Big Hollow Plainsman double O Adi/Macassar

newvintage · #1 10-29-2015, 09:19 PM

Time to start on my SBAIC builds- this one will be available at the Santa Barbara show
I decided on Adi/ Macassar, as I've never done a OO with Macassar. My Macassar is amazing stuff, given to me by a former timber salesman who kept it in his barn for 20 years. It is stable, dense, and 1/4sawn. Unfortunately, it is also 4" wide. I've been doing backs with three book matched joints, and they have been coming out awesome.

I'm going with the 24.9" scale, 1-3/4" nut width.

Critical ingredients in the bending process:
Gummi Bears.

Maybe someday I'll get a fox bender, until then I'll do it this way

newvintage · #2 10-30-2015, 10:50 AM

The sides got bent yesterday and the rim was assembled

I also glued on the joint reinforcements on the back, which must now be contoured with that little sanding block

J.R. Rogers · #3 11-01-2015, 04:53 PM

Looking good, Bevan! Pass the gummi bears

JR

newvintage · #4 11-01-2015, 05:00 PM

The back sanded to 120:

SJ VanSandt · #5 11-01-2015, 05:53 PM

That back is very handsome. I actually think the bookmatching of the four pieces is an aesthetic plus. Looking forward to seeing more!

newvintage · #6 11-02-2015, 10:28 PM

Every once in a while you have to sharpen your tools. I think this little plane has gone at least two years between sharpenings.

The first x brace going in

The top bracing in place

newvintage · #7 11-04-2015, 09:58 AM

The box ready to close up.

newvintage · #8 11-05-2015, 03:34 PM

Warming the end prior to gluing

Go-bar deck at full capacity

newvintage · #9 11-07-2015, 11:02 PM

The box is!
Next step is some serious block sanding.
I am getting excited because the woodworking is almost done, always a circumstance worthy of celebration.
This guitar is LOUD!
Tap it and practically barks at you.
I think I'll do a vintage toned top on this one.
Thoughts?

j. Kinnaird · #10 11-08-2015, 04:43 AM

I really like the retro shape. Nice job bending the sides, very smooth. Vintage top would be great

WilbornGuitars · #11 11-08-2015, 10:40 PM

Boy, that macassar looks familiar. Ebay, by any chance? I bought one of the sister sets!

newvintage · #12 11-12-2015, 10:38 PM

Hi Ben! Nope, this stuff came from a barn in Steamboat Co. My first ever wood gift. Alas, only 4" wide.

Scraped the binding flush tonight, only final sanding and finish to go!

justonwo · #13 11-12-2015, 10:40 PM

Looks great! Thanks for the pictures.

newvintage · #14 02-17-2016, 10:48 AM

Sometimes you find a flaw that you have to go back and fix. The piece of bloodwood trim on the right side of the neck showed itself to have a natural fracture, and needed to be removed.
A hair raising procedure, given the acute edge of the already shaped neck, and the length of the joint.

Process:
Schneider Gramil taking three passes to width and depth.
Sever the bloodwood just past the neck and pop it off with chisel blows.
Small homemade rabbet plane inching closer to the mahogany/bloodwood Seam
Scrapers
Sanding rectangle
Then it's shape the new piece and attach it. The process above should make for minimal sanding and a clean joint.

theEdwinson · #15 02-17-2016, 11:55 AM

Oh man, every time I see another Big Hollow build thread, I start getting those G.A.S. symptoms again... Having seen a good number of them at guitar shows, and HEARING them- I run out of superlatives to describe how awe-inspiring Bevan's guitars are. Seriously, your first experience playing one will knock you back on your heels in stunned amazement.
Some day, I'm going to own a Big Hollow guitar.