A Pair of Ditsons

[Joe Sustaire]

Thanks Eben, I used to just lay a sheet of regular sandpaper on there and hold it while I sanded the bridge, and it would always oversand the wing tips from movement or rising up or something. Gave me fits, this works much better.

And hurray, I'm finally down to putting some finish on these babies!

I did my pore filling with a tip from a Luthier Tips du Jour video on pore filling, on youtube. They filled using regular drywall joint compound colored with a dye they mixed in. Looked easy, price was right, already had some, so hey, why not? I didn't have any dye, so I colored mine with some dark grey latex paint, almost black and some burgandy latex, just mixed till I got a nice dark color I thought would be all right down in the pores. You dab a little on, rub it in, working a small section at a time, and then burnish it off with some course burlap. Worked like a champ for me, quick, easy, accessible and cheap. Sorry I didn't take any pics.

I then toned the guitar, back, sides, top, and neck with my newly made batch of walnut stain I made following Hodges directions, check out his thread on that. A whole bunch of the tops I have stockpiled are cheapies I bought at auction, and many of them have some light grey staining, which when you get it all sanded down starts to look not so fine, but hey I'm drawn to cheeeep, so what can I say. Anyway, that's why I toned the tops with the walnut stain, and amber shellac. Sorta, rubbed and vintage look, I hope!

So, I'm going with french polishing for the bodies, and tung oil for the necks.
And here is how they're looking so far.









Won't be long now, and I'm sure getting antsy!

Joe

[Eben]

Very cool, easy goin' and innovative - Newbies out there, y'all watchin'?



E

[Lefty]

I'm watching Uncle Eben and I am learning a lot.

Thanks Joe,

Lefty

[gilmoreguitars]

Hey Joe
I have been away for a bit. These are lookig awsome!
That drywall filler thing is a neat idea...where'd you come up with that one?
David

[Joe Sustaire]

Thanks David, go to youtube and search for Luthier Tips du Jour, it's a series of videos, look for pore filling. Pretty good idea, worked great for me.

Got the french polishing done and a nice tung oil finish on the necks.
So I glued the bridges on today with HHG no less, and then tomorrow I can get on to the final steps. Saddle, nut filing, tuners etc.



Bridge is fitted to the top and clamps and pads are ready.




Here you can see my whittled toothpick registration.




And this is how you do HHG back in the sticks without electricity. The old Coleman camp stove, a baffle under the pot to keep from overheating, and a close eye on the thermometer.



Set up right on the workbench so hot glue gets right to the bridge and body.




And there you have it.
I'll keep it clamped up for two hours and then do the next one.
And let them set for 24 hrs. before stringing up.

So close,
Joe

[Dennis Leahy]

Hey Joe, we're going to be hearing these babies singing real soon!

I like the toothpick registration pins - very much!

What kind of tape did you put down on the tops, at the bridge location? It seems that the FP did not seep under the tape one bit, and you got the tape off leaving no residue and pulling up no fibers. Was that just "plain 'ol" masking tape? Did you warm it up before removing it, or any other magical technique?

Dennis

[D_H_G GUITARS]

Hey Joe looking great man! You only have baby steps left now.

Thxs
Hugh

[RegnierGuitars]

Hey Joe,

Your guitars is coming along very well. I'm with Dennis like that registration pin technique you used.
Gone to try that on my builds, I've always had a tough time keeping the bridge from sliding.

Regards - Luc