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I spent the end of last week bracing and tuning the top. In order to be consistent with how I brace and tune my non-cutaway tops, I decided to brace this one fully and then adjust for the cutaway section after. Here are some of the initial braces going on... https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-S...o/IMG_3847.jpg As you can see those two angled braces have some pretty big scooped out sections. I could split the brace and leave that section out, but I really like the idea of having all of the braces tied together. I feel like it gives better pathways for the vibration to be distributed. Once the top is braced it's time to make and glue in the label -- much easier to do before the top is on! Years ago I made a stamp by cutting up a pencil eraser. Works great! https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-v...o/IMG_3853.jpg And here's the top fully braced/tuned and ready to be glued on... https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-p...o/IMG_3857.jpg Time to bind! Mike |
I've started in on the binding process for this guitar. Due to the cutaway, it's going to take a good bit more work than normal. One of the first jobs I did was the bind the point of the cutaway -- this starts with using knives and chisels to cut out a space for the binding using a ruler as a guide...
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-s...o/IMG_3861.jpg https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Q...o/IMG_3863.jpg I decided to keep the grain oriented the same direction as the binding to help give the impression that the maple is inset into the cocobolo... https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--...o/IMG_3865.jpg And gluing up the binding strips... https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-R...o/IMG_3870.jpg The cocobolo end graft... https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-l...o/IMG_3873.jpg Since the cutaway section is not square, I'll have to cut most of the binding and purfling by hand. To do that, I'll have to wait for my fancy new purfling cutter to arrive -- should be here in the next day or two! Mike |
Mike--this is really looking amazing. Love the binding on the point of the cutaway and how the cutaway flows into the neck joint. Can't wait to see the finished product--great stuff!
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As I mentioned in my last post, the general un-squareness of the cutaway section makes cutting binding channels with a router unfeasible. So, time to cut them by hand (after a bunch of tool sharpening)... https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-M...o/IMG_3881.jpg Next I glued in the cutaway purfling strips before cutting out the slot for the main binding strip... https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_...o/IMG_3888.jpg And then the cutaway binding strip... https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-x...o/IMG_3899.jpg This last shot shows what I mean about having the binding on the point flow with the rest of the binding. Just a little bit more work and it will be fully bound! Mike |
I was finally able to finish up the binding on this guitar -- it took a long time but I'm quite happy with how it turned out!
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/gm...A=w611-h814-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M...o/IMG_3912.jpg https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-O...o/IMG_3914.jpg https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f...o/IMG_3918.jpg https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0...o/IMG_3921.jpg Time to get started on the neck. Hopefully by the end of next week I'll be ready to start french polishing. Mike |
beautiful
That is just beautifully done. It is the subtle details like this that I admire most about these build threads. I cannot wait to see this one under finish. Great work.
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As I was getting started on the fingerboard, I realized I had run out of my 12th fret inlays. Here's how I go about making them... I start by laminating 3 strips of ebony and mahogany to make a 3mm x 3mm block. Each individual strip is 1 mm thick... https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7...o/IMG_3932.jpg A mahogany strip to make the cross section of the "H"... https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-C...o/IMG_3937.jpg Add some extra ebony that will mostly be routed away... https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-G...o/IMG_3940.jpg More mahogany glued on with the ebony routed... https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-k...o/IMG_3942.jpg Almost there... https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r...o/IMG_3949.jpg And done! https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-x...o/IMG_3953.jpg The final dimension is 9mm x 11mm -- pretty small! I'll cut ~2mm thick tiles from this every time I need to make a fingerboard. Luckily this is a job I only have to do every couple of years! Mike |
I really like your bracing, as well as your reinforcing of the sound hole. Very nice. Do you use elements of classical guitar fan bracing techniques? I'm trying to understand form a non luthier standpoint.:)
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HA! Love the photo sequence showing the developement of your 12th fret inlay ... beautiful Mike!
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Mike |
Moving right along with the neck for this guitar. Here's one of the logo tiles inlaid on the 12th fret...
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-K...o/IMG_3962.jpg Gluing up the top head veneer... https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8...o/IMG_3957.jpg And the fingerboard being glued to the neck... https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-T...o/IMG_3967.jpg Here's the neck all prepped for carving... https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9...o/IMG_3971.jpg And roughly carved out... https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-q...o/IMG_3974.jpg Now is when I have to take great care in shaping the heel and make sure it matches up with the shape of the sides. Definitely one of the most satisfying points of this build finally getting to see the neck joint. Final sanding of the neck/body this afternoon and then on to french polishing! Mike |
Beautiful work. I especially like your cutaway cap.
Steve |
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Not too much of an update, mostly just french polishing these past few days... https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R...o/IMG_3978.jpg A few more days of polishing before I let it sit for a week or so. If everything stays on track I should have it strung up in a couple of weeks! Mike |
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I´ve just read through this thread now, and I´m really impressed with your work, Mike! Everything from the bracing-system to the beautiful binding work is top-class. I especially like the "bolt-on"-way of laminating the sides. I´ve never seen that technique before, but its brilliant. I know everybody who´s laminating sides are doing it for extra stability, but do you have any other reasons for doing that? Really looking forward to hearing this guitar later on! /Niklas |
Its looking fantastic Mike. I can't wait to get my hands on it.
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