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-   -   Build Thread: Tahoe Guitar Co. 00-12 (Mahogany/Carpathian) (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=420930)

Marcus Wong 04-04-2016 06:31 AM

Very insightful views on top tuning! Thanks for sharing :) how does a luthier know when the braces are right? Do they have a "perfect pitch" for the tap that they look for in every guitar? I know some resort to methods like chaldni patterns, deflection testing, speakers, etc. But I believe many still stick to their hands and ears to feel and hear the resonance/pitch of the top?

And Larry seems like a great bloke! :D

OddManOut 04-05-2016 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomB'sox (Post 4888210)
Great detail as always, thank you. I thought for a minute the router slipped on that top and a new top was needed!!!!! The reality of what it was is a slightly better option to be sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Wong
Very insightful views on top tuning! Thanks for sharing http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/ubb/smile.gif how does a luthier know when the braces are right? Do they have a "perfect pitch" for the tap that they look for in every guitar? I know some resort to methods like chaldni patterns, deflection testing, speakers, etc. But I believe many still stick to their hands and ears to feel and hear the resonance/pitch of the top?

And Larry seems like a great bloke! http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Thanks, TomB and Marcus. You're quite welcome. Thanks for following this thread. :)

The intuitive aspect of luthiery is quite amazing and somewhat mysterious. It seems to develop over time after building many guitars. Larry is (in my estimation) 75% intuitive, 25% analytical. e.g. he and I discussed the brace width for this guitar. Larry typically goes with .28", I asked him to consider .25". Factors we discussed were the stiffness of the top, the size of the body, the fact that it is a short scale. In the end, Larry mulled it over for a day, and ended up going with .25".

Luthiers certainly run the gamut from intuitive to analytical. I suspect those who take a more analytical approach to building still rely on their intuition to make certain decisions.

Yes, Larry is a very good bloke. Kind, patient, generous. A good friend.

OddManOut 04-14-2016 09:59 PM

Body Shots
 
Larry has been busy the last week in his studio and catching up on repairs.

I dropped by and had lunch with him (Subway...lunch of champions), and got a few pics of the body with binding in place. It has not been sanded, but it's looking pretty good, if I do say so.

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps5shvzsrd.jpg

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


Ribbons and beeswing, oh my!
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psfpy58lbd.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psxl4rkdzm.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psaasppk1e.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psz85cy8uu.jpg

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



Here's something a bit different for those who like vintage electrics...

While I was at Larry's, an older gentleman showed up to pick up a repair. He came in with a worn case, put it on the table, and popped it open...

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps9xxyqtmy.jpg


1955 Les Paul Gold Top, all original, original owner. Don't see that everyday...
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psvzlk9v7h.jpg

Deft Tungsman 04-15-2016 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OddManOut (Post 4901583)
Here's something a bit different for those who like vintage electrics...

While I was at Larry's, an older gentleman showed up to pick up a repair. He came in with a worn case, put it on the table, and popped it open...

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps9xxyqtmy.jpg


1955 Les Paul Gold Top, all original, original owner. Don't see that everyday...
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psvzlk9v7h.jpg

Original owner?? Oh, man, that is too cool!

pgilmor 04-15-2016 12:49 AM

That is a seriously nice looking guitar!! Coming right along!

OddManOut 04-17-2016 08:36 AM

Fretboard/Headplate Glue Up
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by pgilmor (Post 4901654)
That is a seriously nice looking guitar!! Coming right along!


Many thanks! I think we're looking at a June completion.


Quote:

Originally Posted by Deft Tungsman
Original owner?? Oh, man, that is too cool!

Yes, it was pretty cool to see a truly vintage guitar. Talk about mojo. The owner said in his cowboy drawl "This guitar has been in so many bars, I take it to AA meetings." Classic!



Larry glues the fretboard and the headplate to the neck.

The FB is positioned, then nails driven in through fret slots 1 and 11 to anchor it in place. These holes will be covered by the frets. Using this method, the positions of the FB and the headplate can be accurately reproduced, thus allowing for FB and HP removal as needed.

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pshxvy3cee.jpg

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

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psa1ikzz82.jpg

The headplate is positioned using the nut blank as a reference.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pspwatujnj.jpg

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

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

Here the anchor nail is visible in the headplate. The resulting hole is where one of the tuner holes will be.

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psz5j6nzbt.jpg


The headplate caul accommodates the anchor nails.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pswykdsihz.jpg

OddManOut 04-17-2016 08:53 AM

Fretboard/Headplate Glue Up 2
 
Larry installs the edge markers. This is standard white rod stock.

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psnha9ukq3.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psbijn7qkz.jpg

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

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps6rq3plwg.jpg


Now rubberbands and clamps for the win.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pstt7v1ycu.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psb54nlwbu.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pss1mazthn.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psi0lidkkp.jpg

OddManOut 04-17-2016 10:26 AM

Fretboard/Headplate Glue Up Completed
 
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psr26vrubw.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pshhi9yfcf.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psoyck1h3r.jpg

OddManOut 04-21-2016 07:48 AM

Head w/ Logo and Tuners
 
Here is the head with the pearl logo inlaid.

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psk7bpm9am.jpg


Decisions, decisions...

I have to decide on tuners. Which would you choose?

Gotoh 300 Series Black.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psvntuizxd.jpg


Gotoh 510 Mini Gold/Black Keys
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps4wbatufv.jpg


Grover Sta-Tite Gold Open Back
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps5goc88ci.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psnquorf5n.jpg

TomB'sox 04-21-2016 09:57 AM

I kinda like the open backs for some reason on this headstock.

Nemoman 04-21-2016 11:53 AM

Gotoh 300s have my vote.

OddManOut 04-21-2016 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomB'sox
I kinda like the open backs for some reason on this headstock.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemoman (Post 4909489)
Gotoh 300s have my vote.

Thanks for your input, gents.

I feel the open gear tuners are the most appropriate for a traditional 12-fret guitar in a stylistic sense. However, all my other guitars have open gear tuners. I would like something different. As it turns out, the two styles of Gotoh tuners here are totally interchangeable. I like the black tuner bodies with the more modern black buttons. So I'm going that way. It gives the most spartan look to my eye. If I want to change, I can swap tuners, buttons, get some after-market buttons, etc..

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psygyafe3g.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psiirlh2ag.jpg

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

The final choice...for now. Gotoh 300 black tuners with the modern black buttons.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psdnfk9plc.jpg

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

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

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psekq0iyfc.jpg

OddManOut 04-21-2016 09:00 PM

Binding Leveling and Body Sanding
 
Larry levels the bindings and sands the body. I saw the body in person and it has a wonderful silky, ribbon-and-beeswing mahogany look. It popped nicely under sandpaper...should be even better under finish. ;)

The rosewood bindings are leveled to the body.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psznjtcigr.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psowydx96m.jpg

The beeswing is poppin' a bit.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psbq5lhbzw.jpg


The LMI glue shows up under black light so the minute traces can be detected and sanded off.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pskxsdbfwh.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psn4kxbifo.jpg


A few shots of the sanded body.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pslvnqczov.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps3ucpgh3y.jpg

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

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psx80csxvc.jpg

My 00-12 body and the body of the EIR/Adi dread currently being built.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psw1hjsze4.jpg

OddManOut 04-22-2016 07:15 AM

Neck Shaping
 
Larry shapes the neck.

First Larry rough shapes base of the head for the volute.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pswvdqqlwu.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psw7shfscm.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psnx2gma42.jpg


Now a bit of layout at the base of the head.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps2kwakosc.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psmnfrk0ev.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...pssnwwj64o.jpg


Now the shaping commences. The top and middle of the neck are brought into close-to-final profile.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psgk52j5hu.jpg

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

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psgjtiip3t.jpg


Note here that the heel end is still very square.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...psebrcwonr.jpg

Steve Kinnaird 04-22-2016 07:19 AM

I love a mahogany body with rosewood trim. Simply elegant.
You've got to be pretty excited, it's looking great!

Steve


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