Official Luthiers Forum!

This is a build thead that I am sharing over at the AGF, I thought some of our newer OLF members might like to see it as well. I know much of what I am showing has been covered, but it might be fun none the less


This guitar is my E2 model, carpathian spruce top with flamed mahogany back and sides.

In this image The sides are being blocked in to the body mold to hold them true while the top is glued down.



Next image shows the top being glued down to the sides,



Here the top is trimmed to the sides, plus the neck, Ebony bindings and headstock overlay with a custom inlay.





Lastly, the neck is set in place to get an idea of the overall "look" No neck pocket has been cuy yet so its sitting about a 1/2" high. But it gives me the overall feel for the guitar.



Next I will be cutting the binding channels, as well as bending the Ebony bindings (Ebony is always fun so much fun to bend ) I did use Super soft II this time and only cracked 1 out of 6 pieces!

At this point it starts to get a little messy looking. Here I have cut the binding and purfling channels.



I follow that by cutting and installing the end graft. This one is Ebony with a b/w/b purfling.



After the end graft is installed, I shoot the binding ledge with a coat of shellac to prevent the CA glue (which I use to glue down the bindings) from leaching in to the open end grain of the back and top, especially the blond top.



Now I wait a day for the shellac to dry before gluing up the already bent Ebony bindings.




First I do a test fit of the Ebony bindings and also the b/w/b side purflings.


Next, the bindings and purflings are all taped in place using a 3m high tack clear tape. This allows me to locate and close up gaps before I glue it down.




After the glue (CA) has dried I start the leveling process. I use an old scraper and a sanding block to level the bindings.




still quite rough.



The next few images show the back of the guitar after its been fully sanded to 220 grit. Now its time to flip it over and do the top!





Next installment, Top bindings and miter joints.

In this first image the end graft has been trimmed to the proper height to accommodate the side purflings and bindings.



Next I am cutting the miter into the end graft. If you look closely to the back side of the chisel, you can see a reflection of the endgrafts purlfing. Using this reflection I can angle the chisel just right to cut the proper angle.



Here you can see the tiny chip I cut from the b/w/b purfling



Next I take my b/w/b purlfing stock and using the same technique I cut the proper angle in it.



Here I am test fitting my joint.



Here is the final fit.



The rest of these shots are of the guitar after the top bindings were glued on, scraped and leveled.
The body is done now except for cutting the neck mortise. That will be today!

Next installment will be on final shaping of the neck, gluing on the fretboard and also the custom inlayed headstock overlay.

Thanks for looking!









Incidentally, this guitar will be getting a sunburst back and sides with a blond top.

_________________
Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Nice kitty....

_________________
"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Lookin' sharp. Nice work, Lance.

_________________
Mike

"The Dude abides. I don't know about you but I take comfort in that. It's good knowin' he's out there. The Dude. Takin' 'er easy for all us sinners. Shoosh." The Stranger

Mighty fine work and interesting! I also use CA for bindings but never thought to use clear tape. That does seem like the ticket. I Googled 3m high tack clear tape, and got multiply replies with a zellion 3M products. If I might, which one do you use (#662?) and where do you get it?

Thanks,

_________________
Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Great thread Lance buddy that that guitar is going to be stunning!

I never thought of using CA for bindings, what a great idea - Thanks! (we need an emoticon for brown nosing for me to use....... )

The burst going into the ebony bindings is going to be dramatic!

What is the story on the cat inlay if you can share this?

Yep, Its going to be a another beaut Lance!
Good tutorial on the bindings and mitres.
Thanks........

_________________
Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755