Build thread - Blackwood & Bunya Dreadnought

[demonx]

Deep throat clamps arrived today so I figured I'd try them out on the rest of the bracing

[rocket]

Nice
Rod.

[kiwigeo]

Um.....that beefy looking centre seam reinforcement strip running under the tone bars.....I would have just stuck a few reinforcing diamonds along the seam.

[demonx]

Um.....that beefy looking centre seam reinforcement strip running under the tone bars.....I would have just stuck a few reinforcing diamonds along the seam.

It's only about a millimeter or so thick.

I'm going off the guidance of a local a person who has been building for a living since before I was born, so I have to trust his judgement.

In saying that, the book I have here (Cumpiano & Natelson) does illustrate diamonds.

I am doing a few things differently and just experimenting for myself, but I am also following his "suggestions" for the layout and assembly. I'm coming up with my own tooling fixes and styling, but yeah, it's a combined venture. The next build will be different

[demonx]

Started on the brace carving today but ran out of time.

[Nick]

I haven't actually tested his observations,but go along with alot of what he says as being sound and valuable info,but I watched Kent Everett's dvd on his approach to bracing tops e.t.c and he told a story about one of his students who brought a top to him that just didn't sound as lively as he thought it should. The student had used diamond re-enforcing but had left it at about 1-1.5mm high, Kent shaved them down some more and said that even he was surprised by just how much the top opened up by the simple removal of a seemingly small amount.
You can only go on the info you've been given and by a builder you know has been building for some years, but you will learn yourself as you've probably done with your electrics, that (if you keep building more acoustics) each build you will try somethings a little differently until you hit on what you perceive to be 'the' sound you are wanting to achieve. Maybe this is an area you could look at experimenting with on another build and compare, only then will you know whats the best for you.

[demonx]

You can only go on the info you've been given and by a builder you know has been building for some years,.......

Not only this, but I have played several of his guitars, including one which is in my personal collection, so I have a prior knowledge that his "sound" is something for me to strive towards. Add to that I have personally seen his older builds after they have toured the world and know they hold up to the test of time, I feel like I can trust his opinions and knowledge to be solid.

[Solandra]

Can I ask where you got your new clamps??

thanks!
Mark

[demonx]

The timber deep throat ones are stewmac. Screw, not cam. They worked out $25ea after freight and were here in five days

[Solandra]

Thanks I'll check them out.

Mark

[demonx]

Thanks I'll check them out.

Mark

They're not awesome quality or anything and I'd hate to think what would happen if I dropped one, but there is a shortage of affordable deep throat clamps on the market. For the price I paid for twenty of these I'd have walked away from carbatec with four.

[demonx]

Looks like bracing to me - but what do I know??!!

Every picture of bracing I look at is different and everything I read is another opinion, so I went with a standard straight brace with a gentle scallop from the center

[Nick]

Every picture of bracing I look at is different and everything I read is another opinion,

Welcome to the world of acoustic guitar making Alan There are as many different opinions on ways to build a great sounding acoustic as there are Tee shirts in my wardrobe (50+ at last count ). Just build it the way you've been told and you should have a nice guitar at the end of it, experimentation is for future builds should you decide to build more, but you have to have one under your belt to compare with.

[kiwigeo]

Looks like bracing to me - but what do I know??!!

Every picture of bracing I look at is different and everything I read is another opinion, so I went with a standard straight brace with a gentle scallop from the center

Trevor's got a few opinions I'm sure but I've found his books contain mainly facts based on carefully thought out following scientific method.

[jeffhigh]

Hmmmm. scalloping the actual intersection of the x braces, that's an unusual decision. is that really what your mentor does?

[demonx]

Hmmmm. scalloping the actual intersection of the x braces, that's an unusual decision. is that really what your mentor does?

No, he doesn't scallop, except for the standard end curves. His opinion on the matter varies from others and he insists the top choice is more important than the bracing carve. He's not too impressed with my choice of Bunya and Blackwood! In the actual construction/installation of the bracing he's very particular but said just carve it to look nice as long as long as it's started from particular dimensions according to the top choice.

It was just something I added for the hell of it, it's only so very slight it's barely noticeable anyway.

[kiwigeo]

Maybe just my preference but I'd be taking a bit more meat off alot of those braces.

[demonx]

Maybe just my preference but I'd be taking a bit more meat off alot of those braces.

I'll take it around and get it looked at in a week or so. I won't be touching it again until the new quarter sawn back and sides arrive and I get the new matching back up to speed, then I'll focus on the top again.

I'll probably end out taking more off the sides of the X bars and the lower face bars.

[kiwigeo]

Maybe just my preference but I'd be taking a bit more meat off alot of those braces.

I'll take it around and get it looked at in a week or so. I won't be touching it again until the new quarter sawn back and sides arrive and I get the new matching back up to speed, then I'll focus on the top again.

I'll probably end out taking more off the sides of the X bars and the lower face bars.

Yep....keep the height but just shave some of the fat off the sides.....it works wonders on braces and fat b****ds like me

[demonx]

I was curious whether the "bake" stage was really worth the effort, so I did a test with these two pieces using up the last of the flat sawn test pieces is cut

Neither were put into a form, one was baked for the recommended 15 minutes and the other pulled straight out. Both were sat on a flat bench and left to their own accord.

Even though both have are unusable, it clearly shows the bake does actually help it keep shape.

[colburge]

I was curious whether the "bake" stage was really worth the effort, so I did a test with these two pieces using up the last of the flat sawn test pieces is cut

Neither were put into a form, one was baked for the recommended 15 minutes and the other pulled straight out. Both were sat on a flat bench and left to their own accord.

Even though both have are unusable, it clearly shows the bake does actually help it keep shape.

Cool, I will definitely bake.

Col

[woodrat]

Maybe just my preference but I'd be taking a bit more meat off alot of those braces.

I am with Martin here...I would be tapering the lower legs of the X from about 1/2 way through the bridge plate down to nothing at the linings...I pull mine up well short actually, tapered to nothing, but most people tuck them into the linings in the traditional way....but yes less wood.

[demonx]

Test bends are over and I just unwrapped the first of the quarter sawn sides I bought in fiddleback blackwood.

Shape is good, no ripples (thankyou!) and no damage.

I'm really hoping the acid you guys are suggesting is a miracle worker as this stuff has colored immensely, even though I'm using the demineralised water and barely any of it

Is this normal?

[GregL]

Hi Allan,

I'm afraid I can't offer any help, sorry. But I would be interested if you could post what finally works for you at the end of your journey. I have some Blackwood sides to bend in future, it would be useful to know any tips and tricks (I have bent Mahogany and Australian Red Cedar sides with no problems - though that's probably pretty easy timber to bend).

Thanks,
GregL.

[colburge]

Oxalic acid works in no time, you will be right.

Col