Acoustic guitar build - Page 5 - Woodworking Talk

BudK · 03-09-2009, 03:00 PM

Miz,
Yep , but I wanted to do the dovetail first before all else in case I botched it .

Hey Ken ,
Build a guitar . I dare you , double dog dare ya .....Are you an Ameri-can or an ameri-can't ? So what if it takes a year .

Heck , the last thing I built before this was some shelving and garage sliding door's . It's a great challenge and a total blast . I am especially liking the hand tool aspect of it . It's low noise and the wood talks to ya .
I have learned more about woodworking with this project than any other .

Thanks ,

BK

justin2009 · 03-10-2009, 12:24 PM

That's looking really nice! I bet it will sound really nice, too. I'm just now practicing cutting dovetails by hand. It's nervewracking and fun at the same time. I can't imagine taking a nice looking guitar body and cutting a dovetail in it, but it has to be done!

the miz · 03-27-2009, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenbo

Absolutely gorgeous Bud. I'm jealous.
Ken

If you really want to try to build a guitar you can start with a kiy from here... http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Kits.html

I've built several guitars (and quite a few repairs) over the years and it is a great way to hone your woodworking skills due to the level of precision you need. you also need a lot (and various sizes) of clamps. You can never have enough clamps.

Kenbo · 03-28-2009, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BudK

Hey Ken ,
Build a guitar . I dare you , double dog dare ya .....Are you an Ameri-can or an ameri-can't ? So what if it takes a year

Actually Bud, I'm a Can-adian, not a Can't-adian and I just might be up to that double dog dare. (You and I are just dating ourselves by even using dog dares

) I've really enjoyed the progress of your project and I don't know how it turned into a challenge to build one, but it could be a lot of fun. I'm seriously starting to research the subject today. My basement renovation is almost done and then it's SHOP TIME!!!
Ken

Miz, thanks for the link, it's a start.

BudK · 03-29-2009, 11:22 PM

Ken,
2vabien

PTownSubbie · 03-30-2009, 01:58 PM

BK,

You make it look so easy!! I just read your entire post and the progress is incredible. The local Woodcraft store here offers a class to make one of these from a kit. I think the kit is $300 and the class is an additional $300. My son wants me to take the class and build him one......

Did you take any classes to know how to build this or are you just picking up tips on the internet?

It is gorgeous though!! I want to see the finished product....

BudK · 04-03-2009, 03:42 PM

Hiya .
I routed the truss rod slot .IMG_0691a.jpg

I must give "prop's to "Corndog" on this as a thread a while back spurred me on to this , my first guitar build . Thank's Geoff !

( A bass is on the agenda . )

Laid out the neck taper , heel curves and headstock .
IMG_0691a.jpg

Cut close to the layout lines at the heel , rough cut the maple with a pullsaw and went at it with chisel , rasps , and a massive homemade violin knife (a double bevel 1" skew chisel in a handle ).
Doing it by eye .It's amazing what you can find inside a piece of wood . IMG_072a7.jpg
Next is to glue a peghead veneer and do some shaping on that end .
Taper and slot the fretboard , glue that on ...

for a week or two ..And maybe get a chance to work on it again .

Hey ,PtownSubbie , Glad you like it !
I am participating in an on line build-along where there is a class of sort's with highly skilled luthier's . Scoured the internet for month's for tip's on making jigs and tool's .
The time it takes for acoustic tone wood to acclimate can be troublesome .
I spent a lot more than 300$ just on Shop made forms , tool's , extra shelving , a dehumidifier ..... I did buy some "extra" tonewood .

I have fallen a bit behind the class , but I'm moving along .

Bud

YouNGwOOd · 04-04-2009, 01:51 AM

nice work... Ill have to post a pic of the electric guitar my friend from the cabinet shop I learned all my skills from. It looks cool. Thats cool though. I like it!

BudK · 04-05-2009, 07:56 AM

Thank's Youngwood !

Glued the peghead veneer , thicknessed the peghead to 1/2 " and took the neckblank to the bandsaw .IMG_neksaw.jpg

Cleaned the bench , sharpened the plane silly and started thicknessing the fingerboard .IMG_fbord.jpg
The shavings almost look edible

.IMG_shac.jpg
This ebony is prone to tearout so I'll get it down to 1/4" and finish with a sanding block .
That's the nut and saddle hiding out in the dogbone .

Fun .

Bud

BudK · 04-22-2009, 05:21 PM

Hi ,
Got some fretboard work done . Cut the fret slot's on the RAS with a 6" .023 kerf blade . Used a nifty jig thing to cut the taper .taper1.jpg
I also have learned that I am allergic to ebony .
Just got to glue and clamp it silly , then it's on to carve the neck .fretboard.jpg

Thanks for lookin '

Bud

Daggerhart · 10-08-2009, 10:19 PM

So whatever happened to this? I was having a helluva time just following and watching!

BudK · 12-01-2009, 07:35 AM

Hi Guy's . The guitar build & all non essential stuff is back burner . Family issue's and major plumbing repair's put it there .
I hope to get back to this after the holiday's .

Bud

joesdad · 12-01-2009, 07:59 AM

Can't wait to see the finale Bud, I hope all that unfinished wood isn't somewhere getting twisted. Have a great holiday and maybe some day we can hook up on LBI and strum some tunes over a few cold ones..

Julian the woodnut · 12-01-2009, 08:16 AM

I'm on board with this build also. I love this thread!

frankp · 12-01-2009, 10:42 AM

Good to hear from you BudK. I thought you were just keeping us all in suspense for a dramatic finale, but as we all know, life gets in the way of our hobbies sometime. Looking forward to seeing the finished guitar after the holidays. Maybe I'll actually finish mine (electrics are so much easier) up by then too?

Colt W. Knight · 12-01-2009, 09:17 PM

Gorgeous work so far. Interesting choice for woods by the way. I hope you are planning on finishing this guitar in Nitrocellulose lacquer. It will look phenominal when your done. Be aware, building guitars is a life long hobby. You can't stop after just one.

hightide13 · 12-07-2009, 08:22 PM

Oh man! I hope everything is ok.

As a long time guitar player and a woodworking hobbiest this thread is right up my alley. I can't wait to see the rest of the progress.