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A tale of two Tenors - 2 Tenor Guitar Builds
I am wrapping up the "Peach" after a year of fiddling with her. So many new things. Cutaway, sound system, gloss finish...... Right now she is in the apply finish, wait 2 days.... mode so perfect opportunity to start up some new projects.
I have been wanting to build a Tenor Guitar for a few years now. I bought a few sets of plans from Elderlys. http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../aDSCN2940.jpg Tenor 1 will be smaller than Tenor 2. I have decided to forgo the Ladder Bracing on 1 and do a X bracing instead Tenor one is; B/S - Leopardwood (Panopsis rebellens) Top- Crazy Bear Claw Sitka Tenor 2 B/S - Dead straight Dark Chocolate Indian Rosewood Top - also Crazy Bear Claw Sitka Both will likely have Walnut necks. I have a crapload of Walnut! I promise lots of pictures! I will be working off a Blue prints by Scott Antes. I was going to start with The Tenor. Identical in size to my Regal (Fender era) Baritone Ukulele. However the top I joined and the 5 peice Lace back were both shy the needs. So.. The Regal Tenor is a bit smaller than the Tenor Tenor plan. Total Body "15.56", Lower 10.5, Upper 7.5, Fret board length 14.13 I am going to start with the top at .10, 5 Piece back at 9.25, sides 8ish. I have read lacewood can be a tough bend. Thinned down it taps like Mahogany, to my ears. http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../aDSCN2909.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...N2909close.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../aDSCN2908.jpg I got this great Sitka from an A.S.I.A buddy. I use some Sumistifikated methods! http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../aDSCN2894.jpg This is the contrast bumped up a bit but NO finish. Still at 120 http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../aDSCN2939.jpg Today I will put in 5 skunk stripes and make my forms. BTW As I do this project I am also restoring a B A S K E T CA S E Oak Parlor :) I get a bit fidgety when my Christmas Photography Biz goes from 200 MPH to 10! |
Welp, killed the first back!
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Amazing what you can fix when you don't want to redo! Back on track. Will post more pictures when I know anyone gives a crap. :)
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I give a crap. Just sayin'
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I know nothing about tenor guitars, but I do enjoy these build threads. Looking forward to this one. Bring it!
Bel isi, -kyle |
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One guy had trouble with finish prep -- the back/sides ended up very textured even after sanding. Due to the varying density of the wood, I imagine. |
John,
This should be fun to watch and for you to do. I have 2 Tenors: a Martin 0-18 Nick Reynolds Signature and A luthier-built 00 in Koa/Cedar. Are you planning to tune yours C,G,D,A? |
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I was smitten with a OLD Martin Tenor Charley Rappaport (Conductor of the Pittsburgh Mandolin Society) owns. I played it for a minute. He played me 2 wonderful tunes. Thats the extent of my Tenor experience. Advise, sources, experiences are welcome. |
Back is back together and cut! Skunk Stripes are in with minimal tear out. The wood is like 2 woods together! Some rock hard some like cruising through a Marshmallow.
Here is my oops. The router gide slipped and I didn't know till it was too late. http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../aDSCN2946.jpg Here it is cleaned up and ready for the graft http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../aDSCN2948.jpg I grafted in about a 1" wide strip. I have to look hard to see the boo boo. http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../aDSCN2950.jpg Then 5 skunk stripes http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../aDSCN2960.jpg I made the forms from scrap from building a chicken coop http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../aDSCN2956.jpg The sides are bent. I didn't hear any cracking :) |
Yea Haw. Yesterday was productive. I made nice straight Adi back braces. Radiused them and put in all but one. I ran out of fiberglass rods.
I made my Tailblock and the neck block. The sides REALLY want to go directions so I figure I gotta move to maintain shape. I took the spacers off the sides and had to gently squeeze it back to shape to install the blocks. IF the neck block is right it will be my first not having to redo. Fingers are crossed. I also made my neck blank. 2 layers of beautiful Quarter sawn Walnut with a rift sawn Oak center. Today The top! Shape the neck. Order a Tailpeice and a set of friction tuners. Told ya Neil I'm the morning guy. Not that sleepy thing you see when you get here for your 9pm shift :) |
Leapordwood wants to misbehave! I'm going to get the Kerfing on asap.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../aDSCN2971.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../aDSCN2973.jpg The new extension block and blade have turned my Bandsaw into a whole new tool! The neck took a few minutes to cut out. I love the Walnut! http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../aDSCN2968.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../aDSCN2969.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../aDSCN2970.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...aDSCN2970a.jpg Thinking about this for the headplate http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../aDSCN2974.jpg |
Wow, you work fast! I need to come over some morning. How long did that neck blank take?
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BTW If you like the look you are welcome to some of the walnut for your neck. |
Cut and installed the rossette. Sound hole. Made installed x braces. Made a fret board blank from a hunk of Gaboon. Got the back braces sized and ready. Just put in the rest of the Kerfing! Goooo night!
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Whoa. SLOW DOWN! ;)
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