Official Luthiers Forum!

Glad the bending went well. I broke a couple of bindings of this stuff, but as I think I mentioned, It was due to some short grain. I don't think it's typical of this species, which my reference book says bends easily.

Cool Hesh! I love it when a plan comes together! That is some very beautiful zoot...

Can't wait to see those complete sides all done!

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

Looking good Hesh, keep it up bro!

Right on!

Man, that is going to be a gorgeous guitar even with a black top!

Keep it up my friend... Wanna race?

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

Lookin' great Hesh!

I can't wait to use my sets of that Tiger Myrtle someday. And mine is flamed too!

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

That looks so cool. Thanks for continuing with the pics!

Lookin' good, Hesh! Thanks for the commentary!

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

Boy, that wood is so gorgeous!

Man that looks nice! I would of been careful bending that too! This one I think is going to be your best yet!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

This one is especially FUN! Keep 'em coming, Hesh!

[QUOTE=Hesh1956]and drill the mold, front and back, for the centering screws.[/QUOTE]

Looks great so far Hesh, but I'm missing something here mate..centering screws?? Tell me more of this thing you call centering screws.

Cheers

Kim

Thank you very much Hesh, that one has been filed in the "must do this little trick" folder

Cheers M8

Kim

I think i'll put the shop remake over on hold and get back to building again, this looks like more fun!

Thanks Hesh, your progress looks great and it motivates me a great deal to follow your example!

Great journal, Hesh...keep 'em coming!

One question:

The back braces were glued on with HHG after being profiled in the 15' radius dish in their respective, individual positions relative to the back.

If we have a sherically radiused sanding disc, why should it matter where the brace is sanded within the dish?

One observation on the need for a centering screw when sanding the rims:

I use a longitudinal spreader as well as 2 lateral spreaders so the blocks are tight and I believe stable. Also, when I sand the back rim, I keep the mold assembly clamped and sitting on a flat surface while the top profile is still flat. That way, I can rotate the 15' dish...it's lighter and easier on my sensitive elbow. I call this "driving the bus" and try to get my sons to help in this operation.

Please know, I'm not at all being critical of what you're doing...just thought it might provide an opportunity for discussion by others to explain their methods.

Please keep this thread going...it's one of the best reasons to be on the forum. Thanks for the effort, Hesh!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Hesh, you owe me a new keyboard. Just drooled all over the thing...   

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"Building guitars looks hard, but it's actually much harder than it looks." Tom Buck

The steering wheel on my bus is quite heavy...I attached a 3/4" ply to the dish to keep it from warping as well as to provide more downward force when sanding.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

[QUOTE=JJ Donohue] If we have a sherically radiused sanding disc, why should it matter where the brace is sanded within the dish?[/QUOTE]
According to knowledgeable advice that I've been given, we want all braces to be vertical in relation to the board as if it were flat. For example, if you shape a transverse back brace in the middle of the dish and then glue it in the lower bout, the top of the brace will lean toward the upper bout (if the apex of the sphere is in the middle of the back, for instance). It won't be vertical. So, you need to sand the brace at a spot relating to its position on the back while holding the brace vertical to an imagined flat plane under the dish.

Why? I'm not exactly sure, except I'm told it makes a better sounding, and better looking guitar. Just one of those little details.

[QUOTE=Hesh1956]There is something so very satisfying and almost immediate in carving a little, looking at it, tapping it next to my ear like a lunatic, and deciding if I want to carve some more, or not.
[/QUOTE]

The life of a luthier is full of those tough decisions, but that may be the toughest of all.

By the by Hesh, I hope you don't mind that I recently copied your mold spreaders John How39023.6424305556

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Hesh, that is going to be one steller looking instrument. If I were in the market for a new guitar, and had the money, I'd pay you big bucks for this baby.

It is going to be soooooooooooo nice. I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it.......

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson