Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi all. I've lurked on this forum quite a bit, but finally joined as I'm getting the itch the attempt my first acoustic build. Wish me luck. A little background, for anyone interested; I got into this hobby two years ago, when prior to this the only tools I owned where a hammer, a skill saw and various wrenches and screwdrivers. I started with an LP kit and the bug bit me pretty bad. Needless to say, the "shop" has changed quite a bit, lol.
Anyway, here's my current LP Tribute that's waiting for the clear to dry enough to touch up;





Those are just a few of the build pics. And what thread would be worth it's salt if there wasn't a mock-up shot?

Truth is, it's the first build I've not hated too much to share with others, lol.
This really is a lot of fun and I look forward to learning from all you guys and hopefully sharing more successful
builds as they come!

Welcome Eric.

Thanks for sharing some pics. I've built 5 acoustics & one Les Paul. Personally, I enjoy building the acoustics more. Although most would say more work, I think they're easier.


Kevin Looker

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

Sweet. I like the color on the burst

Thanks all. And I guess it's all perspective, but building the acoustic sure seems more daunting to me, lol. Then again, building anything at all seemed rather daunting in the beginning.

I've purchased some Sapele sides already bent, so I will have a little bit of a headstart. I've got a lot of reading to do, that much is for sure. The only thing I'm really struggling with, mentally at the moment, is the angle for the neck. I see how it's desired, and understand why, but is it all cut into the tenon/heel or does the the slope of the guitar encompass it?

Lots of beautiful guitars getting built around these parts, thats for sure!

Not sure how everyone else does it, but I cut the angle of the heel at 89 degrees, then fine tune it with chisels, shoulder rabbet plane & sandpaper.

For me acoustics are less stressful because you build each component, then put them together. You can also take them back apart if needed.
...except for routing the binding channels.

With an electric, I get stressed out routing the neck pocket, pickup cavities & positioning the bridge. One mess up & you have to decide if it's salvageable or time to start over.

Kevin Looker

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

So, if I'm understanding you, Kevin, you just cut 1 degree in the "face" (where it sits against the body), and I'm guessing towards the headstock?

If I can ask one more question; what actually "curves" the top on an acoustic? I know that there are "flat-tops" and "non-flat" flat tops (wow, that's definitely a rookie worded question, eh?), but is it the brace that you're carving to get the curvature?

-Eric

Yes, I make the angle of between the top of the neck & the shoulders of the neck tenon 89 degrees to start.

Flat tops are usually not really flat. They are domed somewhere between a 28 and 40 foot radius. This is accomplished by radiusing the under side of the braces. Most people then glue the braces to the top in a radius dish but some do it on a flat bench & the top will spring back after removing the clamps. Either buy, or see if your library has a copy of Guitarmaking Tradition and Technology by Cumpiano.

Kevin Looker

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

Perfect, and thanks for the book recommendation. I'm planning to head to the book store tomorrow and now I have a title to look for!

Here's some more info

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/NECKSET.html

Kevin Looker

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

Welcome, Eric. Love the LP.

_________________
Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.