# 18 Bluesmaster

[weslewis]

This is my first project of the year, based off of L-00 size with some modifications, the most obvious is the falcate bracing. Wood is figured Sipo, Euro spruce , macassar ebony fret board and sapele neck, Many parts will be cut on a small cnc machine, photos to follow as I get used to posting to this site.

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[weslewis]

Falcate bracing is made from .060 euro spruce strips, bent on a form with a blanket then glued together in a jig, after that cut to size on a mini router with a stew mac base, with rebates cut top and bottom for carbon fiber.
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[weslewis]

Tight grained carpathian spruce, I am trying a few ideas with this build, the pockets are .015 to .020 deep , the idea is to remove mass around the edges of the soundboard.
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[Halcyon/Tinker]

Very very interesting. Especially the rebates for the carbon fibre. You're doing something I've only been thinking about, so I'll be following this very closely. Please keep us posted!

[s2y]

I'm not a builder. I've never seen braces like that. Trippy.

[weslewis]

This type of bracing is not new, but has been refined by Trevor Gore, you might Google his website, the braces on this build are .285 tall at the highest point at the bridge plate and will have carbon fiber tow epoxied top and bottom for stiffness, carbon fiber will also be used between the bridge plate and the soundboard as well as in the bridge.

[weslewis]

Here is the bridge being cut, the pockets in the middle are cut out to save weight, final weight should be around 20 to 25 grams, I have not used zebrawood for a bridge before.., will see how it turns out, I do put a finish on the bridges.


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[weslewis]

Decided to do a Pirate theme on this one, everybody likes pirates??!!!
the back is Inlayed with Zebawood, Padauck, black palm, maple , and Ebony.
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[Halcyon/Tinker]

Can you post a link for your CNC?

[weslewis]

The machine is a 6040 purchased off of Ebay a couple of years ago, The only modifications were the addition of shielded wiring and home switches on each axis, this thing is accurate to .001 of and inch. there is a lot of info at cnc zone, just as important is the cam software which is Vcarve pro , and mach 3 software running the cnc,and of course a cad program..

[weslewis]

Progress going slowly lately, something a little different than my prior builds, center strip and braces are glued into pockets milled into the back..
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[weslewis]

Progress Kinda going slow..Darn job gets in the way!! Trying something different, braces are rebated into the back same as the center strip, still a litte fine tuning to the braces left..

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[weslewis]

Gluing on the main braces, after fitting to the bridge plate, carbon tow is epoxied into the rebates in the bracing, carbon tow will be epoxied to the top of the bracing as well..
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[CoolerKing]

That's a different back than was in the first photo? Just all around a very cool guitar.

[weslewis]

Thanks, it's the same wood , just my poor picture taking . My last build was with figured sapele and the wood looks fantastic under finish I am hoping this looks similuar