Official Luthiers Forum!

David

WOW !!!!

Joshua,
Yes, I am using the Solera which creates a 5mm "fall off" at the back of the domed top.
In order to center the side inlay I started with parallel cut sides, measured 5mm in from the flat "top" edge at the back end to establish the actual top edge once trimmed, and, measured out the butt depth measurement (102mm I think), I then halved that measurement to locate the centerpoint, however I minused 2 1/2 mm from the back "half" to account for the back thickness to establish the actual back edge. Same for the neck end but of course not allowing for the "fall off". All the measurements were noted on my plexi side contour template.
I cut each side in two lengthwise along the "centerline' and once the inlay was sandwiched in, I used my plexi template to re-establish the top edge and contoured back edge.
I did reinforce with slats (a la' SE 114) on either side of the waist as well as gluing in a strip of cloth reinforcement tape inside along the length of the inlay.
Best!

That's a real beauty David.
I always find the center inlay for the side (FE08) very attractive.
How did you do make the spiral tiles?

Sen

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Sen CL Goh
http://senguitar.blogspot.com

Wow! stunning, absolutely beautiful work. I love the meander and wheat inlay, must have taken a lot of patience. V-joint and FP look flawless, amazing guitar. I also like the choice of tuners, black mop? Like Joshua you set the bar very high for classical makers.

David, that is stunning and the side inlay really sets it off. I've always been a fan of that look.
The old Martins with that inlay look great as well, how do you suppose they accomplished that task, a method similar to yours? I know you've worked on some old Martins with that feature.
Thanks for posting the great photos. Any plans for #100?

Best
Bruce

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Bruce Herrmann
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

Thanks Bruce,
The similarity between old Martins with the side inlay and Spanish style guitars with it is far more than a coincidence.
Martin essentially was copying Spanish guitars starting around the 1840's and these guitars often had pieced sides. I have two old Spanish guitars, one from 1839 and one from 1856 ( a De lorca and a Recio) and both have the side stripe(s) not to mention extremely "Martinesque" peg heads, and plantillas. The 1839 De Lorca is significant because it shows these features clearly at a date when Martin was still in NYC producing nothing but the Vienna style guitar.
I imagine they made these sides just as I did, laminating the inlay between slats and bending on a hot iron with a minimum of moisture added.

David, thanks for that reply, it makes me wonder- trying not to drift to far off topic here- have you ever seen a Martin from the factory in Penn. where they used this technique on the sides?
I think I recall 1840's gutiars with this feature but can remember for sure. I doubt it was carried on much into the 1850's but I could be off on my timing....
Bruce

_________________
Bruce Herrmann
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

So lovely and breathtaking, David. You demonstrate the highest expression of this craft.

Thank you Gary....

Bruce, here is a good example!


http://www.capy.com/1840/index.html