Build Thread: Todd Rose Allegheny with adjustable neck - Page 13

Todd Rose · #**181** 06-04-2014, 07:36 PM

Thanks - It's an Epifanes gloss varnish, but it does involve some mixing with thinner, japan drier, and acetone. Sand between coats - yes.

I've made some progress on the finish, but it's a slow process, with a learning curve. Plus, I have a lot of repair work in the shop right now, and other instruments underway as well. I hope to have more pics to post here soon.

CA in the fret slots poses no problems. The frets are removed the same way as usual -- heat the fret then pull with fret pullers. In some cases, a little more cleaning out of the slots may be necessary before refretting, but it's no big deal.

Hierophant · #**182** 06-04-2014, 11:58 PM

Do you mask the fingerboard while polishing the frets?

Todd Rose · #**183** 06-05-2014, 02:59 AM

The short answer is "no". The slightly longer answer is "sometimes, it depends". Most often, when I do mask, I just use StewMac's little fretboard guards.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting...rd_Guards.html

Todd Rose · #**184** 06-05-2014, 03:11 AM

I should add to my post above about refretting that my standard fretwire (on all steel string instruments I make) is evo gold. My experience with these frets so far is that they don't wear out, so, in all likelihood, a refret will never be necessary. There may be some brutal players out there who can wear them out eventually, but it will certainly take many more years before a refret becomes necessary than with standard nickel silver frets. My personal instruments with evo gold frets that have seen more than 5 years of pretty heavy use show absolutely zero fret wear.

David Wren · #**185** 06-05-2014, 06:22 PM

Great thread ... great looking guitar!

Todd Rose · #**186** 06-05-2014, 07:12 PM

Thanks, David!

littlesmith · #**187** 10-12-2014, 10:16 AM

very nice.

Todd Rose · #**188** 10-13-2014, 05:10 AM

Thanks, Littlesmith!

Repair work, other instruments, other work, and life in general have conspired to keep this project on the back burner for a while now, but I hope to get back to it soon and have more photos to post.

billgennaro · #**189** 10-13-2014, 10:18 AM

This is the first I've seen of this thread. I just got done reading 13 pages of posts. Your guitars are certainly built with a different concept than most, and it is extremely interesting. I have always wondered how an adjustable neck mechanism worked. Now I get the picture. I also enjoyed the pics and descriptions of the X bracing and the hows/whys of capping with wood. I only wish I could try one of your instruments to see how it sounds and feels in my hands. This thread has perhaps been the most enjoyable that I've come across. Thank you very much for all the effort. It is greatly appreciated. I can't wait to see the finished product and some close-up pics of the neck joint.

littlesmith · #**190** 10-13-2014, 11:01 AM

how would it sound different if the soundhole was in the "normal" place?

Todd Rose · #**191** 10-13-2014, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billgennaro

This is the first I've seen of this thread. I just got done reading 13 pages of posts. Your guitars are certainly built with a different concept than most, and it is extremely interesting. I have always wondered how an adjustable neck mechanism worked. Now I get the picture. I also enjoyed the pics and descriptions of the X bracing and the hows/whys of capping with wood. I only wish I could try one of your instruments to see how it sounds and feels in my hands. This thread has perhaps been the most enjoyable that I've come across. Thank you very much for all the effort. It is greatly appreciated. I can't wait to see the finished product and some close-up pics of the neck joint.

Thanks, Bill! Much appreciated.

Todd Rose · #**192** 10-13-2014, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlesmith

how would it sound different if the soundhole was in the "normal" place?

The combination of the main hole where it is and the side hole where it is amounts to a tone not much different from having one hole in the "normal" place. Without the side hole, this guitar would have a somewhat deeper, warmer tone, due to how the main hole location would affect the air resonance.

Another factor is that the normal sound hole location, arguably, robs the top of some of its most active area, so there may be an overall advantage in power with the relocated hole.

Todd Rose · #**193** 01-18-2016, 08:36 AM

Since my last post in this thread near the end of 2014, this special project was put on the back burner for a period of time while I fulfilled several other orders, did a lot of repair work, etc, while Dan maintained trust that the guitar would be finished when the time was right. Many thanks to Dan for his patience and faith. I've now completed the guitar and delivered it to him. I'm happy to report that he is totally thrilled with it. I am, too -- I can't deny that it sounds fantastic! Honestly, we are both blown away by its amazing sound.

Todd Rose · #**194** 01-18-2016, 08:44 AM

More pics:

Even though I knew guitars have been made with neck joints very similar to this, I was nervous the first time I brought the strings up to full tension! But the joint is, indeed, absolutely rock solid.

Todd Rose · #**195** 01-18-2016, 08:53 AM

Here's a short video clip of Dan and his wife Naomi singing a lovely little song with Dan playing his new guitar. I shot this with an inexpensive camcorder. It gives you at least some idea of the sound, but the camcorder's mic certainly doesn't do full justice -- especially to the bass end of the sound spectrum. The guitar's sound is very well balanced, i.e. not overpowered by the bass, but the bass is, nonetheless, huge! Not too boomy at all, clear and defined, but as strong as you could want. The guitar, as a whole, is loud and responsive, and very beautiful in its rich tonal colors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l08q6zR-Eds