Ben Wilborn/Nautilox: Tunnel 14/BRW! Final VIDEO added!!! - Page 4

TomB'sox · #46 01-27-2020, 09:32 AM

Continuing on with the build. Ben decided to use some of the Tunnel 14 Redwood for the back bracing as he says it is just super nice stuff to work with, doesn't splinter or split etc.

First the back strip is glued in:

nautilox back strip.jpg

Here he is getting the T-14 ready for braces:

nautilox t-14 back braces.jpg

And in typical Ben fashion here is a pile of T-14 sawdust. Ben's contemplative self realized that the sawdust he just made came from a tree that was growing in N.A. during the dark ages in Europe and well before any European had been to N.A. I mean that is pretty cool...

nautilox T-14 sawdust.jpg

TomB'sox · #47 01-27-2020, 09:37 AM

Next the back braces are being glued in:

A sea of bracing:

nautilox back braces.jpg

This is a fossilized rib cage from a Benasaurus Rex also being used to anchor down the braces:

nautilox back braces 2.jpg

And since Ben is building two of the Nautilus models for B.I.G., everything is doubled. Here are the neck blanks for the two guitars:

nautilox neck blank.jpg

Thanks for checking in!

cigarfan · #48 01-27-2020, 11:35 AM

Ben is making Redwood braces famous. This one and Jupitar have that in common. Looking good Tom. Only a couple months till I get to try it (that is if you let me.

)

TomB'sox · #49 01-27-2020, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cigarfan

Ben is making Redwood braces famous. This one and Jupitar have that in common. Looking good Tom. Only a couple months till I get to try it (that is if you let me.

)

Yes, I am not sure what he is using on the top yet, but at least for the back he did.

I am pretty darned sure you will get to try this one and probably order one when you are done lol!

Nemoman · #50 01-27-2020, 03:32 PM

Yeah, Dennis--trust me, you're gonna want one of these!

TomB'sox · #51 01-28-2020, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Yeah, Dennis--trust me, you're gonna want one of these!

I think this to be true!

Ben has been working a lot...here is a nice little reminder of what we have going...it is officially known as the Nautilox (THANKS Cigarfan for a perfect name)....

Nautilox top signature.jpg

cigarfan · #52 01-29-2020, 03:55 AM

Fantastic!!!!!!

TomB'sox · #53 01-29-2020, 01:09 PM

I don't believe Ben usually does this, but he has put a single coat of dilute epoxy on the inside of the box and my goodness is it pretty. He thinks the cedar linings will still impart that magical smell to the guitar. I just love this part of woodworking ie. that first brush of any finish and seeing what colors come through. I know other builders that do this and believe it helps stabilize the guitar against humidity changes as well?

Look at the beauty in these woods!!!! As I have said before, I love guitars.

inside the box dilute epoxy 1.jpg

inside the box dilute epoxy.jpg

inside the box one coat dilute epoxy.jpg

insides with dilute epoxy.jpg

Nemoman · #54 01-29-2020, 01:15 PM

Beautimus! I've always liked the look of a finished inside, especially now that you get such a nice view of it from the 3D soundport.

Ben is already upping his game since the Arum--now I'm jealous!

cigarfan · #55 01-31-2020, 08:28 AM

Tim McKnight sprays the inside as well. During the winter months (dry season) I find I'm less concerned about briefly leaving mine out on a stand, even overnight, without dreams of the box collapsing in on itself.

Sure looks good Tom!

j. Kinnaird · #56 01-31-2020, 08:53 AM

My original mentor under whose tutelage i first learned the craft of guitar making used to say bad words when a guitar was brought into his shop for a crack repair that was finished on the inside. It was his contention that a guitar should be built with repair in mind and toward those ends never finished on the inside. He did a lot of repair work to keep his business afloat and pay the store rent but he also made some really beautiful instruments. HOWEVER, i think that if you finish with a substance which can be glued to, like dilute epoxy, that you can have it both ways, pretty innards, a slowing of humidity loss (you can never count on finish to prevent humidity loss) and the possibility of making structural repairs by gluing to a finish that itself is structural.
I bet a thin wash of superglue would work well too. (Maybe not)

Anyway, beautiful guitar already. I’m certainly looking forward to playing this thing at BIG. Ben does superlative work and this model is a very creative design

TomB'sox · #57 01-31-2020, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Beautimus! I've always liked the look of a finished inside, especially now that you get such a nice view of it from the 3D soundport.

Ben is already upping his game since the Arum--now I'm jealous!

Perfect, that was the plan

Quote:

Originally Posted by cigarfan

Tim McKnight sprays the inside as well. During the winter months (dry season) I find I'm less concerned about briefly leaving mine out on a stand, even overnight, without dreams of the box collapsing in on itself.

Sure looks good Tom!

I think that is thought to be true, and I don't want to speak out of turn, but I am almost positive Jason Kostal does this as well.

New pics today: Binding the headstock (s):

Routered and ready....

nautilox binding the headstock.jpg

Completed with some magic juice on the BRW veneer:

nautilox binding the headstock 1.jpg

And last but not least, the two Nautilii brothers together, Nautilox on the left, Blueboy (whose name will become quite evident in looking at the photo) on the right.

nautilii headstocks.jpg

TomB'sox · #58 02-02-2020, 08:12 AM

Continuing with binding...We have a completed box that is now all ready to accept binding. Ben seals the channels with shellac before the binding is glued in.

nautilox body bindings 1.jpg

nautilox body bindings 5.jpg

nautilox body bindings 3.jpg

In this last pic you can see as the binding channel swoops around the 3-D sound hole on the side towards the neck, the channel enlarges again. This is a design element that is unique from the prototype so that it matches the widening at the arm bevel. He did it on the Arum as well and it looks great.

nautilox body bindings 4.jpg

So in this last pic we see that Ben can indeed make a little mess while working, although I am sure it did not stay that way for long!!!

box binding 1.png

mountainguitar · #59 02-02-2020, 08:19 AM

Oh Tom- This is going to be so gorgeous! I really love this design and this guitar is coming together so beautifully! And the videos Ben has made with the prototype suggest a really rich tone.... I'm so excited for you as I follow along

beth

TomB'sox · #60 02-02-2020, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmh1

Oh Tom- This is going to be so gorgeous! I really love this design and this guitar is coming together so beautifully! And the videos Ben has made with the prototype suggest a really rich tone.... I'm so excited for you as I follow along

beth

Thank you so much Beth, I really wish I can put this one in your hands, but I know it was not possible this year. I am pretty darned excited about this one for sure.