Potvin Guitars

[Mike Potvin]

Here's a Ranchero Grande thinline in-progress. Flamed maple on walnut goodness.

This one isn't spoken for so unless someone's interested I'm going to pick the colour!

http://potvinguitars.com/oldsite/builds/100303/part01/images/06_drilling%20controls.jpg

[dougk]

Mike you tease. :p

[Sam Evans]

You sure that's where you want that hole?

[drezdin]

You sure that's where you want that hole?
Don't you love that feeling you get in your stomach when you realize you made a major booboo like that.

[Sam Evans]

Don't you love that feeling you get in your stomach when you realize you made a major booboo like that.

The worst! I bet Mike and Doug can identify with it too.

That looks superb, Mike. What's your thickness? Any luck with "Alamo?"

[Mike Potvin]

You sure that's where you want that hole?

:rotflmaoYes Sir, that is preee-cisely where that hole belongs!


That top is 1/4". I still need to call your friends at Alamo to see what they can do. The world *needs* a mesquite Ranchero (thinline or otherwise!).

[Mike Potvin]

Here's the colour I brewed up for this one. What do you think? I'm not sure what I call it, but I like it! Kind of a Gretschy-Bengal tiger thing.

When it's done it'll have a glossy top and a satin back and sides. Crazy thin finish on the back and chambered body should make this one sing!

http://potvinguitars.com/img/misc/ranchero_thinline_orange.jpg

[dougk]

Sweeeeeeet!!!

[Malinoski]

Nice one Mike.
So light it levitates.

[Mike Potvin]

Nice one Mike.
So light it levitates.

Thanks Pete. The levitating is courtesy of my high-tech anti-gravity spray booth :)

Now that I've settled on the colour, I think I'll pair it up with this maple / wenge neck. The fretboard is nice and chocolatey. Oil finish, clear on the headstock only.

http://potvinguitars.com/img/misc/flamed_neck.jpg

[dougk]

Mike you'll love the Wenge fretboards. Its hands down my favorite.

[Mike Potvin]

While the clear coats are drying on the thinline, I've got a few other odds and ends to finish up. Here's one. It's the fretboard for a custom El Camino. In this case when I say custom, I mean custom- roller bridge, Bigsby, single filtertron, 25" scale and a silver sparkle finish! The customer has decided to nickname this one project "MOFO" :rotflmao


http://potvinguitars.com/oldsite/builds/091011/part02/images/02_inlay_chisel.jpg

http://potvinguitars.com/oldsite/builds/091011/part02/images/04_inlay_epoxy.jpg

http://potvinguitars.com/oldsite/builds/091011/part02/images/06_mofo_parts.jpg

[dougk]

NICE!! That's going to be freaking sweet!

[Sam Evans]

I really want to see this one when it's done!!!

[Mike Potvin]

I really want to see this one when it's done!!!

I'm liking this one more and more Sam. It's going to be a little on the blingy side, but in a Gretsch kind of way.

Here's some funky meets bling I'm wiring up now. It's not a great picture but the top is metallic white.

http://potvinguitars.com/img/misc/merc_white_wiring.jpg

[dougk]

YES!!! That's looking GREAT!!

[Mike Potvin]

This one is heading out the door tomorrow. The top is metallic white but the flake is so small and subtle that it's hard to capture with a camera.

http://www.potvinguitars.com/oldsite/gallery/015/mercury_end.jpg


The back is what I'm calling a satin finish. The grain is not filled although I used a little heavily watered down black filler for character. This finish leaves the neck feeling almost raw.

http://www.potvinguitars.com/oldsite/gallery/015/mercury_back_reflection.jpg

More pics here (http://potvinguitars.com/gallery/mercury/_016/)

Mike

[dougk]

Awesome!!! You know upside down it almost has an iceman vibe going for it. Pretty cool! Bet your customer is thrilled to be getting this guy Mike.

[Mike Potvin]

Awesome!!! You know upside down it almost has an iceman vibe going for it. Pretty cool! Bet your customer is thrilled to be getting this guy Mike.

It does have kind of an Iceman vibe going on when its upside down doesn't it?! Maybe this one crept into my brain when I was mixing up the colour for the back of the Mercury ;)

http://www.potvinguitars.com/oldsite/gallery/005/iceman_body2.jpg

[Mike Potvin]

This one is in the home-stretch. It should ship to it's new owner early next week.

http://potvinguitars.com/img/misc/thinline_wiring.jpg


Here's a demo that Doug at Mountain Cat Guitars did recently

cNN05lGxNKE

[Mike Potvin]

Its hard to capture the colour of this one (which I've called "fireglow orange"). It really does seem to be glowing, but not in a neon orange way.

http://potvinguitars.com/oldsite/gallery/016/ranchero_front.jpg



The top is full gloss and the back has a no grain fill satin finish.
http://potvinguitars.com/oldsite/gallery/016/ranchero_back.jpg



http://potvinguitars.com/oldsite/gallery/016/ranchero_switch.jpg


http://potvinguitars.com/oldsite/gallery/016/ranchero_headstock.jpg

Specs:
flamed maple top on walnut
wenge on flamed maple fretboard
Gotoh vintage tuners
Pigtail wraparound bridge
TV Jones Classic Filtertrons
Pau Ferro cavity covers

There are more pics of this one here (http://potvinguitars.com/gallery/ranchero/_002/).

Mike

[starjag]

Outstanding instruments Mike!

[Mike Potvin]

Thanks! Where in Ontario are you?


Meanwhile Project "MoFo" (a custom El Camino) rolls onward...

http://potvinguitars.com/oldsite/builds/091011/part03/images/01_tuner_hole_jig.jpg

http://potvinguitars.com/oldsite/builds/091011/part03/images/04_mock_up.jpg

[Malinoski]

http://potvinguitars.com/builds/091011/part03/images/01_tuner_hole_jig.jpg


Beauty Mike.

Drill pin guy looks nervous.

[dougk]

Freaking GORGEOUS Mike! Love the color!!

[Mike Potvin]

Beauty Mike.

Drill pin guy looks nervous.

Pete, you're the first person to notice drill pin guy! It must be because, as an arteeest, you can spot fine art when you see it :rotflmao

[Mike Potvin]

The UPS man brought me an early present a few days ago. Doug Myer at Mountain Cat Guitars sent me his 1958 Les Paul Jr doublecut so I could go over it with a microscope.

http://potvinguitars.com/img/58/58_Jr1.jpg

http://potvinguitars.com/img/58/58_Jr_neck_profile3.jpg

http://potvinguitars.com/img/58/58_Jr_neck_profile2.jpg



I bet "Eddie Moss" wishes that he a) still had this guitar and b) hadn't scratched his name in the back!!! :rotflmao

http://potvinguitars.com/img/58/58_Jr_Eddie_Moss.jpg

[Mike Potvin]

Lots of progress on Project '58 since last I posted!

Getting ready for final sanding. You can see a stack of '58 bodies in the background.
http://www.potvinguitars.com/img/58/58_jr_01_neck_shaping.jpg

http://www.potvinguitars.com/img/58/58_jr_02_fretting.jpg

http://www.potvinguitars.com/img/58/58_jr_03_necks.jpg


Spanish Cedar neck and body
http://www.potvinguitars.com/img/58/58_jr_04_test_fit.jpg



The obligatory "no glue" daredevil shot :)
http://www.potvinguitars.com/img/58/58_jr_05_neck_joint_test.jpg

[Mike Potvin]

Headstock logo design:

http://www.potvinguitars.com/img/58/project58_logo.jpg


Here's the plan:

http://www.potvinguitars.com/img/58/project58_headstock.jpg

[Malinoski]

Pure elegance.
What factories wish they could do.

[Mike Potvin]

Pure elegance.
What factories wish they could do.

You are too kind sir :)


Drilling
http://www.potvinguitars.com/img/58/58_jack_drilling.jpg

Glue
http://www.potvinguitars.com/img/58/58_necks_glued.jpg

[Jon Silberman]

Are you related to Dennis? (Serious question.)

[Mike Potvin]

Are you related to Dennis? (Serious question.)


Nope. You know, I've been asked that question ever since I was in grade one (by my math, I'm currently in grade 38:roll).

[Malinoski]

http://www.potvinguitars.com/img/58/58_jack_drilling.jpg



Good one.
I'm stealing it.
My method is more... unpredictable.

[Mike Potvin]

Good one.
I'm stealing it.
My method is more... unpredictable.

Steal away Pete. Its just a base with a different MDF template for every body shape. If you haven't tried them, get yourself a Freud forstner bit. Those things are the light sabre of forstner bits!

http://www.potvinguitars.com/img/58/58_jack_hole_jig.jpg

[Mike Potvin]

Both E strings have been pumped full of "E"...

http://www.potvinguitars.com/img/58/58_intonated.jpg

[Mike Potvin]

Ready for some TV yellow action...
http://www.potvinguitars.com/img/58/58_ready_for_paint.jpg


For old school TV yellow first you need some white
http://www.potvinguitars.com/img/58/58_tv_in_progress.jpg


White!
http://www.potvinguitars.com/img/58/58_white.jpg

http://www.potvinguitars.com/img/58/58_white2.jpg

[dougk]

NICE Mike!

[Nitebob]

Can't wait to play one at Mountain Cat Guitars..........

nitebob

[Mountain Cat Guitars]

Me too!!!!

[JiMB]

Lookin' really nice Mike!

Jim

[ptdesign]

Wow. I mean wow.

[dougk]

I always like seeing rear cavities so nice and clean. No fuzziness, no sloppy routing. Its a great indicator of attention to detail IMO.

just killer buddy :D

[fyrwyr]

Nice work;)

[Mike Potvin]

Thanks guys!

I'm brewing up some trans red for the other two...

[Mike Potvin]

Well folks, a small change in plans has come up. I just wasn't happy with the two TV yellow 58s I had in progress (I'm really anal about stuff like applying finishes). And since I apply colour to the raw wood for TV yellow, it's really difficult to correct a paint job I'm not happy with. So, when life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. the 2 that were originally planned to be TV yellow are now lined up to be custom solid colours! In the meantime, I've switched focus to the two trans red 58s.

http://potvinguitars.com/img/58/58_sc_red01.jpg

http://potvinguitars.com/img/58/58_decal_front.jpg


While I'm waiting for the finish to harden up enough to buff them out, I've also been working on pickguards and cavity covers. I can't find the right tortoise shell for this project, so these first few will be solid black pickguards.
http://potvinguitars.com/img/58/58_mockup.jpg

On most of my guitars I make wooden cavity covers, but that seems to fancy-shmancy for this model. So, I put together a quick jig to knock out cavity covers using pickguard material:
http://potvinguitars.com/img/58/cavity_cover_jig4.jpg

Fits like a charm!
http://potvinguitars.com/img/58/58_cover_test.jpg

[Mike Potvin]

These are the first two prototype '58s shipped out to Doug at MountainCatguitars.com. Doug has a great tech guy in-house so the final assembly and setup was done at Mountain Cat.

http://potvinguitars.com/img/58/58_ready_to_ship.jpg


Once they were finished up, Doug took them out to the Brooklyn Guitar Show where they got some serious play time.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i216/musicguy66/IMG_6483.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i216/musicguy66/IMG_6490.jpg


Doug has a couple of quick and dirty videos up now on Youtube and the HD quality ones are on the way soon!

Mike

[psyandy]

Amazing stuff!!! Best of luck. I love that flametop T style you did.

[Mike Potvin]

A few pics of some finished '58s...
Red and TV Yellow (the standard colours)...

http://potvinguitars.com/img/58/potvin_58_red.jpg

http://potvinguitars.com/img/58/potvin_58_tv_yellow.jpg


I had a request for a gold one. I like the gold/black combo.

http://potvinguitars.com/img/58/potvin_58_gold.jpg


And last, another request... korina

http://potvinguitars.com/img/58/potvin_58_korina.jpg

[dougk]

Gold black = sooooo yummy

[TresGatos]

Will you have any at the Montreal show?

...and the gold one looks amazing. :eeks

You should marry that photographer :) such great pics.

[Mike Potvin]

Will you have any at the Montreal show?

...and the gold one looks amazing. :eeks

You should marry that photographer :) such great pics.

They all shipped out except the red one and it's coming to Montreal with me this weekend. I'm anxious for you to take it for a spin (I know how you love the chunky neck profiles)

Oh, and my photographer says "Hi" :)

[Mike Potvin]

Haven't posted in a while. Here's some stuff in progress:

http://potvinguitars.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/korina_rancheros.jpg

http://potvinguitars.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/58_pelham_front.jpg

[Mike Potvin]

Here's a new twist someone asked for; TV Jones Power'Trons in a P90 foot print. I havent done P'Trons with korina before so I'm anxious to hear the results.

http://potvinguitars.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/powertrons2.jpg


And here's Lance taking a Ranchero Grande thinline for a test drive. Thanks lance!

84KL5HQJqtI

[Sam Evans]

Here's a new twist someone asked for; TV Jones Power'Trons in a P90 foot print. I havent done P'Trons with korina before so I'm anxious to hear the results.

http://potvinguitars.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/powertrons2.jpg


And here's Lance taking a Ranchero Grande thinline for a test drive. Thanks lance!

84KL5HQJqtI

Love that video, Mike. Great to talk to you this morning.

[Mike Potvin]

Love that video, Mike. Great to talk to you this morning.

Yep, good to catch up with you too Sam. Next time I'll weasel a gumbo recipe or two out of you :)

Lance's videos are fantastic. I have a batch of guitars that should be headed his way in a month or so. I'm anxious to see what he'll pull out of one of these...

http://potvinguitars.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/022_killer_bee/killer_bee_end.jpg

[MOJO]

It does have kind of an Iceman vibe going on when its upside down doesn't it?! Maybe this one crept into my brain when I was mixing up the colour for the back of the Mercury ;)

http://www.potvinguitars.com/oldsite/gallery/005/iceman_body2.jpg


Wow.. Probably the sweetest Iceman inspired ax I've ever seen..

Ahh memories... My first electric guitar.. Kinda have a soft spot for them, guys didn't know my name but people would always say ...your the guy with the Iceman.. right?

[Mike Potvin]

Wow.. Probably the sweetest Iceman inspired ax I've ever seen..

Ahh memories... My first electric guitar.. Kinda have a soft spot for them, guys didn't know my name but people would always say ...your the guy with the Iceman.. right?

Thanks Mojo! I did that one really just for fun, but it generates a lot of web hits for sure.

On an unrelated topic, I need to send a Thank-You to Pete Malinoski for schooling me on how to use fire and blazing hot metal to make headstock goodness. Thanks Pete!

http://potvinguitars.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ranchero_brand.jpg

[Mike Potvin]

Intonation check: check!

http://potvinguitars.com/wordpress//wp-content/gallery/workshop/workshop01/korina_intonation_bigsby.jpg

[simplecomplexity]

Thanks Mojo! I did that one really just for fun, but it generates a lot of web hits for sure.

On an unrelated topic, I need to send a Thank-You to Pete Malinoski for schooling me on how to use fire and blazing hot metal to make headstock goodness. Thanks Pete!

http://potvinguitars.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ranchero_brand.jpg
oh my! i wanna do that DIY too!

[fyrwyr]

Intonation check: check!

http://potvinguitars.com/wordpress//wp-content/gallery/workshop/workshop01/korina_intonation_bigsby.jpg

I believe this is being built for my friend/amp customer Mark Potvin in Sarnia, no relation I am assuming;)

[Mike Potvin]

I believe this is being built for my friend/amp customer Mark Potvin in Sarnia, no relation I am assuming;)


Yes indeed it is for Mark (mrmuzikhead here on TGP). No relation :). Knowing Mark's love for amps, he must have your number on speed dial!

[fyrwyr]

Yes indeed it is for Mark (mrmuzikhead here on TGP). No relation :). Knowing Mark's love for amps, he must have your number on speed dial!

LOL! Mark is no slouch on the guitar either, he showed me some of his monster chops last time he was at my shop!

Great job on this guitar by the way, looks sweet as all get out!

[Mike Potvin]

From the Montreal Guitar Show:

Serious-
http://potvinguitars.com/wordpress//wp-content/gallery/montreal-guitar-show-2012/luthiergroup01_small.jpg

Not so serious-
http://potvinguitars.com/wordpress//wp-content/gallery/montreal-guitar-show-2012/luthiergroup02_small.jpg

Out of control :)
http://potvinguitars.com/wordpress//wp-content/gallery/montreal-guitar-show-2012/luthiergroup04_small.jpg


No guitars were harmed. Trained professionals on a closed course. Do not attempt :P

[Mikael Springer]

some great souvenirs from this 2012 MGS, thanks to a good idea of Mike's better half ;)

[Sam Evans]

some great souvenirs from this 2012 MGS, thanks to a good idea of Mike's better half ;)

Indeed.

[Mike Potvin]

OK, back to business: Mark picked this up at the Montreal Guitar Show. I was treated to a demo during a little pre-dinner gathering in Mark's hotel room. He even brought a vintage Fender tweed to play it through- the man loves him some gear!

More pics here (http://potvinguitars.com/gallery/mercury/mercury-bmw/)

http://potvinguitars.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/025_mercury_bmw/mercury_bmw_body.jpg

[Mike Potvin]

More Mercury goodness. This was the first of the new carved top Mercurys. The carve is quite subtle so it's hard to get a good picture of it. The pickguard is the only flat area. I'm really pleased with how these turned out. I should have demo videos soon, and more pics of the Jr version as well.

More pics of this one (http://potvinguitars.com/gallery/mercury/_024/)

http://potvinguitars.com/wordpress//wp-content/gallery/024_mercury_120528p/mercury_reflection.jpg

http://potvinguitars.com/wordpress//wp-content/gallery/024_mercury_120528p/mercury_switch.jpg

[sargebaker]

Love the Mercury. Love the show pics.

[Mike Potvin]

Thanks Nic! Through random luck, I never seem to have any Mercurys with me when the Montreal Guitar Show rolls around of course people always ask to see them (doh!). This year I made a point of adding a few extras to the build schedule so it was kind of a Mercury-palooza this year. Of course to keep everything balanced in the universe, this year everyone asked why I didn't have more Super Bees on display (doh! again). The one Swing bee I had with me was a hit though.

More pics here (http://potvinguitars.com/gallery/super-bee-series/swing-bee/)

http://potvinguitars.com/wordpress//wp-content/gallery/027_swing_bee_120529/swing_bee_reflection.jpg

http://potvinguitars.com/wordpress//wp-content/gallery/027_swing_bee_120529/swing_bee_tuners.jpg




Love the show pics.

Yup. I think you'd agree that although its a LOT of work getting to the show, once you're there its a lot of fun. Here's a little post-show tradition that seems to have developed- there's just water in those glasses. That's my story anyway :banana

http://potvinguitars.com/wordpress//wp-content/gallery/montreal-guitar-show-2012/tradition03_small.jpg

[Mike Potvin]

Ranchero Grande korina headed to Destroy All Guitars. Clear over black grain filler looks classy, rosewood on flamed maple looks blingy. Wrap it up with a set of Lollar P90s and you're good to go.

More pics here... (http://potvinguitars.com/ranchero-grande-120321/)

http://potvinguitars.com/wordpress//wp-content/gallery/028_ranchero_120321/ranchero_side.jpg

http://potvinguitars.com/wordpress//wp-content/gallery/028_ranchero_120321/ranchero_headstock.jpg

http://potvinguitars.com/wordpress//wp-content/gallery/028_ranchero_120321/ranchero_back.jpg

[Mike Potvin]

Making sure rustlers don't run off with my headstocks.

http://potvinguitars.com/img/shop/2013-02-27-branding01.jpg