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Another first time builder here. I'm hoping to make this a completed box this weekend. A special thanks to John Hall, Robbie O'Brien's DVD, & the OLF here.

A few complications here & there, but so far I think I've cleared the hurdles. It's a Martin Kit from Blues Creek. A Deep-Bodied OM (4.7" deep at the tailblock), w/ Flame Maple binding. The fretboard was already inlaid w/ the hexagons. Although it came w/ maple binding for the hdstk, I am not sure if I am going to bind it. What do you think? I'm already sweating the binding of the body...

A new digital camera is on the list, Please excuse the
mediocre picture quality:

Aw c`mon, Rich. IMHO, if you didn`t bind the headstock, it would look like something was missing. Might as well follow through with that nice work. You`ll probably kick yourself if you didn`t.
Coe

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Awesome work Richard, love the inlayed neck and rosette, neato inside the box too! keep it up bud!

Serge

Great work for a first build

If you can manage the binding on the body then Im sure doing the
headstock is well within your capabilities.

If youre still apprehensive then do up a dummy headstock with some
scrap wood and a few layers of inlay. I thoroughly recommend dummy
runs if possible for first efforts. My first rosette inlay was done after 3
dummy runs on bits of scrap spruce.

Cheers Martin

The only problem may be if the fb is glued on the neck. You will have a hard time routing the headstock near the nut.

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[QUOTE=Rod True] The only problem may be if the fb is glued on the neck. You will have a hard time routing the headstock near the nut.[/QUOTE]

Rod...The neck is not glued on yet. It's just stuck on the 2 locating pins. Fretting the bound neck turned out to be way easier than I feared. I radiused it and then fretted it on a little jig that held it in place. The fret end nippers from Stew-Mac are way cool...

On binding the headstock, do you bend the wood binding to fit, where the hdsk curves-in towards the nut, or mitre it? The binding has a blk/wh/blk laminate on it already.
Also, at the top of the hdstk, the corners are slightly rounded, do they need to be squared off first?

VERY NICE RICH!! Keep up the good work.

[QUOTE=RichB] On binding the headstock, do you bend the wood binding to fit, where the hdsk curves-in towards the nut, or mitre it?[/QUOTE]

Most people (I think) miter at the wings. looking at the pictures, you could just make the binding one piece, bend at the top of the headstock than a small piece mitered at the wings. Just requires a small bolt, heated up to be the bending pipe. Of course you will need to back the binding when bending but it should work out.

There are some pics of bound headstock in Cumpiano's book, don't know if you have it or not.

Just give it a try (bending that is) before you route the channel, if you don't like how it's turning out, save it for the next guitar.
Rod True38779.5049884259

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"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

Wow. Ive never seen a "through neck" going through an acoustic guitar Very cool!

Great fun, this luthier business, eh? Your first looks great. I did a kit for my first and didn't have all the neat opportunities that OLF affords. You are truly blessed!

Looking forwar to seeing more in process pix, and the finished guitar too.

Rich,

I see you wisely bought a form from John too. Looks great so far. You're going to have yourself a fine instrument - the first of many!

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Looks to me like you are doing a fine job.

I would bind the head stock or maybe just add a purfling line. I like that look.

You are right about Binding. It is white knuckle time. It won't be bad if you plan carefully and take your time. Don't rush any part of it.

Good luck and let us know how it is going.

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Rich, I always just bend the binding around that gentle corner. It works, looks cleaner and is definitely easier to accomplish.
Hope this picture isn't too large.





Macassar overlay, maple binding.

SteveSteve Kinnaird38781.9635532407

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Thanks Everyone!...Yes, that looks very nice Steve. Very clean looking.

I will dig in and go for the hdstk binding after I tackle the body binding. I was thinking that I would have to bind it w/ the same stuff I did the fretboard with, but it's too thick and has a blk/wht purfling attached to the bottom side of it and looks to be a little too much. I will have to pare it down or use something else for a thinner look.

Originally, my wife had bought me a Martin Mahogany Laminate kit as a gift. However, knowing that this was going to be a challanging endeavor as a first time build, I didn't want to go through a long, arduous project and come out in the end...w/ a laminated guitar. That's when I returned it and got this one from Tippie. Now, I can see why I should of maybe gotten a lesser one to practice on. OTOH...I am immensely enjoying all this and will persevere till I have a completed guitar, and then start another...

Question: Is it OK to open up the Dovetail now, before I rout & bind the body. I would like to trial fit the neck to see where I'm at?

Glued-Up Box:

RichB38781.9979050926

[QUOTE=RichB] Now, I can see why I should of maybe gotten a lesser one to practice on. [/QUOTE]
It's been said that beginners should use better quality wood, because then they're more likely to get a decent sounding guitar even if their workmanship isn't the best. It takes a lot of experience to make a really good sounding instrument out of inferior wood, so don't feel too guilty, Rich. Happy luthing!