Building a Guitar for Steven Curtis Chapman

[JohnM]

Originally Posted by kirkham13

looks pretty stressful-I can see you are another perfectionist...
wouldn't it be easier to glue on or screw on a dummy bridge before finishing... the whole cutting into the finish seems like sacriledge-lol

Some people (it's not common though) do put a bridge on before finishing... but it creates a ramp of finish to the bottom of the bridge and makes it very hard to wet sand around. It comes out looking much better by doing it this way, as well as it's easier. It's not uncommon to french polish the top with the bridge in place although I've never really delved much into that so I'm far from an authority on french polishing.

You can put a bridge shaped piece of masking tape precisely located in the bridge area, but to me that's no easier than how I do it. It's not the bulk removal of the footprint that is hard. That is easy, it's the getting up to the very edge that is more concentration intensive.

I'm waiting for the tuners to come in for this guitar and I'll have it strung up. More updates by this time next week or before.

[reags]

Thanks for the photos and sharing your process John, it looks absolutely insane, especially the finish trimming step for the bridge!

[jeastman]

I think you need to find a new place to cut your hair, John

[JohnM]

Originally Posted by jeastman

I think you need to find a new place to cut your hair, John

It's not white!..... yet....

[jeastman]

Originally Posted by JohnM

It's not white!..... yet....

Ah, I was hoping I'd cracked the 'What did Stradivarius (or Mr. Mayes) put in his secret sauce?' riddle.

[JohnM]

Originally Posted by jeastman

Ah, I was hoping I'd cracked the 'What did Stradivarius (or Mr. Mayes) put in his secret sauce?' riddle.

I wish I had a secret sauce.... I'm just going off a lot of repetition, trial and error.... then again maybe that is the secret sauce.

But yeah... No white hair yet. Although I'm getting a few greys my hair is light enough in color they don't stand out too bad. I'm only 32 right now (strange to think I've been building guitars almost half my life), but give me another decade and I'm sure I'll be white....er... distinguished looking!

[jeastman]

Don't worry too much John. You've got two years on me and my wife is starting to find a few grays around. I told my boss all the added experience means I need a raise.

I just keep looking at that top, though. Man what a beautiful piece of wood. Can't wait to see the completed project.

[JohnM]

Originally Posted by jeastman

Don't worry too much John. You've got two years on me and my wife is starting to find a few grays around. I told my boss all the added experience means I need a raise.

I just keep looking at that top, though. Man what a beautiful piece of wood. Can't wait to see the completed project.

My tuners for it (Nickel Waverly's with Oval Ivoroid buttons) shipped out today along with my Schertler tuners for my #17 proto. I should be stringing it up on Monday!

[JohnM]

I got Stevens guitar strung up today. I'll let it settle in for a week or so and then make and install a pickguard, as well as do the set-up on it to get it playing silky smooth. We are nearing the end. Wait no. Not the end. The beginning!

[crgraham32]

Beautiful! Makes me wish I had a sunburst!

[SuperB23]

Looks awesome John!!! It will be cool to imagine SCC playing that fine looking guitar! You will have to let us know what he thinks of it.

Originally Posted by JohnM

I got Stevens guitar strung up today. I'll let it settle in for a week or so and then make and install a pickguard, as well as do the set-up on it to get it playing silky smooth. We are nearing the end. Wait no. Not the end. The beginning!

Beautiful work as always John!!

[EverythingMusic]

That looks awesome and I bet it sounds even better. I need to come out and visit you sometime John.

[JohnM]

Originally Posted by Blindreality

That looks awesome and I bet it sounds even better. I need to come out and visit you sometime John.

You're always welcome!

[JohnM]