First amateur scratch guitar build, continued: cedar/mahogany medium jumbo - Page 12

Neil K Walk · #**166** 12-23-2012, 02:08 PM

I've mentioned that the outer rosette ring had been bothering me. Well, I'm neurotic so naturally I picked at it and lo and behold it came out - albeit with a little tearout. THe problem was that way back when I reached for the wrong purfling strip. I grabbed fine BWB laminate when I'd routed for bold BWB laminate. THe result was a gap and an irregular oval shape to the ring. Well, went back and flooded that trench with Titebond III this time (I'd used AR glue the first time) and pushed some bold BWB purfling. I was satisfied to have some squeeze out (which is good because that means that the glue will hold this time) and after about 12 hours I went back and started whittling away at it with a mini plan, a scraper and several different grades of sandpaper (60,100,180,200,320) until it looked like this, which is still not quite there yet:

As you can see, there's some tearout that happened when I pried the old rpurfling ring out. It could've been worse but still it needs some fixing. The cedar shard is gone but I tried filling ith with a mixture of Titebond and sawdust.I'm also using the opportunity to final sand the top. I'm starting to see some silking pop up which is encouraging.

Neil K Walk · #**167** 12-25-2012, 07:54 PM

Sawdust is filling in the gaps nicely. How to make them stick though? Shellac followed by CA glue, I wonder?

Kitchen Guitars · #**168** 12-28-2012, 07:57 PM

Time to design your "Fish"!

To those out of the loop. My mistakes on build one became a cartoon fish rosette.

Neil K Walk · #**169** 12-28-2012, 10:57 PM

Nah - I can live with these. Actually, I was thinking of doing a mirror to the end cap at either end of the "skunk stripe".

Mary · #**170** 12-29-2012, 09:14 AM

It will be nice to see you tomorrow, Neil, when you and John pick up The Black Knight. We look forward to talking about your first build, too. There will be no rush on time.

clinchriver · #**171** 12-29-2012, 11:04 AM

Neal
I just strung up my first build. Its exceeded all my expectations warts and all. I recommend finish this ASAP, play an instrument that you built. Its addicting

Mary · #**172** 12-31-2012, 07:31 AM

Tim and I really enjoyed seeing you.John Kitchen, Donh and his wife, Pat, yesterday, Neil. It was great getting a close up view of this guitar and leaning more about it. The box has great sound. I sure hope you will bring it back when it is completed. You know where we live!

Neil K Walk · #**173** 12-31-2012, 01:58 PM

Thanks, Mary. It's good to hear that Tim commiersates on the trials of binding - but I have to say that the payoff is worth it. I really appreciate all the advice, encouragement and even a bit of hands-on help that you two have given me. I really hope that I have something more presentable - if not actually playable - by the McJam. I've dabbled with French polish before on a ukelele kit and was thinking of going that route with this build. I'm looking forward to getting that fingerboard put on first. I have to tell you though that when Tim told me that my neck angle was right where it was supposed to be I was soooo excited! The end is in sight!

Mary · #**174** 12-31-2012, 06:11 PM

We were just as or more so impressed that your neck angle was perfecto. That's not a simple challenge, yet you mastered it. THat has to make a young man smile!

Neil K Walk · #**175** 01-01-2013, 07:52 AM

I dunno. It must be the magic of the holiday season but somebody pinch me because I still don't believe it. In the back of my mind I think it's still not ready to move ahead on.

Mary · #**176** 01-01-2013, 02:16 PM

If you would have told me in advance I would have been happy to pinch you!

Neil K Walk · #**177** 02-03-2013, 08:33 PM

Well, I'm committed. I finally tapered the serviced fingerboard tonight. Once I get the edge planed up it's on to drilling some holes for the inlays. I opted to go with two sets of pearloid dots of the size used for the side of the fingerboard, only one set will go on the face of the fretboard in homage of the small but tateful markers that adorn the fingerboard on my Larrivee.

Then I go on to install the truss rod and then epoxy on the fingerboard. I ordered some 2-part marine epoxy that Tim recommended. It shouldn't be hard to fashion a brad to align and hold the fingerboard in place while the epoxy cures.

First things first though I want to cut a saddle slot and pin holes in my remaining rosewood bridge blank. I've been planning my approach and have borrowed a couple of jigs - particularly the Stewmac saddle slotting jig and precision router base - and bought a 3/32" downcut carbide bit for my Dremel 300. I've been trying to figure out how to align the PRB so that it's true and level though. For a newbie like me it's not that precise - though I can accept user error as the blame. I have a jury-rigged plan forming on how I'm actually going to do things and I'll be sure to document it once I pull it off. Once the saddle slot is cut and I've drilled in the pin holes it's just some satisfying time with a bandsaw and a Dremel affixed with a grinding wheel to sculp out the bridge. If you recall I did it once before for practice:

*phew* ... after all that ... fretting. I have not put any thought into that step at all but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

ZekeM · #**178** 02-03-2013, 08:50 PM

Getting closer! Keep it up!

Mary · #**179** 02-04-2013, 05:35 PM

Thumbs up, Neil. Great job.

Neil K Walk · #**180** 02-04-2013, 08:19 PM

Ugh. I think I screwed up my other blank.