Official Luthiers Forum!

They seem to be as common as OM's these days, but here's one I'm working on. Needs two more finish coats of lacquer, but it's getting close...

Sitka Top
Imbuia B&S from Bob C via R Labbe in last year's swap meet
Gotoh tuners from Peter's group buy
Remaining bits and pieces from the usual suspects.

First time working with Imbuia, and it bent and machined much better than I expected given its figure. (The maple bindings were more of a hassle.) Second time working with a double m&t neck and I'm extremely happy with the results. The fretboard stays nice and straight and I love being able to string up the guitar and make any neck adjustments and do the fretjob before there's a drop of finish on the body. Plus as soon as it's buffed out you just re-glue the bridge and bolt on the neck and you're done. Almost instant gratification.

Thanks for looking.

Bob K












Sorry for all the pics, I guess I've been saving them up.

Sorry words fail me...

Nice!

Bob, thats one fine looking guitar. I really like the stripe in your headstock.

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

Very Cool. Very well done!!!!!
I am very anxious to see how you like the sound.
Also, I am curious how thick your top was

Thanks
Andy

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Wow! That is one hot looking box! I love that Imbuia!

That looks fantastic Bob!   

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

I like it! Nice peghead, too.

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Mark Swanson
Swanson Guitars
http://www.MarkSwansonMusic.com

Wow, that figure really popped under the finish!
Beautiful work, as well as workmanship.

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Ahh, alas for the edit button!
I meant to say beautiful wood as well as workmanship. Or was that beautiful woodmanship? Oh, whatever... nice guitar.   

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

[QUOTE=Hesh1956] they are getting much more popular at least here on the OLF.[/QUOTE]
It's all Swanson's fault!!!

Your "L" is shaping up nicely, Bob! Smooth work on those top braces.

And another WORTHY instrument to praise on this fourm...  This place could publish a monthly MAG with all of the great looking guitars and the construction tips and jigs that people are building.

That is one beautiful guitar, Bob.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Nice L-OO Bob! Very nice !
Gorgeous Imbuia,

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Wow! I really like that Imbuia!

The grain and color are outstanding!


[QUOTE=BobK] Second time working with a double m&t neck and I'm extremely happy with the results.
The fretboard stays nice and straight and I love being able to string up the guitar
and make any neck adjustments and do the fretjob before there's a drop of finish on the body.
Plus as soon as it's buffed out you just re-glue the bridge and bolt on the neck and you're done.
Almost instant gratification.
[/QUOTE]

OK, you've definitely caught my interest!

Does the “Double M&T Neck” involve some kind of jig?

Robert

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Everything has beauty, But, not everyone see's it!

Thanks for the kind words, guys.

Andy, I did the deflection test explained on the "LINT" forum and started with a thickness of .120. I'd be curious to hear what you started with as well. http://www.lint.org/index2.html

Robert, It's pretty simple. Most importantly, you need to add an extra block (i used mahog on the first and ply on this one - ply is more stable) to your heel block. Cut the usual m&t first to fit the rough neck blank. Then I made a simple router template that keys off the truss rod slot to cut the top mortise (neck and body at the same time). Be sure that your mortise is more narrow than your fretboard - and that it stops well before the upper face brace. Cut a tenon to fit the mortise. Remove the neck from the body, glue and level the tenon. Lengthen the truss rod and or cf slots as necessary. Reinstall the neck and drill hole(s) for inserts and screws. At this point you continue as if it were a regular neck. I'll be happy to show you the details at the gathering. Also, do a search for John Mayes' version of this joint. He uses a tenon only glued to the fretboard, but he probably explains the process better than I did.

BobK

WOW!!!

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice

[QUOTE=JBreault] WOW!!!
[/QUOTE]

Amen to that!

Go Bob, great looking box.

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Great looking instrument! Isn't that Imbuya fun to work with. As a plus, it smells so good.

John

Bob, absolutely stunning wood and workmanship. I too love the headstock.

Ah the smell of Imbuya...it smells a lot like hashish I am told, not that I would know what that smells like

Thanks BobK,

I'll be looking forward to it!

Its always better to be looking at the something, the same time its being explained to you.

Robert

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Everything has beauty, But, not everyone see's it!

She's a beaut, Bob! Great work!

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now known around here as Pat Foster
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Beautiful Guitar!

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Reguards,

Ken H

I picked up some of that Imbuia a while ago. Your's is simply beautiful. I've been told it has an interesting smell when sanding, both good and bad.

Please let us know how it sounds.

Thanks

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Michael Lloyd

“I was born to ignorance, yes, and lesser poverties ...
I was born to privilege that I did not see ... I didn’t know it, but my way was paved” – John Gorka