over-thick wenge binding. My skills are no match for this stuff, which bent into lumpy curves, broke, stabbed me with nasty splinters and basically gave me the finger at every turn. Just ordered some dark tortoise celluloid binding which hopefully will harmonize with the blond locust and brown end graft. It will damn sure be easier to install!

Eventually installed ash binding, which turned out nice - but I'll never again use a light colored porous binding next to an ebony fingerboard! The guitar sounds great. I'm sold on Port Orford as a top wood.