My first solo build!!!

[songsender]

Many of you followed the thread about the week my son and I spent with Kevin Gallagher of Omega guitars (in May 2008). We built two very fine guitars during the week with him.

We got the bug BAD during that week and have been gathering tools to start building guitars in my garage.

Kevin was kind enough to sell me a kit to get me started on my first solo build (well actually my son and I will be working on it together.)

Here's the kit that just arrived:
http://www.wheezetones.com/band/guitarbuild2/IMG_3502.JPG

More photos can be seen at:
http://gallery.me.com/slidearts#100575

Sitka spruce top
EIR sides and back
My own design for the shape - the name is yet to be determined
Flame maple bindings
Burlwood Myrtle Rosette and possibly the butt wedge too
Maple neck - short scale with ebony fingerboard
Ebony headstock overlay

I'll be posting photos as the build progresses but wanted to share my excitement with all of you!

[rlouie]

alright Paul, I can't wait to see this build in progress............ good luck!!!!! :up:

[Jeff D]

That seems like it's going to be a lot of fun. Who's going to be getting it or is there going to be a blood match to see who get's it. Maybe a guitar off.:D

[rcemech]

Awesome! I wish I could afford to try and build. Have fun!

[songsender]

Who's going to be getting it or is there going to be a blood match to see who get's it. Maybe a guitar off.:D

Who knows.... it may end up for sale in the classifieds section here on AGF!

[James Willer]

Kevin sells kits? :cool: I've been wanting to build a guitar myself. I have Bill's book and have been reading/looking into this. Keep us posted!

[songsender]

Kevin sells kits? :cool: I've been wanting to build a guitar myself. I have Bill's book and have been reading/looking into this. Keep us posted!

Nope - I have it direct from his mouth - he does NOT sell kits! I think this was a one-time benefit for taking his class in May. He is really encouraging us!

[songsender]

Oh... by the way.... The burl Myrtle was mine - not a part of the kit.

[Eracer]

That's very exciting.

[riorider]

Very cool and very exciting! Will be exciting to see it progress...

rr

[SteveS]

You got it bad Paul. I recognize it. :D
Let me know if I can help.

[Fliss]

Wow, what an exciting project! I hope you will keep us updated with pics as you progress?

Fliss

[jwsamuel]

Kevin sells kits? :cool: I've been wanting to build a guitar myself. I have Bill's book and have been reading/looking into this. Keep us posted!

If you are looking for a good source of kits, try John Hall at Blues Creek Guitars. He can put together a kit that is exactly what you want.

Blues Creek Guitars (http://bluescreekguitars.com/)

Jim

[jwsamuel]

That seems like it's going to be a lot of fun. Who's going to be getting it or is there going to be a blood match to see who get's it. Maybe a guitar off.:D

Seems to me that the only thing to do is build a second guitar.

Jim

[banpreso]

interesting... it's like another steve saville in the making

[oldrocker]

That looks fun! I hope you'll keep this thread updated till you finish the guitar.

[hnuuhiwa]

Way cool Paul! :up:

Something that I'd like to do in a few years (when I have more time). As has been said, we will anxiously await pics of the first Burner Guitar...I bet it'll be HOT! :lol: (yeah, lame joke...but really if a Burner guitar can't be HOT, then why bother:evilgrin:)....

Aloha,

Hen

[Matt Mustapick]

Looks great! It just keeps getting funner.

[Kyle Burner]

Seems to me that the only thing to do is build a second guitar.

Jim

OH believe me the second guitar is already in the works:evilgrin: I am finalizing my shape right now, and have begun shopping for wood.

My dad had to leave town for the weekend, it will be torture for him knowing that I will be sitting in his basement dreaming of the build to come.(He said I'd be in big trouble if I started building his guitar without him:D).

I am sure we will take lots of pictures and keep everyone updated as the build progresses

[Playn4thedog]

Awesome, congratlations and good luck. I would love to one day combine the love of woodworking and guitar. I think I'm going to need a bigger shop.

[songsender]

Kyle and I had an opportunity to start our guitar build tonight.... we had a lot of fun and made some good progress.

http://www.wheezetones.com/band/guitarbuild2/day1-1.jpg
(notice the empty coolers - HAHAHAHAHA) - this is the cleanest the bench was all night

http://www.wheezetones.com/band/guitarbuild2/day1-2.jpg
Cutting the channel for my 1/8" wide flame maple backstrap

http://www.wheezetones.com/band/guitarbuild2/day1-3.jpg
The humidity is a bit high in the shop (garage) right now - so we decided to move to the
cool comfort of my home office for a some cleaner parts of the build

http://www.wheezetones.com/band/guitarbuild2/day1-4.jpg
End block and neck block glued in place - and tracing getting ready to mark for the
back center strip and braces

http://www.wheezetones.com/band/guitarbuild2/day1-5.jpg
Thanks to a suggestion by Hesh on OLF we marked where the braces
would intersect the back strip - and glued the back strip except in
those areas - to make cutting away for braces a bit easier.

http://www.wheezetones.com/band/guitarbuild2/day1-6.jpg
We moved on to gluing the kerfing on one side tonight - and realized we were short
some clips. Digging through some drawers we found clips and clothes pins to fit the need.

[MattJohnPaul]

Great thread!!!!!

[mmmaak]

This is so cool! :eek:

Are you looking to adopt an Asian son? :ha::ha::ha:

[MattJohnPaul]

This is so cool! :eek:

Are you looking to adopt an Asian son? :ha::ha::ha:

:D:D:D:D:D

[Kitchen Guitars]

I haven't started a build. I have to go in stages. I figure 2 years prepping the space.
Stage 1 was haul 800 lbs of concrete into the basement so I can level the floors. The house is 140 years old, she's got some dips! Did that. When I recover I will start pouring.

Cutting the center chanel must have been nerve racking! I had to read the glue/not glue thing a few times to understand it. It was well written. I am just thick. Smart stuff.
I'll be watching the build chanel :)

[Bill Cory]

Just in case others get the bug to build a kit ... here is a link to a free 52-page PDF eBook that offers info on different kit providers, tools needed, etc., etc.

"Introduction to Kit Acoustic Guitars" (http://www.nichebooks.com/introbook.pdf) (Option-click on Mac to download it; Right-click on Windows)

Most luthiers do not offer kits, but kits are available from many sources. I've built several from different providers and haven't had a dud yet.

Bill

[banpreso]

looks like you guys are making excellent progress :up:

i have to say, this is the cleanest shop i've ever seen:D all you pro luthiers should be ashamed :roll:

[songsender]

Messy things happen in the garage - and clean things can happen in my "office" where I spend most days designing web sites and brochures - so it really isn't my guitar building shop (yet).

It is just much easier to keep the humidity constant in my office than the garage!

I have to keep the place clean for visiting clients who will now get a look at guitars in progress ;)

Time to clean out the storage room and make room for guitar-related items!

We actually got the back braces on late last night and I pulled it out of the gobar deck this morning - looking good! I'm happy to report that very little clean-up of glue squeeze-out will be required.

Next - I'll do the kerfing for the front of the guitar - and then do a practice rosette or two on some scrap wood Kevin sent me!

[Fliss]

I was just thinking how clean that looks! I love seeing this kind of stuff, and that looks really great. Looking forward to seeing more pics :)

Fliss

[songsender]

Here are where things stand as of tonight. We did the braces on the first night but I hadn't shot any photos.

I flipped the guitar over tonight and did the kerfing on the back side.

The rosette and sound hole will be next - probably over labor-day weekend as my son is backpacking in Colorado this week.

http://www.wheezetones.com/band/guitarbuild2/day1b-1.jpg

A couple photos of the flame maple backstrap
http://www.wheezetones.com/band/guitarbuild2/day1b-2.jpg

http://www.wheezetones.com/band/guitarbuild2/day1b-3.jpg

And a couple photos of the braces
http://www.wheezetones.com/band/guitarbuild2/day1b-4.jpg

http://www.wheezetones.com/band/guitarbuild2/day1b-5.jpg