MGCS workshop ramblings…

[Silky999]

A couple of dangerously pretty new bits of timber have snuck into the workshop today, so I thought I’d share before I start inventing excuses to keep them for myself.

 

First up: ziricote. Because apparently what my life was missing was wood that looks like it’s been hand-drawn by a slightly unhinged tattoo artist. Dark, dramatic, and absolutely screaming “don’t you dare paint me solid”.

 

 

Then there’s some curly ambrosia maple, which looks all innocent from a distance and then up close goes full jazz hands with spalting, curl, and insect-assisted chaos. Nature understood the brief.

 

 

Both are earmarked to be paired with sapele(ziricote) and Lebanese cedar(curly ambrosia) for future builds, which should be a nice mix of sensible fundamentals underneath and absolute nonsense on top. Like a good rhythm section supporting an overconfident lead guitarist. I also have a set of custom USA Bartolini radius shaped soapbar pickups from a prestige Ibanez to use up,

 

Also did a quick headstock branding test while I was at it. No big announcement, no polished marketing spiel — just a “let’s see what happens if I apply heat to wood and hope for the best” moment. Happy to report: the headstock did not catch fire, I quite like the scorching coming out from the brand and the logo is still legible. Always a win. I used shellac on the back and headstock of this neck and after sanding the back it feels gorgeous. The headstock isn’t sanded yet. 
 

 

As usual, this will all be very much warts-and-all when it turns into actual instruments. There will be learning moments, mild swearing, and at least one point where I wonder why I didn’t just take up knitting.

 

Anyway — thought some of you might enjoy a bit of timber-based temptation. More to follow once these stop staring at me every time I walk into the workshop… 😅