Birdseye Bender Belle

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 19 Dec 2011 10:40 am

Here is a fun one I thought I'd share. Its the final revision of my Southern Belle model with some nice birdseye and a Dusenberg multibender bridge.

Some basic specs
24.5" scale
Select quartersawn African mahogany
Birdseye maple fretboard and custom trim package
Custom hand wound BG-Pups pickups
4 Way rotary switching

And some pics

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George Piburn · Post by **George Piburn** » 19 Dec 2011 11:16 am

Super Yummy ,

As with all of your instruments. Bravo !

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 19 Dec 2011 11:28 am

luv the knobs!

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 19 Dec 2011 11:46 am

Thanks Mr Boards and Chris

luv the knobs!

Its a small detail, but one that I think adds nicely to the overall project. They are kind of a pain in the butt to make, but after they are done I'm always glad I made the extra effort.

Carl McLaughlin · Post by **Carl McLaughlin** » 19 Dec 2011 1:43 pm

Beautiful looking guitar.Is it possable to put the bender set up on an 8 string??.I am interested, and what string would be bent and the tuning if using C6..Carl

Lynn Oliver · Post by **Lynn Oliver** » 19 Dec 2011 3:12 pm

Since I got off the DL I haven't been on the forum much, but I can see your guitars continue to look better and better. Gorgeous!

Stephen Abruzzo · Post by **Stephen Abruzzo** » 19 Dec 2011 4:12 pm

Sweet looking Belle Tom.

What tuning is she in? Which BG pups did you use?

ebb · Post by **ebb** » 19 Dec 2011 6:34 pm

is it for sale?

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 19 Dec 2011 7:03 pm

Thanks all

Carl ... Its a subject I've pondered on several occasions and have concluded that with a little work, it could be used on an 8 string. It would require a little milling / shaving down of the outside shoulder to make room for a little satellite / mini bridge to carry the other 2 strings. It does not need a lot taken off, a couple millimeters would do.

Lynn ... good to see you around!

Steve ... Its in an open E with the benders set to raise #2 from B to C# and #3 rom G# to A
The pickups are based off of Bryans A3 RockWind set. Basically they are built like a 50's style Tele set with the oversize Alnico 3 magnets, but wound to have less twang and more of a focus on a big and rich full voice.

ebb ... sorry, but it is not available. It was a custom order and is spoken for.

ebb · Post by **ebb** » 19 Dec 2011 7:17 pm

put me first in line when the owner wants to sell

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 20 Dec 2011 4:09 pm

swwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeet!.......you are really putting out some great builds.....

Steve Ahola · Post by **Steve Ahola** » 20 Dec 2011 7:49 pm

Tom Pettingill wrote:Here is a fun one I thought I'd share. Its the final revision of my Southern Belle model with some nice birdseye and a Dusenberg multibender bridge.
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For a minute there I thought that was my kitchen faucet on your geetar!

Steve Ahola

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 21 Dec 2011 8:17 am

Thanks Howard

... its been a fun journey and a wonderful opportunity for me to bring these instruments to life.

Steve ... LoL ... thats a German tone dispenser ... not a Grohe

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 21 Dec 2011 9:07 am

Lovely guitar, Tom. I think that Duesenberg would drive me nuts in that position, as I tend to like to hover over the bridge sometimes with my right hand.

Carl McLaughlin · Post by **Carl McLaughlin** » 21 Dec 2011 12:53 pm

Hey MIKE I SENT YOU A PRIVATE MESSAGE,DID YOU RECEIVE IT??? CARL

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 21 Dec 2011 5:23 pm

Thanks Mike and yea, those bender bridges are not everyone's cup of tea. I can definitely see their appeal for some players and they are a lot of fun to play with. The good news is that the palm levers easily fold back and out of the way if you want / need.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 21 Dec 2011 6:39 pm

Don't get me wrong, Tom, I'd love to mess around with the benders, but I think it would make me have to change my technique too much. Very cool and well made unit, though.

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 22 Dec 2011 9:50 am

Hey Mike, no, I totally understand and am myself in the same camp. Like I mentioned, while I can see the appeal and usefulness, they are not my personal cup of tea either.

I had someone asking about the inlay so here is a little more about it and a slightly better pic.
The fret markers are made from laminated sheets of .016 aluminum and .030 black fiberboard. The dot bezels / surrounds are thin wall aluminum tubing and the black dots were cut from some leftover pickup bobbin fiberboard.

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Mike D · Post by **Mike D** » 22 Dec 2011 12:47 pm

As usual, a stellar job. Hard to go wrong with beautiful materials, design and execution.

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 23 Dec 2011 10:18 am

Thanks Mike

Carl McLaughlin · Post by **Carl McLaughlin** » 26 Dec 2011 6:06 pm

I am also interested in purchasing ..price w/ case..Carl

Carl McLaughlin · Post by **Carl McLaughlin** » 3 Jan 2012 5:22 pm

Got my ordered,can hardly wait.Also ordered a Hatton tweed case for it..christmas all over ..Carl

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 4 Jan 2012 10:17 am

I'm excited to build one of my babies for you Carl

... and good call on the Tweed, Kevin does a great job on his cases

David Keller · Post by **David Keller** » 11 Jan 2012 7:26 am

The two tone frets, Aluminum/Black/Aluminum are amazing.

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 11 Jan 2012 7:10 pm

Thanks David

.. its a little bit of a pain to do, especially the logo, but I really like it a lot. This is the second time I've done it, first was the prototype and we are going to do Carl's like this one too.

Here is a pic of it on the zebrawood Belle prototype

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