Neck Shaping Continued
 

Now the heel is brought into close-to-final profile.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psiv5d8zgi.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pszbd8eocm.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pschdqwmpa.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psnaemsmdt.jpg


Makin' sawdust...mahogany and maple dust from two necks graces the shop floor.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psi0ymaouv.jpg

EDIT: Here is one more little detail I forgot to include.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psvoottwox.jpg

Thank you! :cool: I can only take credit for choosing the aesthetic design elements. Larry is the artist and craftsman. I'll pass your compliment on to him.

I, too, am digging the the brown-not-black look of the EIR binding, macassar fretboard, head plate, and bridge against the mahogany. I am excited, actually. I am really pleased with how this guitar has morphed into having more spartan front aspect, with the flare of the flamed neck in back (a visual treat for the player IMO).

Final Neck Shaping and Heel Cap
 

The neck is brought into final profile.

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pseloojkst.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psgd9jbgpv.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psbsjchluj.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psokmhdptz.jpg

The EIR heel cap to match the binding is glued on. The heel shaping is then completed, bringing the edges of the heel cap into profile.

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pshxrej1ok.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psokv239hs.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps84gm7flk.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psrgmtnxoc.jpg

Making a Pyramid Bridge
 

In this sequence Larry makes a pyramid bridge from scratch. Well, he didn't grow the Macassar Ebony, but you know what I mean. ;)


The bridge blank is cut to size.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psxalmnrju.jpg


Surfaces are squared. The bottom surface is radiused to match the top radius.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps6mtltew6.jpg


A dime is used to mark the circles which will form the arch between the center and the pyramids.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps0dzy6xgn.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pskmulolpv.jpg


The pyramids are marked.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pso01mk4et.jpg



The Grizzly is carefully fed some ebony.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pso6pkumst.jpg



And a pyramid bridge starts to take shape. She's rough yet, but coming into form.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psucyuhhuq.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psmrjhe4ry.jpg

Making a Pyramid Bridge 2
 

The pin and saddle lines are drawn on the bridge, and the pin hole positions marked.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pszfjf8ejk.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psnxyeqfsa.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pspblf97om.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psfrlognhy.jpg


The pin holes are drilled. They will be tapered and chamfered later.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psmvtirzdx.jpg


The arches are refined.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pszaar1rzn.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psjdcutmpd.jpg

Making a Pyramid Bridge 3
 

The facets of the pyramids are laid out.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pswxpxbfee.jpg


The Dragon Rasp is used for the rough work.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psvbamrii4.jpg


The coarse sanding lines from the rasp are clearly visible.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psfqomcwwc.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps0r4d25fm.jpg


A little fine sanding cleans it up.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psn4jqp4qn.jpg


Both pyramids are formed. Larry has left the bridge tall, and will sand it to final height and contour as part of the prep for final assembly.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps7dp2sq6q.jpg

Bridge Location
 

The bridge is now placed at the proper location. This is a critical measurement.

The 12th fret must be the midpoint of the saddle and the nut. The tool shown is adjusted to the length between the nut and the 12th fret, then flipped over to find the correct location of the bridge. Brilliantly simple and elegant.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psnoarnxdw.jpg


The proper lateral alignment is established.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps5lwlti8r.jpg



The bridge is temporarily clamped into position. Two of the pin holes are used as guides to drill position holes through the top.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psyeppydfk.jpg



Small lengths of dowel are inserted into the bottom of the pin holes to allow accurate reproduction of the bridge position.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pse9ds3vqv.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pszj4h6ech.jpg


The guitar thus far, with its dreadnought sibling. Looking good.
NOTE: The fretboard extension on my guitar will be contoured to the soundhole.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pszkqyxwnr.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pszrybepcd.jpg

Finishing Has Begun!
 

The first coats of nitro finish have been sprayed! The wood...she pops! ;)

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psjpjrayli.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pswgrss1g7.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psfixmvd5m.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps2c0r3kkm.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pstzlppsnj.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps7z45tzt9.jpg

Pore Filler Applied
 

The pore filler has been applied. Once it is sanded, the last coats of nitro will be sprayed. Not too much new to see, except perhaps the subtle darkening of the mahogany with the pore filler in.

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psymn9y4yf.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psqurtsyur.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psyf0qwzpf.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pspji2sm1p.jpg


Medullary Rays...
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pszialtcth.jpg


Mmmm...maple.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psvuarqamj.jpg

Final Coats of Finish
 

The final coats of finish have been applied. It now hangs for three weeks.

In an earlier post I stated I was going with black tuners. I am thinking the gold tuners will tie in better with the back and neck. We shall see...

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psew4vlnwm.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pswj23fwaa.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psdus7ajw8.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psmzrxy062.jpg


Just Hangin'...

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pshpjymhkt.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psjkcdkdju.jpg

Finish Cured
 

The finish has cured, and the guitar is waiting in the sanding and assembly cue. There is one ahead of it which Larry is preparing for a show. Should be another two weeks or so...

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps2oqrqp3k.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psa1vrkvbd.jpg

Bridge Shaping
 

The final steps in the build process are underway.

Here Larry shapes the top of the bridge, bringing it to its final height and giving it a nice arched contour.


The bridge before final shaping. Note the rectangular shape.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps7dp2sq6q.jpg


Let the shaping begin...
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pszlyvefks.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps2jtucpvu.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pskgs0i6oe.jpg


The basic contour is established. The corners need to be brought into profile and the surface fine sanded.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psyv68w7j9.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psm0weyqhh.jpg

The final shaping is done the good ol' fashion way.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps0w0stwwe.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psaikc4w38.jpg


The bridge height is checked to the plain of the fretboard.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psej8rr9qe.jpg


SWEET!
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psbhw2fvyg.jpg

Hi OMO, that's another beautiful looking Tahoe you're getting. Thanks to you and Larry for taking the time to share all the progress photos and explanations. Cheers, berf

Looks great!
 

This should be a fine axe!

Appreciate all the pics and explanation!

Have fun and enjoy her...

Cheers

Paul

Buffed and Unroughed
 

Thanks for the compliments. You're quite welcome. Glad you're enjoying the thread.

Here's a few pics of the guitar with the finish buffed out and a related process.


The buffer
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps60z3qtkw.jpg


There's a nice mirror-like shine.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psup8ariai.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psj6wlzu1c.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pskio4pbm5.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psc8g3xyu3.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psqyzdxmje.jpg


During the process of spraying the nitro, finish builds up in the tuner holes. In this sequence Larry cleans up a tuner hole prior to installing the tuner bushing.

ASIDE: I am really liking the look of the EIR headplate.

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pslebz55ec.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psi6me7asc.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pss0ig3cl0.jpg