Looking Forward to Healdsburg 2011 -- McKnight Guitar Build

[Billy Boy]

Hello! Tim and Mary have really been working on the Healdsburg sisters since I last posted any pictures. I'm looking forward to those whose guitars are part of this year's Healdsburg sisterhood post some of their pictures, and Cotten's guitar build will soon be joining ours.

So, some pictures --

In these next pictures, Tim will be preparing the purfling and binding, routing the top of the guitar to place the purfling and binding on the guitar, and placing the end wedge in.

The purfling will be Tim's red material purfling.



You'll notice that the red purfling material is sandwiched between the black fibre material.



And the sanwiched purfling is placed into a clamp once glued together.



The purfling is added to the binding. My binding material is flamey koa.



And the purfling/binding is placed into a clamp.



Tim planes the purfling/binding.



...and cuts it into sized strips.



Tim prepares the purfling/binding for being placed into the bender jig by soaking the material with water.



Then into the bender jig it goes.



I love this close-up of the purfling/binding in the bender jig.



I don't always follow or understand each of the steps that go into my guitar build, so I'll ask Tim to correct or clarify anything that I've noted above.

[Billy Boy]

As the purfling/binding is being set in the bender jig, Tim begins to measure for the routing for purfling/binding placement, and prepares the end wedge.

Here Tim is measuring for the purfling/binding routing.



And once measurements are completed, Tim begins the routing process.



Here's a close-up of the routing.



Tim prepares the guitar for the end wedge.



Places the end wedge purfling in place.



And places the end wedge in position.



It is so kewl that Mary keeps the pictures coming so that each of us can memorialize the builds of our guitars. A huge THANK YOU to Tim & Mary!

[Howard Klepper]

deleted
.....

[Tim McKnight]

Howard privately sent a concerned email about the photo of me using a glove near my table saw blade. This was my response to him...


I agree that gloves are VERY dangerous around power tools because they can catch in moving parts and actually pull your hand into the machine. However, I only use the LH glove to hold slight side pressure on the stock keeping it snugly against the fence. The LH glove keeps me from getting cuts on my fingers.

You will notice the wooden "push stick" that I use to push the stock through the cutting zone. Thanks again Howard for pointing this out because I would never advocate doing anything dangerous in a shop environment.

[Rollie]

Tim , the red purfling/end wedge looks great against that maple...It's nice to see a master at work..you make it look sooooo...easy..........

[Tim McKnight]

Thanks Rollie,
Actually bindings are one of my least favorite tasks. There is simply no margin for error and all miters and fits have to be perfect. I get really stressed out during the binding process and its not a good time to visit the shop ;(

[Mary]

Originally Posted by Tim McKnight

I get really stressed out during the binding process and its not a good time to visit the shop ;(

He's right, but our kids and I visit him anyhow.


Not to mention I work there.

[Billy Boy]

Tim and Mary have kept busy with the Healdsburg sisters. We'll look at some pictures of the binding being placed on my guitar and some beginning work on the peg head.

Here Tim is routing in preparation for the binding that crosses the cutaway.



And the binding fits perfectly.



Setting the binding around the box is a slow process. How's your back, Tim?



Placing binding along the top. A nice shot of the top and rosette.



I think Tim has a strong back.



Roller sanding next.



And cleaning it up.



Then Tim begins to show his surgeon skills as he prepares the first cut for the neck joint.



Ready for the neck.



...more to come...

[Billy Boy]

...and here's the more...

Tim is spraying sealer on the top.



Tim prestains the quilted birds-eye maple in preparation for the eventual minimal sunburst that will go on my guitar.



Wow! The prestain sure gives us a glimpse of how the maple will pop!



Tim prepares to work on the peg head.



Peg head all clamped up.



Ginger taps for tuner placement.



The end of the neck ready to be set into the guitar.



A perfect set -- spot on!



And back to more shaping and sanding the peg head.



It's coming together.

[Billy Boy]

The tuner holes are marked.



Tim prepares to work on the heel cap.



The heel cap material is glued in place.



Shaping the heel cap.



The heel cap...



Sanding the heel of the neck for perfect placement.



It fits!



...just a few more...

[Billy Boy]

Preparting to cut the frets.



Cutting the fret board into shape.



Cutting the purfling for the fret board.



Planing the sides of the fret board.



Tim is preparing to place the binding/purfling on the sides of the fret board.



Gluing the binding/purfling to the fret board.



I think the red purfling with the flamed koa binding will look great with the sunburst. Sure looks good against the african blackwood of the fret board.



Fretboards of three of the Healdsburg sisters.



That's it for now. Hope you're enjoying the pictures of Tim's craftsmanship. I can't thank Tim and Mary enough for the building and memorializing the build of my guitar.

I think it's time for us to see some of Cotten's build.

[racman]

This is looking beautiful already - congrats Tim & Mary. It's going to look stunning!

[racman]

Originally Posted by Billy Boy

I think it's time for us to see some of Cotten's build.

I agree ...

[Kitchen Guitars]

Mary, the pictures are looking great. Another stunner Tim.
I thought the one glove thing was you were playing Michael Jackson music while working

[Mary]

Thanks, Guys. Sure do appreciate the kind words.

I'd love to show Cotten's build and we will do that soon. I take full blame and must apologize that I can't go into the build until I get the final work of our inlay artist. Harvey Leach is a little busy recreating the Mona Lisa for the Martin Company. He assures me we are not going to have to wait forever.

I assume his prior commitment will soon be done, but I am pretty sure they have a deadline, too. This is work that must be completed first.