Build Thread: Tahoe Guitars 12-Fret Dread (Palo Escrito/Adi)

[OddManOut]

With the neck in its final position, Larry now does the heel cap and contours the end of the fingerboard extension to the sound hole.

A suitable piece of EIR is chosen. Note it is oversized.



The EIR is glued up and clamped.



Then the heel cap is carved to size.



The contoured fingerboard is a favorite detail of mine. I feel it looks very elegant.

[OddManOut]

Larry now finds the proper bridge position. This includes using a clever tool to locate the correct saddle position. The first two pictures are from the Stewart-Macdonald site.





The bridge in proper position, Larry locates the pin holes.





The pin holes are partially drilled, with the two outer holes drilled through.







With the bridge back in position, the top is drilled through the bridge to preserve the bridge position. A backing plate is used to ensure a the holes in the bridge plate are clean.

[OddManOut]

Larry clarifies one particular step:

"The "dummy" bridge in the neck angle alignment pics is one that has the right height (3/8") but I just use it for an alignment tool because the holes were drilled wrong. The bridge that actually gets used is the flat topped one in the drilling pics, which is too tall for alignment use. It will be the right height after I shape the top, which is what I'm going out in the garage to do right now... "

[OddManOut]

Here are some pics of Larry making the bridge for this guitar.

[OddManOut]

More pics of bridge construction.











Here are a couple of pictures of the guitar with the bridge, with the inlay and FB contour completed.

[OddManOut]

What is this? It's a lac bug.



That can mean only one thing...the first shellac sealer coats are on the guitar. I snapped a few pics. In addition to the back and sides, I tried to catch the silking and subtle bear claw in the top, and the bees wing curl in the neck.

[OddManOut]

This has nothing to do with a dentist who lacks skills...

Just thought I would update with some pictures of the pore filling process. Not too exciting visually, but worthwhile none-the-less.

The pics below and in the next post show the sanding process in progression on both the neck and the body. After this Larry will be spraying the final coats of nitro.

I am pleased with how the back and sides look. It has a certain visual warmth at this stage.

[OddManOut]

The body being sanded after the pore filler is applied.

[OddManOut]

Larry has sprayed the final coats of nitro on my 12-fret dread. Now it hangs for three weeks. This is the toughest time for me. So close...yet so far.

The last major woodworking steps will be gluing up the neck and the bridge. But it will be a few weeks. So close...yet so far. The frets are yet to be done as well.

Here are a few pics with the final coats applied. Enjoy...

Note the difference in the color of the sides in the first two pics. This is due to a mix of fluorescent and incandescent lights in the workshop.

In the second picture the thickness of the finish is visible where the top was masked for the bridge and fingerboard extension.





Here you can see the orange peel texture of the unsanded nitro. The tuner bushings will be reamed out to remove the finish from the threads.

[OddManOut]

Just an update to say the guitar is hanging for another 10-12 days allowing the finish to cure. Some new pics should come in shortly thereafter.

Here is a pic of it hanging in Larry's shop as of two days ago. I'm hanging, too. Can't get the Jeopardy Theme out of my head.

[billder99]

OddMan, I do love the look and smell of a really nice piece of Palo Escrito, one of the most beautiful of all woods... the back of your instrument is spectacular. I hope the finished box keeps that wonderful smell... you will love it.

Bill

[OddManOut]

Originally Posted by billder99

OddMan, I do love the look and smell of a really nice piece of Palo Escrito, one of the most beautiful of all woods... the back of your instrument is spectacular. I hope the finished box keeps that wonderful smell... you will love it.

Bill

Thanks, Bill. I agree it is beautiful. Next time I see it I will give it a sniff. Hopefully it will sound as good as it smells.

[OddManOut]

After hanging for three weeks to allow the finish to cure, my Palo Escrito/Adi 12-fret dread has been buffed. The final assembly is underway. Pics of the finish sanding and bridge installation are included.

I should be picking up the guitar on Thursday. Very exciting!!!

Enjoy the pics.









A comparison of the buffed D-12 neck and a neck with unsanded finish.

[Silly Moustache]

Well, just ploughed through this thread - fascinated. 12 fret dreads are "my thing" - keenly awaiting the next episodes !

[OddManOut]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

Well, just ploughed through this thread - fascinated. 12 fret dreads are "my thing" - keenly awaiting the next episodes !

Thanks for reading it and glad you're enjoying it. There should be a few more "episodes". In fact, just got a new batch of pics. Stand by...