Progress on #1, no really

Lillian · Post by **Lillian** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 5:14 am

I have been making a mess in the shop, but I think I've been making progress as well. The top is as done as I'm going to get it, I believe. Its been an interesting experience. Clean and neat isn't as easy as I thought it was going to be. Fish glue is a bear to clean up if you let it dry. This may end up as kindling, but I will have learned from it.

I need to add some tape to the side for insurance, but they are basically done as well.

I guess its time for me to start work on my binding jig.

kiwigeo · Post by **kiwigeo** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 8:38 am

Looking good Lillian. Nice tidy work.

Lillian · Post by **Lillian** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:11 am

Thanks Martin. I appreciate the support. One of the joys of getting a new camera is figuring it out, which I haven't. The lack of focus has allowed you to be kind. Neat it isn't.

It is fraught with issues, but I decided to put it together if nothing else then the experience. If its a dog or it implodes I won't be heart broken. At least I'm doing it and getting something out of it. I spent too much time sitting on the sidelines afraid that I would make a mess of things. Well I was right, I did. But it isn't the end of the world and I'm learning from it.

As soon as I get my thumb out of the splint I'll be back at it.

Paul B · Post by **Paul B** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:29 am

Looks good to me too.

Though, I'd could say it was a little over braced, I could, but I won't. 'cause my first looked pretty much the same as far as bracing, and it sounds fabulous. I'm sure yours will too.

"sitting on the sidelines afraid that I would make a mess of things"

I've always thought that the hardest part about building your first guitar was getting off the side lines. That's why I'll never part with my first, I didn't just build a guitar, I showed the nay sayers and smirking unbelievers, just how they could kiss my ass.

DarwinStrings · Post by **DarwinStrings** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:29 am

Well done Lillian, nice show of determination. I was not as happy as I would have liked to have been with my first guitar although I do still have it 16 years later.

One thing for sure is you are moving forward and if you are not happy with this one then there is the next one, great work, keep it up.

Jim

ozziebluesman · Post by **ozziebluesman** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 12:36 pm

Yep, I look at my first guitar building effort and pick faults in it but won't part with it. My wife asked me recently to leave the guitar to her in my will as she knows how much it means to me! I have carried out her request. I have a small collection of older guitars not made by myself and more of my own builds planned for my kids and grand kids to share after it is time for me to leave the planet.

Your first looks great Lillian. Looking forward to watching this one evolve!

Cheers

Alan

Ron Wisdom · Post by **Ron Wisdom** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:39 pm

Way to go, Lillian!! I am very pleased to see you diving in. I think it looks great for your first effort. I play my first as my regular guitar. The finish is terrible, it's way too heavy, and the neck is too bulky, but it sounds wonderful. Just take your time and you will create a winner, I'm sure.

Ron

Lillian · Post by **Lillian** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:05 pm

Paul B wrote:
I've always thought that the hardest part about building your first guitar was getting off the side lines. That's why I'll never part with my first, I didn't just build a guitar, I showed the nay sayers and smirking unbelievers, just how they could kiss my ass.

Paul, you know, I just might keep this one. Thanks. Well, if it doesn't fly apart I will.

Jim, Alan and Ron, thank you for the encouragement.

Things I've learned so far is do only one task at a time.
The world is better without caffeine. Okay, the guitar is better off without caffeine.

Clancy · Post by **Clancy** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:09 pm

Nicely done Lillian. I bet it feels great to have built this much, no matter what you think may be wrong with it.

To echo everyone else, my first will always be treasured & played, with all it's faults. It's a goal, a journey and an achievement.

Keep at it and enjoy making the mess!
Craig

Mark McLean · Post by **Mark McLean** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:57 pm

Great to see you making such good progress Lillian. Nobody makes a fault-free first guitar (mine had some big errors), but you learn heaps - and in the end that is more important than the actual instrument. Keep going, keep enjoying it, and keep telling us about it!
Mark

Dennis Leahy · Post by **Dennis Leahy** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 3:34 pm

Go Lillian!

I started a guitar, and let it sit for 23 years. That entitles me to a gold medal for sideline sitting. Then, I built one. Whew! Feels good. Keep going, you're doing great! Good for you for getting into the game!

Dennis

Paul B · Post by **Paul B** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:01 pm

Lillian wrote:Paul, you know, I just might keep this one. Thanks. Well, if it doesn't fly apart I will.

Doesn't matter if it does fly apart, you can always build another and stick a clock mechanism in the first - hang it on the shop wall.

You're doing great, keep the pics coming. Kudos to you for getting off the sidelines.

Lillian · Post by **Lillian** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:53 pm

Craig Clancy wrote: It's a goal, a journey and an achievement.

Keep at it and enjoy making the mess!
Craig

I like that Craig. I might just put that in my project notebook or up on my wall. Thank you.

Mark, you are so right. And I knew that before I started, but when you see all the topnotch first guitars showing up at OLF it gets to be a bit more than a little intimidating. So I warmed the bench under the guise of studying. If I read more I'd be better at this. Well, its true sort of. But nothing will teach you more or faster than putting chisel to wood. I had to lose the "mistakes are not an option" mindset and accept that they are my best teachers.

Dang Dennis, I thought 10 years was a long time to wait. Good for you. And thank you.

Thank you Paul. I will figure out the camera and post clearer pictures as things progress.

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:18 am

Hey Lillian, looking good. There is no reason anyone can't make a good first guitar if they apply themselves like you are.

But it is the journey that is important. The doing. The destination simply marks the end of this particular trip.
Keep at it.
Cheers
Dom

kiwigeo · Post by **kiwigeo** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:43 am

Wish I could get my hands on my first build but the muso I lent it to loves it so much he wont give it back.

Arnt · Post by **Arnt** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 12:09 pm

It looks wonderful, Lillian. Congrats!

About the side reinforcements: I like to have them span the whole height of the sides, not just the distance between the linings for fear of creating a weak point between the two. With side tapes, I believe most builders just glue the linings right over them (I use thin wooden slats, Benedetto style), and that is easier to before the linings are glue in.

Lillian · Post by **Lillian** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 2:30 pm

Thanks Dominic.

Thanks Arnt. As for the side reinforcements, that is what I intended to do, but was distracted/excited about actually building that I skipped right over putting the side tapes on first. Issues abound.

Hesh1956 · Post by **Hesh1956** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 11:03 pm

Hi Lillian - your first is looking GREAT!!!!

I think that your bracing looks fine and your workmanship is excellent too. What brother Arnt said about the side supports but I will add that some builders that we know don't use any side supports what-so-ever. I still would use them though.

It brought a smile to my face this morning to see that you have started building. You kept with it and waited a long time to get started so tell us how you are enjoying the building?

Lillian · Post by **Lillian** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 3:41 am

Morning Hesh. Thank you for your kind comments.

It has been wonderfully exciting and frustrating as all hell. This is the third top I've done. I got carried away carving the braces on the first one. The X braces were the height of finger braces when I got done with them. I also learned that two layers of masking tape isn't going to keep a freshly sharpened chisel from cutting deep into the top if it slips. But of all the things I've learned is that I have to force myself to slow down, create a check list AND USE IT. ADD and guitar building do not go well together. So I'm learning as much about myself as I am about building guitars.

Working in a small space is a challenge to begin with. Throw Oscar (The Odd Couple) in the small space with a bunch of small tools and the frustration level can soar in a heart beat. I'm learning to be neater and more organized. Unfortunately those seem to be hard lessons for me to absorb.

Despite the roller coaster ride, I'm hooked and loving it.

Bob Connor · Post by **Bob Connor** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:04 pm

That's looking great Lillian. I'm sure it'll sound fine and I reckon you'll surprise yourself when you hear it strung up.

Rod True · Post by **Rod True** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 3:56 pm

Right on Lillian. That's looking great.

I agree, I don't think you'll be displeased at all with the sound. It doesn't look overbraced to me. The bridge plate does look a little bit big though. You could take 1/4" off the top and bottom edge of it I think and you'd be just fine.

Way to go!

Lillian · Post by **Lillian** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:39 pm

Bob, thanks for the thumbs up.

Ron, the bridge plate is off of a plan set out of Kinkead's book. It's thicker than it should be by about a half a mm. I've gone back in a thinned it a bit more since the picture was taken. Thanks for the critique and support.

I'm still unable to use my right hand much, so things are at a bit of a stand still. I'll post more when they get moving again.

WaddyT · Post by **WaddyT** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 1:20 am

Lillian, that brace carving job looks outstanding to me. I believe you are gong to have a great sounding guitar. Nice work.

Lillian · Post by **Lillian** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:00 pm

Thank you Waddy for the kind words. I'm feeling better about my first effort. So far so good.

The back is done. I just need to sand the braces back a bit to clean up the plane marks.

I may go back and look at the top again. I'm thinking about uncoupling the finger and tone braces from the X brace. The top is super stiff, no defection to speak of really. I know that the bridge plate has a lot to do with that and I'm going to try to thin it out a bit more. I laminated rosewood and maple in the 28' dish. I should have gone thinner with the laminations. I believe that it is stiffer than expected because it was laminated and glued into an arch. We'll see. I'd rather not use mediums on a guitar that I intend to learn how to play on.

Kim · Post by **Kim** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:41 pm

Hey Lillian! Well done!

Sorry to be so long to respond, was away at Playmakers

and it has taken me a while to settle back down. Great work so far Lil, nice and clean, just keep plugging away and before too long it will be a finished guitar the strings will be on it and you will be impressing sweety with how clever you are and maybe even a sweet serenade too.

Cheers

Kim

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Progress on #1, no really

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