First build - tone not what I was expecting, but good

[Mbroady]

Originally Posted by vibrolucky

Thanks very much - yes I'm very proud of it. I actually played it a few days before adding the pickguard, can't tell any difference in tone. Its a 'tor-tis' from LMII. Wanted something a little different from a generic teardrop shape, and the lines of this (small body Gibson style) seemed to look better to my eye.

That is great that you had the opportunity to compare pre and post pick guard.
Not hearimg a difference seems to align with what most builders say.

I have a guitar that has a clear pick guard on it and will be switching to a more traditional style. The Tor-tis was recommended. Very little mass is what I was told.

[charles Tauber]

Originally Posted by vibrolucky

... once you start on the rosette & bracing its too late to make the top thinner.

Many makers will do additional, selective thinning of the top, particularly around the edges of the lower bout, after the body has been assembled - usually before rabbeting for the binding. How much to remove, and where, is determined by whatever method(s) a maker chooses, be it deflection testing with weights or thumb pressure, tapping or vibration analysis (e.g. Chladni testing).

Many makers will plane one side of the top, install the rosette, then thickness the top from the underside/inside, prior to cutting out the sound hole.

[D. Churchland]

Originally Posted by vibrolucky

Yes, but after screwing up two others 😌I left it as is. Action turned out perfect, and the sound was great so I just gave up. Took me 4 pieces of bone on the Nut as well, but hey I learned from this and hopefully can make some improvements!
It’s pretty solid under string pressure so I’m not sweating it. I’ve also added a heal cap since I took this photo.

Thanks for all the comments everyone!

Makes sense. Sometimes you just have to roll with it. Good job for keeping at it and getting it done.

[WaddyT]

That is a nice job for a first! Expectations for a first guitar are usually far beyond capabilities to produce a great sounding guitar. Most first guitars are a complicated woodworking project alone. Great sound comes with experience and knowledge. That said, most first guitars will sound better than most off the shelf production guitars.