Official Luthiers Forum!

well today i finally started my first kit. its the dread kit from stewmac. i got the neck and tail block glued to the sides so far. while doing this i quickly realized how nice a mold would be to have. it seems like you need 2 extra pairs of hands to get the block,sides,caul, and clamps all together.im looking forward to finishing this guitar. so i can start my next one. thanks for posting all the helpful info on this forum.

Hi Jerr, Welcome to the forum. Take your time and think things thru before you procede and you'll be fine. Don't hesitate to ask questions here and I'm sure you'll get lots of answers some of which may work too. Don't forget to post pictures of your progress.

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

Hi,Jerre,

Welcome to our little corner of the internet. You're gonna have a lot of fun. The first build will be full of twists and turns (rhetorically speaking, not literally!), but like John said, take your time. When you're done, I'd be willing to bet you'll be amazed. Keep us posted!

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

Hello Jerr, And welcome to the OLF

I too, am building my first with a Stew-Mac kit.
Are they instructing you to use the cardboard form?
If so, all I can say, is be very accurate when cutting the cardboard.
It may help to trace a pattern from the plans supplied, that is, if your kit came with one.

Also, like John, and Pat said, you will get all the help you want.
There are a lot of people here, that are real pros at guitar building, and no matter what you can
come up with, there’s someone here that has dealt with it before. So, you’ll always get some good advise.

Anyway, happy guitar building!

Robert

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

Welcome to the forum!

 

Be really precise and careful when using the instructions that came with the stewmac kit. While It is obvious that a guitar can be built using this method, it certainly is not the way good quality guitars are built. I would reccomend that you ge your hands on the 5 DVD set of instructions that was produced by Frank Finnochio to get a better idea on how to build a quality guitar. While his DVD's still leave out some of the finer techniques and tips, it will get you a LOT closer to becoming a luthier than the stewmac instructions. There are still little things that you will pick up on your own or by reading the posts made here as almost everything that you can immagine is discussed here.

Be sure to update us and post some pictures of your progress !

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Reguards,

Ken H

thanks guys.

 this morning after i pulled off all my clamps and inspected everything. it all looks to be going well.  i tried to fit the cardboard cutout mold inside the body and it really doesnt come close to fitting. i cut out the cardboard as accurate as possible and they both match the template very nicely. the mold is too long and too narrow at the lower bout. it looks as if i could force the mold to fit, but it would seem like i would be putting alot of unneccesary stress on the sides. maybe i should make new cardboard mold to fit inside. what do you guys think?

Jerr;
Always do a dry clamping(no glue) on all the important guitar components (they all are important)
This lets you check for gaps and missalignments when they're easy to fix-not with glue all over them or after you take the clamps off.
Take notes of all wood thicnesses and demensions so if you like the guitar you can make a copy.

Welcome to the best addiction there is!
guitarmaking!
Mike Collinswww.collinsguitars.com

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Mike Collins

Jerr,
Another place to get help/answers is at kitguitarbuilder.com which is a website dedicated to kit guitar building. There is a forum and many blogs detailing the building of several kits from different vendors including StewMac. The StewMac kits are covered step by step including lots of great photos, instructions, and caveats. The issues regarding your problems with the fitting of the cardboard form are addressed as well. Check the link below.

CrowDuck

KitGuitarBuilder

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Chris Nielsen
Soquel, CA.

Welcome!

I can second the tip about Frank Finnochio's DVD set. I'm starting my kit from LMI right now and I used Frank's videos to get a hint as to what I was getting myself into.

Welcome and enjoy!

Mike
White Oak, Texas

Hi I am starting out as well and I ordered the video from Stewmac to get an idea of what I am in for. I do question whether or not I want to use there inside mold method. I am thinking I may buy a kit from John Hall and use a outside mold and dishs to sand the top and back rather than Stewmac sanding stick method. I am interested in how you make out with the process. Good Luck!

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Mistakes are mandatory-learning from them is optional. http://www.opensourceluthiersupply.com

well so far the only things i worked on dealing with their mold is glueing sides together and kerfings. next guitar i will def use outside mold. for two reasons i can already see. 1 i think it will be easier to glue the two end blocks in and secondly, when i go to glue the top or back on how am i going to clean up the glue squeeze out? i would suggest the out side mold. i wish i had one.

Don't forget the John Mayes DVD's, a ton of information there and what a cutup.

                  Red

Jerre
Welcome you will love it!
I am very nearly completing my first guitar which was a StewMac 000 kit.

My next guitar (000) will defo be made using a proper outside mold. During construction I failed to get my rim completely sqaure at the neck block end. I.e. when placing the guitar soundboard side downwards against a flat surface the backside of the rim tilted inwards. This meant that the neck setting has taken me all easter to accomplish.

Hesh the dovetail joint is shimmed and tight, the FB is central (phew) and the height over the bridge is ~1/8". The 12th fret has 'krept' towards the tail by about 10mm tho.