Falcate braced classical

[charangohabsburg]

Martin, I build my ukes Spanish style but don't do the individual tentellones as they shit me.

I guess this is exactly what Antonio de Torres was thinking too! He used continuous kerfed linings for the top as well (gluing them to the sides before gluing the sides to the top). I think there exist only two Torres guitars with individual blocks: the SE10 and the FE14 (the cardboard guitar).

[kiwigeo]

Martin, I build my ukes Spanish style but don't do the individual tentellones as they shit me.

I guess this is exactly what Antonio de Torres was thinking too! He used continuous kerfed linings for the top as well (gluing them to the sides before gluing the sides to the top). I think there exist only two Torres guitars with individual blocks: the SE10 and the FE14 (the cardboard guitar).

Thanks Markus.....thats useful information.

[liam_fnq]

Martin, I build my ukes Spanish style but don't do the individual tentellones as they shit me.

I guess this is exactly what Antonio de Torres was thinking too! He used continuous kerfed linings for the top as well (gluing them to the sides before gluing the sides to the top). I think there exist only two Torres guitars with individual blocks: the SE10 and the FE14 (the cardboard guitar).

Ok I'll admit it. I met Tony at a pub in Cooktown and he told me how to do it. He was the only bloke in the place drinking Sangria.

[liam_fnq]

Back from a trip to NZ and about to get back to work on the classical. While its a falcate braced instrument, because Im building spanish method I wont be able to follow Gore and Gilets guidelines to the letter. The sides and top will be attached using tantalones rather than the large linings specified by G and G. A compromise may be to cut my own oversized tantalones.......currently doing a bit of brainstorming on this and other issues..

Martin, I build my ukes Spanish style but don't do the individual tentellones as they shit me. I just glue a set of kerfed or solid linings in, level them, then glue the whole side to front and to tail block at once as well as doing the neck slot wedges at the same time.

Are your uke tops domed at all? Although in theory the doming on my classicals isnt supposed to extend right to the sides, in reality it occasionally does and tantalones have to be shaped on a sanding board to ensure good fit.

Ill certainly give your suggestion some serious thought.

My tops are domed from just inside the linings and tail block to just below the lower transverse brace. The dome is built into the solara.

[kiwigeo]

More progress over the last few days. Sides all bent up and laminated solid linings glued in. Threaded splints also made up to take weights if necessary to fine tune mass of the sides. Also added in a patch between UTB and spanish foot.

[seeaxe]

Martin, can I ask about the way the sides are joined to the spanish heel - I havent seen that before. Are you going to put wedges in the final joint or are they temporary?
I like the bindings - they look very neat and tidy - I'm going to try them on my next one.

Cheers

[kiwigeo]

The double wedges will hold the sides into the heel block. I normally use a single wedge but have decided to try the Romanillos double wedge method. The wedges should hold the sides in place without glue but I usually glue the facing sides of the wedges as a bit of extra insurance.

Note in the photos the wedges are both pointing up. In final position the wedges will face in opposite directions and be hammered towards each other until a tight fit.

[Tod Gilding]

Nice Work Martin,I'm enjoying the build.

What are you planning to do with the mass support blocks where they will be glued to the back, tapper them to the same thickness as the Kerfed lining or leave them as they are ?

You wouldn't believe the trouble I had getting allen bolts for my support blocks around here. ended up finding them eventually and stocked up, but it took some searching, I couldn't believe it.

[kiwigeo]

Nice Work Martin,I'm enjoying the build.

What are you planning to do with the mass support blocks where they will be glued to the back, tapper them to the same thickness as the Kerfed lining or leave them as they are ?

You wouldn't believe the trouble I had getting allen bolts for my support blocks around here. ended up finding them eventually and stocked up, but it took some searching, I couldn't believe it.

Haven't given much thought to the mass support blocks where they meet the back lining. What does Trevor do with them?

Did you buy your allen bolts off the net? If I could get your source that'd be much appreciated.

[Tod Gilding]

Nice Work Martin,I'm enjoying the build.

What are you planning to do with the mass support blocks where they will be glued to the back, tapper them to the same thickness as the Kerfed lining or leave them as they are ?

You wouldn't believe the trouble I had getting allen bolts for my support blocks around here. ended up finding them eventually and stocked up, but it took some searching, I couldn't believe it.

Haven't given much thought to the mass support blocks where they meet the back lining. What does Trevor do with them?

Did you buy your allen bolts off the net? If I could get your source that'd be much appreciated.

I ended up getting my bolts at an engineering supplies, But should have got them from Ebay seems to be plenty there.

Not sure what Trevor does with the mass blocks, I just had a look at Build vol 9.6 and it doesn't say there,but looking at the photo's in the books it looks as though he leaves them as they are.

[Trevor Gore]

Not sure what Trevor does with the mass blocks...

I bevel them down to the thickness of the back linings. Various pics in Chapter 12.

[kiwigeo]

Not sure what Trevor does with the mass blocks...

I bevel them down to the thickness of the back linings. Various pics in Chapter 12.

Yep I just noticed same after a quick check in my much thumbed and dust laden copy of your books

[kiwigeo]

F*****ng nightmare glue up. Stupidly hammered the neck wedges in on one side and of course one went through the top. Took a quick look at the top and its not a complete disaster but a lesson for others using the double wedge method....DONT HAMMER THEM IN!

Need a drink

[68matts]

Hope it works out for you Martin.

[kiwigeo]

Trevor's fault.......

[Nick]

Trevor's fault.......

Bugger! Still, a valuable lesson learnt so all's not too bad

Need a drink

May I recommend......


Enjoying this at the moment. Smooth as a baby's bum.

[kiwigeo]

Getting a shot of John Schofield tonight......playing live in Adelaide.

[Nick]

Getting a shot of John Schofield tonight......playing live in Adelaide.

Bastard
Love the Scho.

[kiwigeo]

Schofield concert was great. Warm up act was The Airbenders...also great. Before the show I checked out one of the "meet the maker" presentations. Brian West from Fretco here in Adelaide was showing off his wares...including his first acoustic build. The acoustic was an unusual beast......cutaway steel string with weird falcate UTB, waist brace and two falcate main braces. Between the waist brace and UTB the two falcate braces run clear of the soundboard as buttress braces. Not sure if I followed his reasoning behind the brace design.....seemed a bit minimal for my liking.

[kiwigeo]

Sides glued in and starting on gluing in side splints. First pic is the end result of the wedge fiasco....luckily the damage will be hidden by the fretboard.

[charangohabsburg]

First pic is the end result of the wedge fiasco....luckily the damage will be hidden by the fretboard.

Imagine the facial expression of the one who 150 years down the track will discover the pencil writings after having removed the fretboard for some restoration work.

[kiwigeo]

First pic is the end result of the wedge fiasco....luckily the damage will be hidden by the fretboard.

Imagine the facial expression of the one who 150 years down the track will discover the pencil writings after having removed the fretboard for some restoration work.

The mysterious reclusive Mr F**k...not so famous 21st century maker of classical guitars

Or perhaps the equally mysterious Chinese luthier "F**k Y*u".

[kiwigeo]

Side splints glued in along with solid lining patch around top of tail block. A bit of cleaning up required and then its onto the live back.

[kiwigeo]

The area along the top centre seam between the primary falcate braces has been bugging me for about a week now. On my fan braced classicals theres usually a fan brace sitting over the seam which serves to reinforce same. Think I'll play safe and glue in a few small reinforcement patches along the seam.

[Trevor Gore]

That's what the small diagonal tertiary brace in the lower bout is for...and is currently missing from your design. A couple of diagonal grained diamond cleats will do the job if you don't fancy a brace there.