guitar wood sizes

[kirtley2013]

for anyone making a standard acoustic guitar, what size would you reccomend the rough sides, front, back and neck are?, im looking for wood to make a steel string acoustic guitar but i need the rough sizes of the peices to tell the person who has the wood!
thanks

[Ben-Had]

Depends what size guitar you're building. Obviously, a larger set can usually be used to make a smaller guitar but not the reverse.

[gitnoob]

Here are some sizes from LMI:
http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/Secondpr...acks+and+Sides

Minimum Dimensions

Classical / OM / 000
Backs: 21” x 7¾ x .140” / 53.3cm x 19.7cm x 3.5mm
Sides: 30” x 4½ x .120” / 76.2cm x 11.4cm x 3mm

Steel String
Backs: 22” x 8½”+ x .140” / 55.9cm x 21.6cm x 3.5mm
Sides: 32” x 5”x .120” / 81.3cm x 12.7 x 3mm

You can check their site for other part dimensions as well.

Do you have a way to thickness the wood yourself? If not, ask you supplier to thickness the back and sides to fairly close to whatever you plan to use for a final thickness.

[kirtley2013]

thanks!
gitnoob, what size guitar would that steel string equate to?, a dreadnaught?
sorry, im new to measuring guitar sizes!

[gitnoob]

Typically a dreadnaught, but basically anything up to 16" wide, so you could probably build a jumbo model with those sets as well.

You're better off dealing with one of the well-known luthier supply houses. Not only will they be able to answer all your questions, but you can be confident that you're getting wood you can actually use (correctly sawed and dried).

[John Arnold]

The thicknesses listed by LMI are surfaced. Rough sawn backs and tops are usually at least 3/16" thick, while sides are at least 5/32".

A one-piece neck blank measures 3" by 4" by 24". A block that size will make two 14-fret necks. For vertical grain, the growth rings need to be parallel with the wide face.

[redir]

I would recommend you google around on some of the suppliers web sites. You can learn a lot from their descriptions. Also research what makes good guitar wood and what doesn't. Learn about sawing techniques used to produce guitar wood to include concepts of vertical grain, run out, quarter vs flat sawn, drying techniques, storage, and much more.

There's a LOT more to obtaining wood for a guitar than just the sizes. If your supplier doesn't already know what size you need for a guitar then I would wonder if he knows how to cut for one. If anything ask him if the wood he is supplying you is quarter sawn, especially for the backs and sides.

Good luck and post pics if you get some.

[kirtley2013]

Ok, after much contenplating I think im going to make a jumbo!, the extra bass drew me in!, I will have many questions to follow!!!!