Ron Steiger Harp Guitar

[Ventura Bill]

Hi Ron,

It is looking good, Ron! While you were at work this morning, I was over visiting the new Woodcraft store which just opened today. First thing I noticed when I walked in was a hand made Mandolin in the counter display window. One of the employees named Rich said he was the builder. He did a beautiful inlay job on the head and fingerboard. I told him I was making a 10 String and he asked me to bring it in when it was done. The owner was there and he was interested when I told them that we have another Luthier in town who is building Harp Guitars. If you go in, you might mention that you too are a Luthier. I bought some nice hardwood laminating strips (not sure why except Stephanie said they were pretty ) and dye pen for covering scratches in wood finishes, etc. I think I can use it to touch up the rework I had to do on the Zebrawood Head plate for my 10 String build.

Keep in touch.

Ventura Bill from down the hill.

[Eben]

Lookin' forward to this step, Brotha - Take lotsa pics - I know how fast you are!!



E

[Ron]

Good morning Guys..ok here we go with the harp Head plate...The neck is a mock-up neck...I clamp the neck in place.(1) first thing I do is mark 1inch from the fret board...thats were I want the bass string to start from...I also have a mock-up bridge and harp headplate...



the next thing I do is lay this mock-up on top of the top and check my fit..all around , making sure the string length fits(most important) Length...on the first string is 28 1/2 from the saddle to the mark were I want the string to stop.



check to make sure nothing hit's like the tunner ! strings! or the guitar neck! ok....looks good next please..



ok I mark out were I want the head plate to go



start with chipping out the place were I want this to go...lot of work here so take your time...a good glue joint is priceless..



ok she fit really nice



to hide all my work heres what I use to do this ...

next I mark again were my strings are going on the mahogany piece am using...this is the real one am using..


heres the ruler from the other side...the length I think it was 33in from the saddle here...now I have my length for the bass string now I do the tunners holes
and

and glue her up

ok wait over night and stop the bindings....

I have used this glue joint on my other builds and so far it been over 2 years and hold up fine...the other thing is now I have a harp head plate mock-up plate
to use on my next build...Now there no need for me to do it this way on my next build...now I have the patten....and I can glue it in place when
am building the body,,,can you see were am going on this? I'll hide all the line with bindings and some inlays...just on this build..

ok thanks for looking....


Ron

[Eben]

That's most cool, Ron -

You make it look easy, but I know it ain't...

E

[Ron]

ok its starting to look alive...wow what a lot of work...today I got the neck and solded trust rod installed and tunners holes drilled..

Now I can turn to the bindings and fret board...

[gilmoreguitars]

Ron...whatever you're on...I'll take 2!!
wow...you work fast...lemme see...kids at school...tile installing...commuting...and you still build faster than any one I have encountered! I hope you t ake some time to breath everyday man!
David

[Ron]

Thats funny there david

I was thinking I had it easy...dont forget my rental units. lol...

Ron..

[Ron]

I have a guy that email me on the 3rd of this month and want a guitar!

and I just got a call from a guy to remodel (rental) unit ...wow I have my hand full...ok next come the bindings...man I still cant make-up my mind
on them . Ill have to sleep on it again....

thanks Jim for the plane I got it today ..

Ron