Size 2 Martin build coming late October

[whitespruce]

Well, thanks for the kind words Dennis, David, and Steve. And Dennis, you are going to have to come and get it 'cuz you are waaaaay overdue for a visit

So I did start the neck carving the other night, too. Here are a few photos of what I did

Rough shaped the neck heel



Then I roughed off some of the excess width on the bandsaw

After which, I shaved it down close to the fingerboard with a block plane

Then I just "went at it" with the draw knife

I just kind of eyeball it, nothing real systematic in how I carve things

So with the drawknife, a bit of the spokeshave and block plane, a big sanding block, and a wood rasp I get 'er down close
Here it is compared to the "real" one


Now, I gotta get the thickness at the nut end down a bit, and get a more "V" shaped cross section in the shaft. Then I gotta refine the heel and the diamond on the back of the peghead. Another hour, allowing for some sanding time should do it.

Thanks for looking

G

[Haans]

Any progress on this, Grant?

[whitespruce]

Any progress on this, Grant?

Nothing of note, but I will have it ready for the Stringfest. We have been pretty well tied up trying to get our 2 big archaeology contracts finished by the June 30 deadline. That, plus the annual garden stint

G

[Haans]

Was hoping you would say that!
Can't wait to see it!

[Brian Itzkin]

To say this guitar is awesome is an understatement. I played an original at the martin factory and was very surprised at how great it was, I can't imagine how amazing it must be to own one.

EDIT: I used the word awesome too many times

[whitespruce]

Just a quick update on this one.

I have started the French polishing on the body. For the time being, I will probably just do the initial coats and leave the final finishing 'till later, so I can have it playable for the Stringfest. The neck needs final sanding and it will be finished in Tru-oil. Again, probably wait 'til later for the final coats.

I will try to get some photos up tomorrow.

G

[Haans]

[Bilbert]

Grant - thanks for a virtuoso tute on building a world-class instrument without a bunch of expensive "luthier tools". My brother-in-law Brian
has said "Luthier tools are largely things you can get at the hardware store, for a third of the price".

Thanks also for the hand-made binding segment - it has me thinking (along with many others) about doing it myself.

Also gotta hand it to ya for the solid frets - makes the tanged frets look like child's play!

Sorry I won't get to see it in person this year, but I'm gonna seriously try to make it next year.

Keep up the inspiring work!!

Bill