Astrand OM build

[Scottish0177]

Hi to everyone
Thought i would share with you a build by Ted Astrand (Sweden). The build has already started and Ted has kindly sent over some photos of the progress so far so thought i would post these for your viewing pleasure.

Also Just a quick thanks to everyone at TNAG London for their help so far.They have all been incredibly busy at the moment with various things including a crowdcube campaign and completely relocating their shop lock, stock and barrel..Always helpful and Michael and Ben always willing to offer advice or suggestions.




I thought that a little info about Ted would be a nice way to introduce the man himself (although i'm pretty sure a lot of you may already be aware of his work)..This extract is from his own website...Apologies Ted!!! but you did say post as i see fit..LOL

Biography so far...

Before pursuing the art of luthiery I had training in both music, art and woodworking.
I studied a 3 year full-time guitar building course at The Academy of Musical Instruments in Stockholm, Sweden. I built classical , steel-string and archtop guitars. I received my bachelor’s degree in guitar building and passed the tests with honor for my journeyman's certificate as a luthier. My passion has always been with the steel-string acoustic guitar so it came naturally to me to explore it further.

I was fortunate enough to become the first and only apprentice under Jason Kostal at Kostal Guitars. I travelled to Phoenix, Arizona to work under Jason to learn the approach of building a modern steelstring guitar and how to voice a guitar for maximum responsiveness. Jason is a highly respected luthier worldwide and the tonality of his guitars has influenced the work I do today. I now build my guitars from my new workshop in Gothenburgh Sweden.

And Ted on the The art of luthiery...

I say the art of luthiery because I truly believe guitar-making to be an art form. Throughout the whole process of building a guitar I treat each object and piece of wood like it’s a piece of art.

I am currently creating 8-10 guitars annually. Each part of the guitar is made completely by hand and with simple woodworking tools to achieve perfection both tonally and aesthetically. I spend around 200+ hours working on each instrument. From start to finish the instrument is built during a period of 3-4 months. I only use the best materials available and never rush any part of the process. I am a one man shop by choice which means that I can focus on only creating the highest quality craftmanship, tone and playability.

The guitar in question is Teds OM model with the following details

Model: Å-OM
Back&sides: Old Growth (1950's)Brazilian Rosewood
Top: European "moon" spruce
Headcap: Amboyna burl (so nice!!)
Rosette: Amboyna burl
Bindings: Ebony
End Wedge: Amboyna burl

Nut width: 1 3/4" (44.5 mm)
Bridge string spacing: 2 1/4" (57.15mm)
Scale: 25"
Fretboard radius: 16"
Tuners: Gotoh 510

Custom options:
Soundport
Backstrip


Hope you enjoy following the build

First photo to start off with.Old growth Brazilian (early 1950's)



A few Pictures of the Top selected and the Amboyna Burl which will be used for the Rosette, Headplate, end graft and an insert into the back. http://www.wood-database.com/amboyna/

[justonwo]

I'm looking forward to this one. Ted builds fantastic guitars!

[doodahdoug]

I'm really looking forward to following along this build!

[Scottish0177]

Thanks folks.Ted does indeed build fabulous guitars and his craftsmanship is second to none.Needless to say that he is a genuinely nice guy too,and despite his busy schedule always has time to answer my questions.

Here are some more photos

planing and preparing the top for joining


joining the top



And while this was setting Ted carved out both the inner and outer rings of the rosette.Inner is Brazilian Rosewood, outer is the Amboyna burl

[Scottish0177]

A few more from Ted

Work on the rosette

[Scottish0177]

And the finished Rosette...Chisel an optional feature


And again!


And one with a little Naptha applied to bring out a little of the true colour

[Scottish0177]

Rosette finished, Ted moved on to joining the back and once this was done started work on the backstrip and inlay

Cutting out the recess for the inlay to be positioned


Preparing to glue the burl inlay into place


Obvious OCD going on with Ted.Lots of little cuts in order to get those miters flawless


Its those little things in life that test us most.Two perfect 90 degree angles made


Once the burl is glued into the recess and set, Ted then cut out the channel for the Ebony strip which overlaps the burl slightly


And the finished result

[dcn]

Even as separate pieces of wood, this is already beautiful - looking forward to the following the process along.

[rogthefrog]

Two of my favorite recorded guitars are Ted's so I'm looking forward to this one

[ukejon]

Ted's guitars are sonically stunning....just a remarkably talented luthier.

[JJI]

This is just gorgeous. Well chosen on all levels...congrats on this! I love the guitars Ted is building right now and this is going to be lovely.

[cigarfan]

Lots of drooling here. Congrats on your build with Ted.

[iim7V7IM7]

A very pretty set of landscaped BRW...

[GeoffStGermaine]

What a great choice of contrasting colours! Looking forward to seeing this come together.

[Scottish0177]

A few more pictures

Back joined, inlay and backstrip completed, now for the bracing alchemy to begin


The beginning stages of shaping the braces.Blunt tools not an option


Ted has decided to incorporate a floating backbrace into the design.The brace has a very thin ebony veneer running down its length which will tie in with the bindings of the body