Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello all;

I thought I'd ask for opinions here, based on a commission I have.
This guitar will be just a knock off of one of my "OM" models , exactly the same shape and dimensions except reduced in size by 20% or so. Cute huh?
Styled after a Terz guitar and tuned in "A", short scale and wide nut and string spacing. Accent on sustain and treble registers, extra neck angle and tall bridge and saddle height. 5th fret tuning is easy, .012" thru .052" string gauges are requested, and run the tensions up a bit to around 178 lbs, I will no doubt be thinking of a tail piece equipped instrument, (I have had great success with these, and on a smaller guitar they look so nice, IMO).
Already made the forms and jigs, have the woods thicknessed and am about to start it going, but I thought I'd ask everyone here what they would use and all the specifics.
I started a thread here a while back about unique builds, So here we go.
Feed back and opinions on woods and building techniques, i.e. scale lengths and bracing properties, etc.. Let me hear your ideas.

_________________
Nehemiah Covey
www.coveysacoustics.com

Such an instrument would typically have a 21.4" scale length.

I really would question the use of .012" as .009" or .010" would be much better suited to a Terz guitar.
Why the tall bridge and saddle height? Unless it is going to be used only as a slide/Hawaiian guitar. (If it is, by the way, then the saddle would be straight and not compensated). Playing it as a regular guitar with those strings and action would be virtually impossible.

But the customer knows what he wants, right?
The only thing right about those specs is that a tailpiece would definitely be needed, and put in a hefty end block too.

Rod
(Owner of a couple of nice Terz size 5 guitars)

Rod;

I have addressed the issue of .012"/.052" strings and will build for .010/.050" max, . I have this set up and currently underway at a 20.5" scale, 1-3/4" nut . "0" fret, 1.75 degree neck angle for an increased bridge height , (but it doesn't change the action), The slightly higher bridge allows for a better string break angle when using a tail-piece, and some people like the strings up off the deck a little higher, at least I find this true. I can also brace lighter with the tail-piece, but I don't have to make the heel block much heftier, about 10% is all.
This guitar will be maple back and sides and a wr cedar top. Running some numbers made me curious as to others thoughts on scale length, If I were to copy a terz, (or tierce, third) I would stretch the scale to 21-22" but in "A" tuning I like the tensions at 145 or so with the above mentioned string gauges.
So I think I'm right there on the math and details, but feel free to reply with any comments.

_________________
Nehemiah Covey
www.coveysacoustics.com

What you are doing in effect is taking a guitar with a 25 1/2" scale, capoing it at the 4th fret and tuning it up one semitone.
So I think you will be fine with the strings