OM Cutaway for TAMCO

Steve Kinnaird · #1 09-12-2011, 09:19 AM

Trevor Moyle conctacted us earlier this year about building an OM for his shop in Brighton, and we thought you'd enjoy watching this build come together. (edit) I'm new to shipping overseas, and hoping for smooth sailing. Should go well as long as I cross the "t's" and dot the "i's". (I think the Lacey Act has most every luthier on yellow alert.)

As this will be our first guitar for his shop (TAMCO), the approach will be fairly conservative. Trevor stipulated EI Rosewood with a Sitka top. Asked what appointments he might like, he added that curly Koa looks good for binding material, and he let slip that he has a fondness for spalted maple rosettes. So basic decisions are made, now we're down to specifics.

Always we get a customer's input, so we sent Trevor some pics of sample sets. Thought you might enjoy seeing what his choices were, and perhaps guessing which set he chose?

We have a good bit more Indian rosewood on hand, but these four sets were fairly characteristic of our stocks. Care to choose?

Steve

DamianL · #2 09-12-2011, 09:45 AM

The last set?

mb propsom · #3 09-12-2011, 10:38 AM

Having flunked my recent clairvoyance course, I have no idea what Trevor would go for, but I also really like number four.

Welshboy · #4 09-12-2011, 12:10 PM

I'd probably go for the ;ast set too. I know Trevor and his shop well and I don't think he;d be disappointed with any of them.

Huckleberry · #5 09-12-2011, 01:25 PM

Yes, I would think he chose the last set. I'll definitely try to get down there to play it when it comes in - looking forward to it!

naccoachbob · #6 09-12-2011, 02:20 PM

So far it's unanimous (and I know I spelled it right!). It's the last set.
However, if unanimity has failed, you can off-load that last set to the north side of town!!
Nice stuff, Steve. Can't wait to see it progress.
Bob

matt Jacobs · #7 09-12-2011, 05:27 PM

I'm kinda partial to set 3. Besides the straight grain, it has a little more "flavor" than the other sets.

BTW, did you get that set from your brother? it has the initials JK written on it.

Bruce Sexauer · #8 09-12-2011, 05:31 PM

#20 if he's the businessman I think he is.

bdm0509 · #9 09-12-2011, 06:35 PM

#20. Straight-grained > crazy-grained. (Knowing I've violated my own rule here at times.)

Steve Kinnaird · #10 09-12-2011, 08:44 PM

Set #20 it was. I realize those pics aren't the best--for instance the sides are a fine color match to the back, though the camera's eye doesn't see it that way. I will have to admit to being intrigued by the second set, #9, because of the color. The books say that EIR ranges from red to brown to purple, but I'd never seen the red version until this batch came in. Should finish out somewhat like Cocobolo. (Well, red Coco anyway.)

What I like about set #20 is the near black center. Beautiful under finish.

Matt, my bro didn't supply this set. The "JK" is just to keep this batch separate from the "BT" sets.

Thanks for the observations, and playing along.

Steve

jeastman · #11 09-13-2011, 01:39 AM

I have to go with set #20 as well. Nice and straight but some beautiful color in that one.

And if you guys want some more assurance I'll be passing from the US through the UK in the next year. Of course I might require a bit of extra time to get to know my traveling companion

Steve Kinnaird · #12 09-13-2011, 06:01 PM

Jamin, terms accepted!

So here we go--

Ryan beginning the bend. We still enjoy using a hot pipe for this:

Our form that sets the cutaway bend:

Fitting the sides into the mold, and gluing in blocks:

Gluing in the linings. We use reverse kerf for the top, and triangular for the back linings. All these are Spanish Cedar:

Thanks for watching,

Steve

Steve Kinnaird · #13 09-23-2011, 10:09 PM

Here the back halves are glued together, and we're routing for the center seam inlay. That inlay will be curly Koa to match the bindings:

In this shot the channel is ready for the inlay, which is shown resting on the back:

Gluing in the inlay:

The back inlay, scraped flush, showing something of the finished appearance:

Thanks for watching,

Steve

Steve Kinnaird · #14 09-24-2011, 06:59 PM

3 more for the weekend.

First up is a view of the go bar deck being used to glue in the center seam reinforcement. An unused back brace, which matches the radius, serves as a clamping caul:

No pictures of sawing out the brace slots, but here are the braces being glued to the back:

And once the glue is dry, the back is set on the rim assembly to ascertain the brace pocket locations. These are marked with a dental probe and a pencil, so that we can see what we're aiming for:

Thanks for watching,

Steve

KolayaGuitars · #15 09-24-2011, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt Jacobs

I'm kinda partial to set 3. Besides the straight grain, it has a little more "flavor" than the other sets.

BTW, did you get that set from your brother? it has the initials JK written on it.

I second that motion! Third set; love the dark in the center.

*EDIT* OOPS! I'm a bit late on this i guess...sorry! 20 was a great choice!