Thanks guys. I'm thinking about maybe getting a second gopro and a decent mic. I have an old one already that I can use as a 'B' camera. Those and a few tripods/mounts/fill lights should probably fit in a small bag and be quick and easy to set up/tear down.

Format-wise, kinda thinking that shorter is better, utilize appreciative inquiry, let folks tell me about what's exciting for them.

#30 is assembled, should be set up and shipped out by Friday.

From marketing perspective content marketing is a good way to build a brand and get some brand loyalty, albeit it's expensive. Look at Earthquaker Devices or JHS. Wampler has a nice touch as well.
If your content can teach the viewer something and be entertaining, you're golden. </vomit>

From journalistic perspective I'd say: just have a conversation. Sure, have a goal, have a brief chat before hitting record and do your homework, but a conversation is usually a better way to go than a shotgun interview.

Don't stress about the duration, although kill your darlings. Brief but informative is better than convoluted ego wank (which I'm sure you're going to do, you huge ego wanker you).

#30 is finished. Pretty happy with how it turned out. 6 pounds, 14 ounces, no neck dive. Could have made it considerably lighter, but with the 25.5 scale I didn't want to upset the balance. I will use the proceeds from this to replace a couple tools that got worn out and pick up a good gopro and mic so I can do some test runs on this show idea. As things develop, I'd feedback/recommendations, etc.

Been pretty busy in the shop. The owner of #30 is very happy with the instrument. #31 and #32 are going together pretty well. I do think working in pairs is way more efficient, especially with setting up tooling and stacking operations. The bodies are both routed and ready to start the sanding process. The receivers are also coming along- necks are shaped and ready for their carbon fiber spine. By next week I hope to have both bodies ready for finish and have the fretboards on.
And I've been working on a couple very fun side projects- one of which should be finished in a couple weeks.

More good progress. In the interest of being able to apply finish on all sides of a body in one go, and having 2 bodies to work on, I put together a pair of holders out of scrap. works great. As seen here, the 230 is pre-stain treatment and 2 cots of watco danish oil, and the lp is the same pre-stain, and 2 coats of minwax oil based ebony. Both will sit for 48 hours, then will start on about a dozen cots of shellac, sanding #600 between the first few coats, then #1000 for the last few.
The necks have the carbon fiber installed and the major sanding/smoothing complete. I hope to get all the prep done so I can attach the fretboards this week.
RE: the potential web series. I spent a lot of time this week trying to iron out tech- getting an upgrade mic, finding gopro accessories for #2 camera, etc. I've been putting together a slate of good 'energy-creating' sort of questions and a list of olks I want to chat with, local-ish. I don't want to draw any hard lines, but really more interested in fun, cool folks, rather than people with 'clout' or 'profile' or whatever the kids call it. I think I'll do a test run with a band mate, since they are contractually obligated to tolerate my bullshit.

Dying to see the ebony les Paul set up. Love that transparent look.

Frankie99 wrote: Tue Jul 01, 2025 1:26 am Dying to see the ebony les Paul set up. Love that transparent look.

ditto

First mock up of #31, ebony LP. This one will be an absolute monster. Should get the frets dressed and body drilled/electronics started this week. And not far behind, #32 walnut 200 series, 27.5" scale. Body is finished, neck is finish machined and sanded to 320. Frets should be in by the end of the week. I have scheduled my first interview for the web thing with my buddy Tommy. I worked as a tech as his shop for 8 years, he taught me a ton, and has amazing Danelectro and Epiphone Coronet collections. Likely 1-2 weeks out.

fuck yeah to all of that, Jury!

#31 is almost done- Bareknuckle Black Dogs. Gonna set up for 13-62. Did my first interview today. will start importing footage and editing tonight. might take some time until I figure out what I want to do w/ it.