Strange Design Forums

Gear Heads => Guitars => Topic started by: picture_of_nectar on March 27, 2013, 08:23:00 PM

Title: David Myka Dragonfly Hollowbody build
Post by: picture_of_nectar on March 27, 2013, 08:23:00 PM
I have this Thread going over on TGP but thought some of you guys might be interested. I have a crazy looking guitar being built by David Myka. A Dragonfly "Supreme" Hollowbody.

The build began in November 2012, and is about 1 month from completion. This has been a really fun project.

First I personally selected the Burl Walnut Top from this dealer, check out some of his pieces... http://www.woodnut.com/products/products.htm
This was neat, i bought the block off his ebay store under David's guidance and had it shipped directly to my house. I wanted to see it and hold it in person before it was to take shape. David said it's one of the most insane pieces of wood he's ever seen. This piece was harvested from a fallen walnut tree in California, and dried for 5 years.

This is the piece
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eLC8Zewn1HY/UTA2rW1ZwOI/AAAAAAAAJW4/wgcNitKe74I/s640/photo%252812%2529.JPG)

David recommended a Black Limba body and neck he has been saving for 12 years, cut from the same block he built his first guitar from.
(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/InProgress/143-ml/02.jpg)

Here is the Top cut:
(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/InProgress/143-ml/03.jpg)

The Dragonfly is a full hollow body design built like an archtop with parallel bracing, similar to a Languedoc. The braces here are reinforced with graphite.
(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/InProgress/143-ml/08.jpg)

(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/InProgress/143-ml/07.jpg)

David gave me about 10 choices of fingerboards including some really crazy figured rosewood. in the end I chose a Curl ebony piece, I felt the black would compliment the dark colors of the top nicely, and i have always been a fan of ebony. The adornments such as the tailpiece, bridge and knobs will also be ebony.

(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/InProgress/143-ml/fb01.jpg)

Madagascar Rosewood binding
(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/InProgress/143-ml/b01.jpg)

Abalone Dragonfly logo inlay
(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/InProgress/143-ml/09.jpg)

(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/InProgress/143-ml/11.jpg)

and more Walnut burl from the same piece for the headstock veneer.
(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/InProgress/143-ml/10.jpg)


Bound F-holes
(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/InProgress/143-ml/13.jpg)

Ready for lacquer pics!

(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/InProgress/143-ml/20.jpg)

(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/InProgress/143-ml/21.jpg)

(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/InProgress/143-ml/22.jpg)

(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/InProgress/143-ml/23.jpg)

(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/InProgress/143-ml/24.jpg)

(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/InProgress/143-ml/25.jpg)

(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/InProgress/143-ml/26.jpg)

(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/InProgress/143-ml/15.jpg)

(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/InProgress/143-ml/18.jpg)

(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/InProgress/143-ml/19.jpg)

Electronics will likely be Lollar imperial Humbuckers, 1 Volume, 1 tone, 3 Way switch... Series/Parrallel mini switches, all similar to Languedoc wiring. It will also have the added options of a Push-Pull switch on the tone knob that puts the pickups out-of-phase, as well as an inboard Piezo acoustic pickup with it's own volume knob.

Title: Re: David Myka Dragonfly Hollowbody build
Post by: sour d on March 27, 2013, 09:43:40 PM
Very nice. Veeerrry nice.
Title: Re: David Myka Dragonfly Hollowbody build
Post by: the_great_lemon on March 27, 2013, 09:59:39 PM
Oh my, that is special!  :o

Congrats!
Title: Re: David Myka Dragonfly Hollowbody build
Post by: webephishin on March 27, 2013, 11:02:38 PM
i'm diggin thet dragonfly inlay.
Title: Re: David Myka Dragonfly Hollowbody build
Post by: Happyorange27 on April 01, 2013, 12:23:10 PM
Awesome!
Title: Re: David Myka Dragonfly Hollowbody build
Post by: Heady Jam Fan on April 02, 2013, 09:55:20 PM
that wood is wild, sweet!
Title: Re: David Myka Dragonfly Hollowbody build
Post by: Stecks on April 03, 2013, 02:51:21 PM
Gorgeous... can't wait to hear that thing.  Post a vid.
Title: Re: David Myka Dragonfly Hollowbody build
Post by: sour d on April 03, 2013, 09:01:46 PM
Can you add an inlay of a pair of boots to go with that dragonfly?
Title: Re: David Myka Dragonfly Hollowbody build
Post by: picture_of_nectar on April 03, 2013, 10:27:41 PM
lol...good one
Title: Re: David Myka Dragonfly Hollowbody build
Post by: cactuskeeb on April 06, 2013, 05:10:33 PM
Can I borrow your languedoc for a while after you get this new guitar?
Title: Re: David Myka Dragonfly Hollowbody build
Post by: mblem22 on April 14, 2013, 11:24:49 PM
That is a thing of beauty.  Any updates on this build?
Title: Re: David Myka Dragonfly Hollowbody build
Post by: picture_of_nectar on April 15, 2013, 12:26:57 PM
Nitro has been applied, David is working on wiring it up now....
Title: Re: David Myka Dragonfly Hollowbody build
Post by: Happyorange27 on April 15, 2013, 09:01:31 PM
Quote from: cactuskeeb on April 06, 2013, 05:10:33 PM
Can I borrow your languedoc for a while after you get this new guitar?
Ha!
Title: Re: David Myka Dragonfly Hollowbody build
Post by: picture_of_nectar on May 13, 2013, 04:53:39 PM
The Wicked Burl Dragonfly is complete!

She sounds incredible! Had her wired the same as my Languedoc G4 with the addition of a Piezo acoustic pickup. Playing characteristics are very similar to the Doc, only I'd say the Feedback is a bit more easily controlled.

http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/143/default.htm

(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/143/42.jpg)

(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/143/44.jpg)

(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/143/46.jpg)

(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/143/56.jpg)

(http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/143/72.jpg)

Title: Re: David Myka Dragonfly Hollowbody build
Post by: the_great_lemon on May 14, 2013, 02:57:15 PM
*proceeds to drool* That is b-e-a-utilful
Title: Re: David Myka Dragonfly Hollowbody build
Post by: Heady Jam Fan on May 14, 2013, 07:19:10 PM
Sweet!
Which coil do you have wired for coil-tap in each pup?
Title: Re: David Myka Dragonfly Hollowbody build
Post by: picture_of_nectar on May 14, 2013, 09:33:21 PM
um, good question! I dunno, but I can ask David. I just left it up for him to decide what was best on a lot of the specifics...the guy knows his shit.
Title: Re: David Myka Dragonfly Hollowbody build
Post by: Heady Jam Fan on May 15, 2013, 08:21:10 AM
Its probably the screw slugs. You can test on your own by putting it in the single coil setting and plucking something metal (like an old string) over each slug/coil - whichever slug its over when the plucking sounds louder is the coil thats on.
Title: Re: David Myka Dragonfly Hollowbody build
Post by: Happyorange27 on May 15, 2013, 08:30:57 AM
I would think so too.  Does anyone ever split to the inside coils?  Not that I've seen.  You would not have as much contrast.
Title: Re: David Myka Dragonfly Hollowbody build
Post by: Heady Jam Fan on May 15, 2013, 05:42:50 PM
Quote from: Happyorange27 on May 15, 2013, 08:30:57 AM
I would think so too.  Does anyone ever split to the inside coils?  Not that I've seen.  You would not have as much contrast.

There are benefits to various configurations. Some people like the inside coil for coil-tap at least for the bridge pup. I've gone back and forth, actually not certain what I have wired now, lol. Sometimes I think the outside of the bridge is too bright and not thick enough sounding - I've used the inside coil for bridge and outside for neck before. I've also done both inside coils or both outside coils. While I agree with you, its nice to have the contrast of using the two far coils, sometimes a more subtle tonal change feels more controlled.