The Luthier Community

Yup, magnificent piece of wood Grant. When I showed my wife she said get some. Not for a guitar mind you, "people never see the back of a guitar, just hang it on the wall, like watching a fireplace". Damn good description if you ask me.

Wood is such nice material!!

Brian

Wow, That is as great looking piece of cocobolo. I like the bug holes as well.

Grant that's amazing. Thanks for the pix, as well as posting the process.
The typical way of bracing seems so pedestrian now...
Must think up something exotic!

See? You're inspiring us all!

Steve

Grant - looking awesome! I have a couple of questions having glanced back through your postings:

1. On the laminated linings, have you considered using just three strips? Like yours, I've been using 4 strips, and it is quite rigid. I'm wondering if 3 would suffice and cut down on a bit of weight?

2. Is this your first time using Liberon? Wondering on your impressions so far. I'll be interested in your conclusions. It sure has a "low overhead" application method. Curious on the final treatment. How long before buffing, etc.

Thanks for sharing.

John

John, thanks for the comments. I am sure that 3 layers would be plenty strong for the laminated linings. My concern would be gluing width, especially with wide purfling routes.

I have used Liberon before, but I am still a learner. On this one I did an epoxy pore fill (first time and I actually sanded most of it off) and did 2 coats of shellac sealer. I put on 6 light coats of Liberon because that is what I had time for. It has been drying since middle of last week and I will probably buff it out tomorrow cuz I need to glue the bridge and get it strung up by Thursday. Having it playable by Stringfest is driving the process more than doing it correctly Worst case, I will doctor it up later.

So I do have both necks carved and fitted and glued on heel caps tonight. Will final sand and put a few finish coats on them tomorrow. Can always add more coats later. Will take some time to post a few photos tomorrow.

G

I am on schedule, but have spent considerably more time than anticipated to be there. Guess that is normal

I level sanded, 400, 600, 1500 grits wet. Then buffed by hand with 2 compounds. 6 thin coats is not enough, especially on the sides. Wore through in a few spots, but will fix with more coats later...the show must go on.

With both necks

The beryllium copper one is attached to the guitar. They both fit and can be interchanged until I make another body.

The back


Top closeup with bridge just sitting on


My bridge locating devise


A closer look

I next drilled the outer bridge pin holes and put in machine bolts, but forgot to photo

Finish scraped for bridge glue on


Gluing the bridge


So just have to make a bridge saddle and 2 nuts, clean up a bit, install tuners, and string up.

Hope I am not forgetting something. Oh, yes, need to crown the frets

Come and play it this weekend

G

whitespruce wrote:...Come and play it this weekend

G

Great idea, I'll see you this weekend!

Looks like you're gonna' make it!
I'll come play also....

I love your bridge locator! Going to have to make some of those, diff. scale lengths. I'm always juggling straight edges and tape measures, not a good system!