The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > Build and Repair

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 01-10-2020, 05:20 AM
1bad914 1bad914 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 12
Default First build

New to the forum. I have built a few electric guitars, but have always wanted to build an acoustic. Through a friend of my wife’s, I was able to meet a local wood worker that has built a lot of acoustic guitars. About a year ago he agreed to mentor me. Last night I strung the guitar up for the first time. I built an all mahogany dreadnought, that resembles a J-45. The only wood that is not mahogany is the rosewood bridge and fretboard. Plus the maple bridge plate. Very warm tone, plus the sustain is amazing. Once I read up on how to add pics, I will add some.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-10-2020, 05:32 AM
1bad914 1bad914 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 12
Default

Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-10-2020, 05:33 AM
1bad914 1bad914 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 12
Default

Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-10-2020, 05:38 AM
1bad914 1bad914 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 12
Default

I used an unusual method to finish this guitar. No lacquer, I used wipe on poly. My mentor wanted me to spray lacquer, I chose poly instead. I had used it on many electric guitars and took a chance. So far no tonal issues at all. It sounds great IMHO. I used zpoxy to grain fill it. I will document the process I use if anyone is interested.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-10-2020, 06:20 AM
Dave Abrahamson Dave Abrahamson is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Safety Harbor, FL
Posts: 445
Default

I'm interested��
I used Stewmac wipe on poly for a uke I built, but didn't grain fill and I achieved nowhere near the gloss you have.
Great job and a very nice looking guitar.
__________________
Early Ovation classical
2001 Taylor 355
2002 Taylor 308 BB
2004 Taylor 214
2011 Taylor GC4
1964 Fender Stratocaster
1965 Fender Jazz Bass
Fender Twin Reverb
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-10-2020, 07:24 AM
Neil K Walk Neil K Walk is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Pittsburgh suburbs
Posts: 8,309
Default

Very nice first attempt. I've been contemplating using wipe on poly for my current built to get a higher gloss than my first (which was French polish.) I love how yours turned out. What did you use to fill the pores? Z-Poxy?
__________________
(2006) Larrivee OM-03R, (2009) Martin D-16GT, (1998) Fender Am Std Ash Stratocaster, (2013) McKnight McUke, (1989) Kramer Striker ST600, a couple of DIY builds (2013, 2023)
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-10-2020, 07:55 AM
phavriluk phavriluk is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Granby, CT
Posts: 2,913
Default A thought

Wonderful sharing - - - Thanks! Love to see more of the wipe-on poly technique, I have a project approaching finish.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-10-2020, 09:38 AM
printer2 printer2 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Middle of Canada
Posts: 5,096
Default

See. Much better than building one of those stupid electrics. right?

__________________
Fred
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-10-2020, 10:14 AM
charles Tauber charles Tauber is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,381
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by printer2 View Post
See. Much better than building one of those stupid electrics. right?

You mean one of those breadboards with frets?
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-10-2020, 06:20 PM
1bad914 1bad914 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 12
Default

Thank you for the comments. I grain fill with zpoxy. It usually takes 2-3 coats. I scrape it flat then sand to 320. I then apply 15-20 thin coats of minwax wipe on poly. I use a well washed t-shirt, fold it into a little 2 inch square so no edges are exposed. I wipe the poly on in the same direction. Overlapping each pull. Always pull off the edges. You can run it along the sides. I do the bottom first, starting in the middle and pulling down to the bottom. You can tell if it is to dry. I can get about 3 rows before I need more in my cloth. These are thin coats. To thick and it runs. I do the entire guitar with a coat and wait 3-4 hours between coats. Yes it can take days. I put 15-20 coats on. It’s okay if you wait a day or two between coats. Don’t get discouraged, it takes about 7 coats for it to start looking good. After all the coats are done, I wait about a week to let it dry. I then start wet sanding at 800-1000-1500-2000 grit paper. I then machine buff it with rubbing compound, then machine polish it with polishing compound. I use 3M automotive compounds. You can buy them at a local auto body paint supply store. I use a wool wheel for the rubbing and foam wheel for the polish. Be careful with the sanding, you can go through, but if you do you can stop, let it dry and load on 5-6 spot coats in that area and fix it.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-10-2020, 06:26 PM
1bad914 1bad914 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 12
Default

The best part, you can do it in your basement or shop without having to spray. I would not hang around for the first hour or two if drying because it can smell a bit.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-10-2020, 07:10 PM
1bad914 1bad914 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 12
Default

Started on the next one today. Here is the back.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-10-2020, 08:05 PM
ClaptonWannabe2 ClaptonWannabe2 is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Katy, TX
Posts: 448
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1bad914 View Post
Started on the next one today. Here is the back.

What?

Wheres the string or tuners on the first one sir? Or nut and saddle.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 01-10-2020, 09:06 PM
runamuck runamuck is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,275
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1bad914 View Post
Thank you for the comments. I grain fill with zpoxy. It usually takes 2-3 coats. I scrape it flat then sand to 320. I then apply 15-20 thin coats of minwax wipe on poly. I use a well washed t-shirt, fold it into a little 2 inch square so no edges are exposed. I wipe the poly on in the same direction. Overlapping each pull. Always pull off the edges. You can run it along the sides. I do the bottom first, starting in the middle and pulling down to the bottom. You can tell if it is to dry. I can get about 3 rows before I need more in my cloth. These are thin coats. To thick and it runs. I do the entire guitar with a coat and wait 3-4 hours between coats. Yes it can take days. I put 15-20 coats on. It’s okay if you wait a day or two between coats. Don’t get discouraged, it takes about 7 coats for it to start looking good. After all the coats are done, I wait about a week to let it dry. I then start wet sanding at 800-1000-1500-2000 grit paper. I then machine buff it with rubbing compound, then machine polish it with polishing compound. I use 3M automotive compounds. You can buy them at a local auto body paint supply store. I use a wool wheel for the rubbing and foam wheel for the polish. Be careful with the sanding, you can go through, but if you do you can stop, let it dry and load on 5-6 spot coats in that area and fix it.
I'd like to make a suggestion: on an acoustic guitar, I'd recommend that you at least seal the top with shellac before the oil. The reason for this is that PolyOil is thin and will penetrate a softwood like spruce or cedar and in doing so, can dampen its responsiveness. The shellac will prevent penetration.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 01-10-2020, 09:13 PM
1bad914 1bad914 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 12
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ClaptonWannabe2 View Post
What?



Wheres the string or tuners on the first one sir? Or nut and saddle.


Lol I need to take some pics of the completed guitar.
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > Build and Repair

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:24 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=