Official Luthiers Forum!

I just replaced the rosette in a top that previously had a rather gaudy look to it. The new rosette looks great considering it's my 1st guitar and never inlaid anything let alone worked with shell (besides building sand castles)...

The new rosette sits 0.005" lower than the old one. The top was already thickness sanded with the old rosette to 0.109". I will have to level the new rosette, but, will I have to thickness the whole top to a uniform 0.104"???

I never used a drum sander, nor do I know if I can find access to one...but...are drum sander's that accurate to remove 0.005"???

What kind of options do I have to thickness this top 0.005" with out a drum sander (if I have to thickness it at all)??? How important is the uniformity of the top plate thickness??? There has to be some sort of tolerance on this dimension right???

Thanks for any help you can provide...I have some time until I get to bracing the top...since I am starting my go-deck construction tonight...(never knew that Lowes carries fiberglass Go-Bars...good deal).

Thanks,
JP

Hi JP,
I assume this top hasn't been glued to the rim yet. I would just level
the top in the area of the rosette. You didn't say whether it's a
classical or steel string, but the sound hole area of the top usually
has some sort of bracing, so I wouldn't think thinning that
immediate area by .005" would have that much affect, certainly not
as much as thinning the entire top. Once it's braced, the arching of
the braces will eliminate any "dip" that might be caused by thinning
a small area. Just my thoughts.
Craig

.005 can be taken down with a sharp scraper which is the easiest especially around a rosette.

A belt sander works well for a uniform job over the entire top. Just be careful with it.

Shane

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Canada

JP, a little "elbow grease" would do the job!
take a larger sanding block ( or back a piece of plywood with cork) and littly sand level flush with 150 Grit sandpaper...it works wonders! stay around the rosette and concentrate on that area. you should be fine!

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

[QUOTE=Shawn] .005 can be taken down with a sharp scraper which is
the easiest especially around a rosette.[/QUOTE]

I second that......a good sharp scraper is perfect in this situation. Better
than sanding where there is the problem of sanding dust from the rosette
darkening up the soundboard.

Cheers Martin

Thanks again to all the responses.

I was hoping that I could do this just with a scraper and sandpaper. I just had a hard time understanding how 0.005" non-uniformity would harm the overall sound of the guitar (since there is hand finish sanding that takes place one the "box" is built)

Oh and sorry for not mentioning that the top is not braced or installed and that I am building a SS dread.

FYI:
Guitar S/N 001--Specs.
Sapele Back and Sides
Sticka Top
Indian Rose Wood Fret board, Binding, Graft, and Headstock

I haven't decided on scalloped or non-scalloped bracing just yet.

Thanks again,
JP

JP, you got some good advice above. I bought a PC 6 inch Random Orbital sander. A new piece of sandpaper and you could have this levelled in a few seconds. If I were buying another sander it would be a 5 inch, paper is easier to come by locally.

And one more thing: Scalloped bracing per Martin's specs will give you a great sounding guitar. Secondly, the material you make them from is very important. My suggestion is Adirondack Red Spruce. If you try it, you'll never go back as they say.   

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com