Build thread - Blackwood & Bunya Dreadnought

[demonx]

So I have decided to build a Dreadnought.

I picked out some pieces of the timber I had laying around, cut up some Vic Blackwood for the Back & Sides, using pieces from the same board for the neck and then a slice of plain Tassy Blackwood for the headstock cap.

I didn't have anything suitable for the top, so I ordered in some Bunya Pine and Bunya Bracing.

Still deciding on how I'll finish up the binding and other finishing touches. I want this one to be a very plain looking guitar, a no "jewellery" build, so I'm leaning towards black plastic binding, but I also really like the look of Tiger Myrtle paired with Blackwood, so I'll have to decide really fast before I can get too far!

Anyway, pic time:

Back and Sides cut from Vic Blackwood:


3 piece Neck blank in clamps:


Starting on the scarf joint:


Headstock cap in clamps:


Bunya top joined:


Headstock rough cut:


Heel stack in clamps:


Back in clamps:


That is where it's at for now, more progress pics to come when I get around to working on it a bit more. This is just a personal project alongside more important builds, so progress will be slow.

[56nortondomy]

I'd go with Tiger Myrtle bindings Allan, i think they'd look good, you can get some from Tim.
Wayne

[demonx]

I'd go with Tiger Myrtle bindings Allan, i think they'd look good, you can get some from Tim.
Wayne

I have plenty in stock along side many other options.

[kiwigeo]

I'd go with Tiger Myrtle bindings Allan, i think they'd look good, you can get some from Tim.
Wayne

+1 much nicer than black plastic

[simso]

Allan,

I know you build electrics, but is this your first acoustic

Steve

[demonx]

Allan,

I know you build electrics, but is this your first acoustic

Steve

Sure is.

[simso]

You will thoroughly love it and hate it at the same time

Steve

[demonx]

Well that has already started!

Building an electric I've done so many times that I can just get stuck into it and get the ball rolling knowing what I have to do pretty much instinctively.

This thing I have to say to myself, the order of processes I use to build an electric won't work here, I have to stop and think and plan and not rush into it.

I'm not exactly running in blind though, I will have a bit if a helping hand in the form if a mentor for this build. It's entirely my build, but I'll get to ask questions and receive guidance and that should get me through it successfully. I hope!

[demonx]

Not much progress on this one as I've been busy with other more important builds, but I managed to rough cut the top and back, slotted the fingerboard and started on the rosette.

[rocket]

Nice clamps
Rod.

[demonx]

Thanks! I'd be nice if I had another fifty of them, but clamps are just so damn expensive.

I just ordered sixty three more clamps today, 3 bridge clamps and 60 kerf clamps. They're all reasonably cheap though compared to the F clamps I like.

[demonx]

A little bit more progress on the Acoustic project today.

This pic is of the rosette test fitting.

[Wayde Christie]

Looking great so far mate

What's the bunya pine like to work with?

Where'd you get it from?

[demonx]

What's the bunya pine like to work with?

Where'd you get it from?

The Bunya...

First impression was when I went to joint it. I ran it over the jointer several times and couldn't get a nice dry join, should have happened in a few seconds, but no. I ended out doing it by hand.

It cut easily, it glued quite and it sanded quite easily.

To be honest I cannot compare it to anything as I always build electrics. I have worked with Huon and Celery Top and I'd say its closer to the Celery Top than Huon, but I worked with those timbers in thicker gauge and different manner so it's not a fair comparison.

Where'd you get it from?

It came from ALS in QLD - pricey, but I couldn't be bothered shopping around.

http://luthierssupplies.com.au/product_ ... cts_id=322

[Wayde Christie]

Good stuff - thanks.

I'm keen to make an all Aussie classical next

[demonx]

Bridge plate in clamps and starting to look at the bracing and center strips

[demonx]

Also took the rosette back a bit to see what it turned out like:

[demonx]

I had a bit of time free this morning so I cut the back strip for the Back Bracing to sit flush.



I've also come to the realization that out of my 100+ clamps, none of them are long enough to clamp all the bracing how I'd like, so it's a job postponed until the twenty new clamps I just ordered arrive.

Clamps. Can never own enough.

[kiwigeo]

Go Bar Deck

[kiwigeo]

Also took the rosette back a bit to see what it turned out like:

That looks nice....

[demonx]

Go Bar Deck

I've never used one and having never used one I was sceptical of the amount of pressure they can apply.

I don't mind buying the deep throat clamps as I've been wanting a set for a while for other purposes anyway

[kiwigeo]

Go Bar Deck

I've never used one and having never used one I was sceptical of the amount of pressure they can apply.

I don't mind buying the deep throat clamps as I've been wanting a set for a while for other purposes anyway

I use a go bar deck for pretty much all my bracing glue in work. It's especially useful for clamping small finger braces and in my case the tiny braces that go under a lute top.

[colburge]

The rosette actually looks pretty good, I normally don't like the look of segmented rosettes, but it works. I like that little saw you have, I'll have to get one of those too.

Cheers

Col

[woodrat]

That tool is Too Cool for School Allan!....must get one!

[demonx]

The saw is just another one of those gimmicky Stewmac things that we don't "need", but since I bought it the thing gets used for all sorts of purposes.

Initially I got it just for fret slots, which it is great for, but so many other times it has come in handy. It's light, sharp and has plenty of clearance. It's just a great little tool to have.

The rosette actually looks pretty good, I normally don't like the look of segmented rosettes, but it works. I like that little saw you have, I'll have to get one of those too.

Cheers

Col

I'm usually not a fan of segmented rosettes either, however I had this image in my head and I knew I could make it work using an offcuts from the neck blank.

I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out, I am afraid that most of the grain will get lost when it's painted, as Blackwood end grain tends to darken up quite a bit which means the highlight curves I spent so long matching up will disappear and only be slightly visible. However I'll know it's there!