First build
 

New to the forum. I have built a few electric guitars, but have always wanted to build an acoustic. Through a friend of my wife’s, I was able to meet a local wood worker that has built a lot of acoustic guitars. About a year ago he agreed to mentor me. Last night I strung the guitar up for the first time. I built an all mahogany dreadnought, that resembles a J-45. The only wood that is not mahogany is the rosewood bridge and fretboard. Plus the maple bridge plate. Very warm tone, plus the sustain is amazing. Once I read up on how to add pics, I will add some.

I used an unusual method to finish this guitar. No lacquer, I used wipe on poly. My mentor wanted me to spray lacquer, I chose poly instead. I had used it on many electric guitars and took a chance. So far no tonal issues at all. It sounds great IMHO. I used zpoxy to grain fill it. I will document the process I use if anyone is interested.

I'm interested��
I used Stewmac wipe on poly for a uke I built, but didn't grain fill and I achieved nowhere near the gloss you have.
Great job and a very nice looking guitar.

Very nice first attempt. I've been contemplating using wipe on poly for my current built to get a higher gloss than my first (which was French polish.) I love how yours turned out. What did you use to fill the pores? Z-Poxy?

A thought
 

Wonderful sharing - - - Thanks! Love to see more of the wipe-on poly technique, I have a project approaching finish.

See. Much better than building one of those stupid electrics. right?

;)

You mean one of those breadboards with frets? :D

Thank you for the comments. I grain fill with zpoxy. It usually takes 2-3 coats. I scrape it flat then sand to 320. I then apply 15-20 thin coats of minwax wipe on poly. I use a well washed t-shirt, fold it into a little 2 inch square so no edges are exposed. I wipe the poly on in the same direction. Overlapping each pull. Always pull off the edges. You can run it along the sides. I do the bottom first, starting in the middle and pulling down to the bottom. You can tell if it is to dry. I can get about 3 rows before I need more in my cloth. These are thin coats. To thick and it runs. I do the entire guitar with a coat and wait 3-4 hours between coats. Yes it can take days. I put 15-20 coats on. It’s okay if you wait a day or two between coats. Don’t get discouraged, it takes about 7 coats for it to start looking good. After all the coats are done, I wait about a week to let it dry. I then start wet sanding at 800-1000-1500-2000 grit paper. I then machine buff it with rubbing compound, then machine polish it with polishing compound. I use 3M automotive compounds. You can buy them at a local auto body paint supply store. I use a wool wheel for the rubbing and foam wheel for the polish. Be careful with the sanding, you can go through, but if you do you can stop, let it dry and load on 5-6 spot coats in that area and fix it.

The best part, you can do it in your basement or shop without having to spray. I would not hang around for the first hour or two if drying because it can smell a bit.

Started on the next one today. Here is the back. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...167542565b.jpg

What?

Wheres the string or tuners on the first one sir? Or nut and saddle.:)

I'd like to make a suggestion: on an acoustic guitar, I'd recommend that you at least seal the top with shellac before the oil. The reason for this is that PolyOil is thin and will penetrate a softwood like spruce or cedar and in doing so, can dampen its responsiveness. The shellac will prevent penetration.

Lol I need to take some pics of the completed guitar.