Official Luthiers Forum!

Ok, so I have never built a guitar before, but am really excited. I just ordered an interesting OM kit with a 3 piece rosewood/ovenkol back. Got a great deal on it and am very excited to get started. I have a ton of questions though.

Do I need a mold and is there a simple way to build one with making a 4 layer mdf sandwich?
Where do I get plans for the shape and brace layout?
Can I build a go-bar deck or is that over kill for the first guitar build?

I'm sure many more questions are to come. I'll let you know when my kit comes in.

I'd build a mold - time well spent that can prevent future problems. Not sure what you mean by MDF sandwich. You can make a mold with 3 layers of MDF.

Grellier has free plans on his site for a regular OM without cutaway, you could start there.

Have fun!

Kevin Looker

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

I started in 2006 with a Martin OM cutaway kit, I made a mold from plywood and I gobar deck as I was progressing on the build. Take your time and enjoy the journey, and if you make a mistake leave it to the next day to figure out how to correct it. Looking at a problem with a fresh head makes the repair more possible. You will make mistakes so don't panic.

I just strung up my 13th build so be aware this is an addictive activity.

Fred

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

Sorry, misread your post - I'll blame the screen on my phone.

Anyhow, Robbie O'Brien has a YouTube video on mold making. If you have a bandsaw & a router table, it's a bit easier.

You will need either a go bar deck or cauls when you glue the braces to the top & back. I braced my first 3 using cauls but have since invested in radius dishes.

Kevin Looker

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

What are "cauls"?

Jon, they are pieces of wood that spread the clamping force. If you have the cash, I'd buy a gogood bar deck. Scrounging the parts and working the wood is a pain to me, given the time involved. Gotta decide what your time is worth I guess

If you're planning on any more, a good investment for $100.

_________________
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Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

The back braces will have a 15 foot convex radius. To make a caul for the back braces, I took a piece of 1" thick MDF, ripped it to about 3" wide, & put a 15 foot concave radius on one edge.

Now comes the fun part, you have to sandwich the back between the caul and the brace when you glue it in place, with clamps holding it all together. You can only glue one brace at a time doing this & you need some deep throat clamps too. It's a pain but it does work.

Kevin Looker

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.