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Lamination question
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Author:  Mattia Valente [ Fri Aug 17, 2007 5:59 pm ]
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Quick question:

I've got some wood cavity covers for an electric project (resawn off the back, so they'll match) that I want to reinforce and sheild in one combined action by laminating a piece of sheet metal (steel or copper, glued with epoxy or polyurethane, probably epoxy) on the back. What I'm worried about is the potential for warping; should I laminate a metal sheet between two slices of similar-sized, same species wood, or will simply backing it be ok?

Wood's Khaya, in case anyone's wondering, and this is the guitar it's fo:

Author:  Alain Desforges [ Fri Aug 17, 2007 11:36 pm ]
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Mattia, superb axe! That thing is already screaming 'SHRED!!!'...

I've never done it so take my advice for what it's worth, but since epoxy has no water, I wouldn't be worried about warping.

How thick does the final piece have to be??? If you can spare the time and materials, just double it up to be on the safe side but I'm pretty sure you wouldn't need to.

Is this a personal guitar? What color is that beast going to be?
Author:  Mattia Valente [ Sat Aug 18, 2007 6:29 am ]
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Thanks!

Thickness should end up around 1/8" or so, just covers for the rear spring cavity and control cavity. The thing I'm worried about is expansion differences; wood will move, metal, less so, so I may just go for wood on boths sides just in case. Easy enough to leave little more than a veneer on there.

And no, it's not a personal guitar; I'm a regular ol' righty, me. That one's for my girlfriend's brother, who's a bit of a metalhead. It's going to get a red-to-black burst eventually.

Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Sat Aug 18, 2007 2:09 pm ]
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Mattia-- great work so far!
Say, could you just epoxy some type of copper foil on the back of the cover? Something so light that expansion rates wouldn't be a problem?
You can get that in the Netherlands, no?
If not, you could pound some pennies r-e-a-l thin, and stick 'em on there.
And just charge more.   

Keep us posted,

Steve
Author:  KenH [ Sat Aug 18, 2007 2:49 pm ]
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Nice axe Mattia!  What knd of pickups are you planning for the beast??  humbuckers I hope


 
Author:  Mattia Valente [ Sat Aug 18, 2007 5:28 pm ]
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Steve: strength is also part of the issue; I'm not sure I trust mahogany to take much/any abuse, and this is going to be a gigging instrument. Although I suppose .3mm (.011") copper or brass shouldn't affect things too much, if glued with a slightly flexible epoxy. Will make a test sample and hang it up somewhere wet.

Ken: humbuckers, obviously. DiMarzio DropSonic and an Evo, I think (he supplied them). I don't usually build pointy guitars - this is actually my first - but it is kinda growing on me.
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Sat Aug 18, 2007 5:32 pm ]
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Mattia, I did a cavity cover w/ 1/8" mahog (which matched the body wood) laminated to some really thin plywood, and the two together were quite stiff.

Just another thought...

Looking forward to the "color" shots!

Steve
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