Non Identical Concert Guitar Twins

[ozziebluesman]

The 0-18 copy guitar is now getting some attention now. This weekend the back and top braces where prepared. The back is now braced except the join patches. Run out of time today.

Here is a picture of the top brace layout in pencil. The scale length on this guitar ia a bit longer at 24.9 inches. So I virtually used the Scott Antes layout which has a 24.5 inch scale but moved x brace and other braces around to suit. Also shifted the soundhole a little south. The bridge sits better other the x brace too!

The soundhole is 85mm as per this plan but all braces are lighter than the plan at 7mm footprint and 12mm high. The transverse brace is a 8mm x 13mm and the flat brace in front is 2.5mm x 17mm wide. I have shaped some braces to save having to take off heaps later. Not sure if that's standard proceedure! The bridge plate is some straight grained tassie blackwood. That all I had so hope it will be suitable. The top braces need their radius and the top should be good to go. Any comments or constructive advice most welcome.

The back is just 7mm x 12 mm braces

Thanks for looking
Cheers
Alan

[Bob Connor]

I do all the top braces on these little ones at 6mm Alan (including the X)

Height 13mm.

Maybe move those finger braces down toward the bridge plate as well. (I feel that one of their functions is to resist bridge rotation)

Or is it too late?

[Allen]

Finger braces look like they could stand moving a bit south so their ends are closer to the top corner of the bridge. At least that's what I've done on mine with a single finger brace.

The rest is looking pretty spot on to me at this point.

[jeffhigh]

Hey Allan,
Looking good.
I like to put a sheet of paper between the Top/Back and the sanding paper in the radius dish.
Both saves scratches etc an also keeps the grit from being contaminated by a stray glue drip

[ozziebluesman]

Bob: No braces glued down to the top so I can change the finger braces but the X brace is a good fit so will leave it at 7mm. Maybe thin the tone bar down to 6mm do you think? Back bracing glued.

Allen: Thanks for your advice mate I will move the finger braces.

Cheers

Alan

[ozziebluesman]

G'day Jeff,

That suggestion makes good sense as I have already dripped some HHG on one of the dishes.

Cheers

Al

[ozziebluesman]

The guitar building conditions have been ideal here in the far north for over a week now so its been head down and bum up.

I changed the finger brace positions as suggested by Allen and Bob and here is the top all braced up this weekend just gone.

The box was closed yesterday


I opted for a simple rosette again. I used two pieces of herringbone binding and made it a very snug. Too snug and once the glue was applied to the rosette it expanded and the rosette was too tight. In my wisdom I decided to glue up small parts at a time. All was good till about half way round and I broke the rosette ring. Wasn't satisfied with breaking it once but did it again on the last glue up. I have been able to patch it up so it is hard to tell there has been a break but I know its there. I have just bought the Stew Mac rosette jig and the precision router base. Next rosette will be should be a vast improvement on the last.


Very happy with the guitar so far. I've had a several experiences using HHG now and it is becoming not such a daunting task.

Thanks again for your support and interest.

Cheers

Alan

[Allen]

It's looking brilliant mate. That bracing looks the trick too. Wish I had my weekdays free so I could really hook in as well, with this weather were having.

Shouldn't let all the southerners in on the secret though. They'll be wanting to move north too.

[ozziebluesman]

Thanks Allen for your comments. I am pleased with the outcome thus far!

Yes it is good to have the opportunity to be able to work on the guitars every morning but remember while your all finished work at 4pm I've just started at 2pm finishing at 9.30 pm.

Thw weather here at the moment is nothing short of perfect! Lap it up while it lasts aye!

Cheers

Alan

[Dominic]

Alan, Nice work. Is that herringbone binding the wood stuff from Gilet? How did it go bending? I just got some and it feels kind of brittle.

Are you gonna use it for binding the body also?
Dom

[Allen]

Off at 3:30 pm but the light gets pretty poor after 5 and that's about beer-o-clock at my place.

My day job really interferes with my lutherie pursuits.

[ozziebluesman]

Hi Dom,

The herringbone purfling is wood and came from Stew Mac. It bent well and is a little brittle but it was my stupid fault that it broke. I am not sure what is going to be used to bind the 0-18 guitar. Any suggestions greatly received. Maybe some nice figured blackwood?

I inend using the herringbone purfling on the other concert guitar as a inner binding and them bind around the outside to try and give that vintage look. Similar to John How's guitars.

Allen, yes the morning's are the best time of day for building. I am lucky that my day job works nicely with my lutherie aspirations.

Thanks for your comments

Cheers

Alan

[ozziebluesman]

The past few weeks I have been working on the neck for the concert size guitar. Here are a few pictures of the progress.

The slotted headstock is a little different to the plan as the neck blank I purchased was too short in the headstock area. I decided to do a "Gumbie" style slotted headstock and it turned out ok.

The trus rod is one of the Allied rods from the group buy. I purchased a Veritas mini hand router plane and was able to cut a truss rod channel very easily, accurate with the bottom of the slot completely flat. Great little tool. The truss rod is now installed with a veneer patch on top.

The fingerboard has a 12 radius and I kept the dot inlay very simple.

Finally the fingerboard has been glued to the neck. So far so good!


Cheers
Alan

[Hesh1956]

Wow - really nice work Alan!

[ozziebluesman]

Thanks Hesh for your comments.

The neck has been fitted to the body and she's looking like a sweet little guitar now.

The rosewood on the headstock is a little lighter in colour than the fingerboard. What's the best way to match these?

I'm not sure what to use for binding? Would rosewood binding be too much?

All suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks

Alan

[Allen]

I think that the IRW bindings would help tie it together.

Making some good progress while the weather is in your favor. Turning a little hot an humid up here, so it won't be far off for you as well.