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My First Guitar Build
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=4541		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  j.Brown [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 5:54 am ]
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The following photos are the result of my class with Robbie O'Brien. My first guitar project of any kind. Mostly made from the LMI standard kit, with some decorative stuff of my own.
I've done some rough carpentry and some very small furniture and general house projects before, but this was as detailed as I've ever gotten with woodworking and its a completely different world.
After many attempts, I am finally somewhat happy with the photos, so I hope they translate well.
Its a pre-war Martin OM style.
Spruce top, Rosewood back and sides, Curly maple highlights...

















I still find it difficult to take photos of glossy finishes, but I think after reading a few articles, I've got a little better handle on it. I didn't have any black background to shoot onto, so this blue sheet had to do.

Its the KTM-9 finish, by the way. Some brush coats and some HVLP coats.

-j.

edit: I'm sure someone will notice, so I'll bring it up myself- The nut is not quite done. That will be remedied in the next couple weeks.j.Brown38732.5922106481
Author:  burbank [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 6:00 am ]
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Wow. Very nice! How did you do the top bracing? How's the sound?

Pat
Author:  j.Brown [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 6:10 am ]
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I started out with scalloped bracing, but the top was so stiff (and I only dared to thin it to 2.1mm) that they ended up a little more like "parabolic" after I took enough material off to get a good ringing tap tone. As far as layout, it is a standard X-Brace with an ebony link on the top of the X.

The sound is very even with a nice boomy mid and low. For a small bodied guitar, it is very loud. It makes my larivee sound dead. I love it. Sad for my larivee now though, 'cuz its been relegated to its case in the other room.

-j.

Author:  j.Brown [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 6:37 am ]
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Hesh,
Thanks. I'm very happy with it. Problem is, that now the bar is high for my 2nd
I think anyone who's been around me during this build can attest that I got it bad. Hooked, addicted, insert your favorite word here ___________.
I'm in...to my wife's chigrin....I'm in. Big time.
My second one is already in the works. Check out "www.buildmyguitar.blogspot.com" for the latest on that little adventure.
-j.
Author:  Bobc [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 6:54 am ]
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j. that's a fine looking instrument. Finish looks great.
Love the headplate veneer and bindings too. Mighty fine indeed.
Author:  Arnt Rian [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 7:03 am ]
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Good job!
Author:  RCoates [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 7:35 am ]
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Beautiful first, or tenth, as someone said. Great looking guitar and really nice finish. Was it buffed out by hand, or..? I really like the Flamed maple/Rosewood combo.
Author:  old man [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 7:44 am ]
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Beautiful guitar, J. I really like that curly maple.

Ron
Author:  Dave Rector [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 7:49 am ]
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Nice job j. If she sounds as good as she looks you have a real winner there! Very nice job on the finish, I've done 13 or 14 and my finish still doesn't look as good as yours does.
Author:  Anthony Z [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 8:32 am ]
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J. -- that's a beauty! Is that flamed maple binding on the fretboard? If so, did you finish it in KTM as well?
Author:  Grant Goltz [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 8:48 am ]
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Hey j.,
Man that looks good Absolutely awesome, and for the first? WOW!!!

BTW, I just finished resawing those streaked ebony billets. Off to take some photos.

Later,
Grant Goltz
Author:  Serge Poirier [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 10:46 am ]
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Very nice job J.,   
just visited your blogspot and it was also inspiring ! I just finished my new side bender and plan on posting pics soon as i am about to start building no 2 as well. Aren't we hooked man!

Serge
Author:  Roy O [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 2:21 pm ]
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Great looking guitar. I like your peghead shape. I wouldn't have thought to cap the peghead w/maple on a rosewood guitar but I like the look.

Keep up the good work.
Author:  Andy Zimmerman [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 2:30 pm ]
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Incredible.
NO WAY THAT IS A FIRST BUILD!!!! TOOO NICE!!!!!
I love the rosette and the headstock!!!!!!
Show some more picts.
Robbie is clear teaching too well.

Simply stunning!!!
Welcome to the club
Andy
Author:  Dickey [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 2:45 pm ]
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Awesome guitar. Which one is J?
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 2:49 pm ]
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Pretty work, and a superb finish. That back looks perfect.

Steve
Author:  j.Brown [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 6:14 pm ]
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Wow, Thanks so much for the kind words. I have to say, with the product I see some of you guys posting, its a little intimidating, but the OLF never fails to welcome.

The finish is System III clear coat finishing epoxy along with KTM-9 applied with a brush and HVLP. The HVLP has a learning curve to say the least.
It IS buffed with a wheel, but I think it could have done by hand if I had the time and endurance. There was an "incident" with the wheel that I stil need to correct on the neck where it grabbed the guitar outta my hands and slammed it into the threaded arbor of the buffing wheel. Rookie mistake I hope.
I believe that the real key to the finish (mine, anyway) was getting a near perfect base with wetsanding all the way through the grit steps and mowing back several times and building back up to an appropriate level, drop filling with CA, etc. This is another area where a great instructor was key, as this is the first finish I've applied on any wood project besides a simple stain/varnish.
From what I've read and been told, you can overdo it with building up layers, but I don't think I got to that point.
Mike Doolin's articles were pretty accurate and helpful, too, as far as the KTM finish goes.

The fretboard bindings are flame maple as well, and I finished those along with the neck with the KTM-9. Only the sides, though, as the tops were left exposed with the ebony.

Thanks again, guys, and expect a boatload more questions as the "Chronicles of Deux" (aka: guitar build #2) progresses.

-j.j.Brown38733.3848611111
Author:  BlueSpirit [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 6:21 pm ]
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WTG J. Very nice job. Would love to hear it.
Author:  Robbie O'Brien [ Sun Jan 15, 2006 11:23 pm ]
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You did a superb job J. I look forward to building another guitar together this semester.
Robbie
Author:  LanceK [ Mon Jan 16, 2006 12:05 am ]
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J. just simply a fantastic guitar! As Hesh said, thats a great looking 10th guitar!

Nice work!
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