Tues.18.09.07. An extra hour working on the upper layer of the dash has confirmed that the configuration of a two-tier dashboard should prove to be a successful solution to pursue. The timber from Monsieur Luzan has sanded down to reveal a ‘Tiger stripe’ that is more consistent with guitar making rather than dashboard design. The famous USA guitar maker “Gibson” has produced a Les Paul single cut away from 1958 through to the present day, apart from the mid sixties when an inferior alternative was offered. The guitar has a solid body made up of a mahogany base capped by a carved maple top powered by twin humbucking pick ups. This combination of woods produces the rich warm tones significantly unique to this model. The valued specimens are the original 59 and 60’s guitars which have been owned and wonderfully played by past masters such as Peter Green, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and David Kossoff (Paul, really, only joking). Another attribute that has been associated with the ageing process has been the way the once sunburst top has faded naturally over the years into the flamed honeyburst. This is categorised by a rich book matched stripe that runs through the cap of the instrument. The very distinctive ones are known as ‘Tiger stripe’. The two samples of wood that Alain Luzan has provided are two impressive examples of this particular phenomenon; one of the pieces in particular has a prominent series of vertically figured striations running through its entire length. Possibly because of these somewhat bizarre connections with guitars, maple caps and most significantly the ability to reveal the splendour of the grain, it must be Richie, the master guitar maker, who will be offered the task of building the dash.
The used, broken windscreen obtained from Life’s motors has at long last been delivered to ‘Caldwells Marine windscreen Specialists’ of Wigan who recommend two choices of approach; a laminated proven screen or the more desirable toughened glass option that contains a clear plastic membrane to prevent shattering and stone chips.
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