First build - split in back due to humidity :-(

[kiwigeo]

Rounding the soundhole has a practical reasoning to it.......easier on your knuckles when reaching in to tweak the truss rod or work on the neck bolts.

[Mark McLean]

Mark
That came out looking great. I am close to finishing my sassafras one that suffered a similar problem. I put it aside for a couple of years and resurrected it just recently. I hope it looks as good as yours once I get some finish onto it. The dark neck really goes well with it - I will have to remember that for a future design.

I hadn't noticed anything wrong with the soundhole, but I agree that a rounded-off edge usually looks good. I like your nice simple end to the fingerboard also. Overall, a very nice aesthetic going on. If it sounds good too then there is plenty of reason to celebrate. I predict that you will be getting into #2 pretty soon and then serious TAS (tool acquisition syndrome) might set in. Cheers
Mark M

[charangohabsburg]

Glad the fix held up well.

I was quite surprised how much the tone developed in the first few hours of playing (it's getting better and better)

Sure. Never tie yourself up on the next tree if a guitar doesn't sound right 30 minutes after having strung it up.

Rounding the soundhole has a practical reasoning to it.......easier on your knuckles when reaching in to tweak the truss rod or work on the neck bolts.

I'd like to point out one practical reason more: not rounded edges get nicked much more easily.

[kiwigeo]

I predict that you will be getting into #2 pretty soon and then serious TAS (tool acquisition syndrome) might set in. Cheers
Mark M

TAS might set in??? TAS _WILL_ set in!!

[blackalex1952]

I have a humidity question. I live in the mountains, the winter RH is 85%++. I have my low RH storage area under a workbench in a cupboard that keeps getting smaller as I try to get below 50%RH. I have a Delonghi cf8 dehumidifier in there as well as a 100 watt lamp or two, but don't seem to be able to get below the 50%. In the summer when ambient RH can get as low as 40% here, averages 55%, the system was fine. So I am open to suggestions...My question is this. Due to outrageous power bills to run this system, I am wondering, if I put another heater in the cupboard and run it on a needs basis until the RH is 40-45% prior to bracing and assembly, HOW LONG SHOULD I HOLD THE TIMBER PARTS AT THE CORRECT RH FOR? A DAY, A WEEK, A FEW HOURS?
Also, how long after bracing using HHG can I remove the soundboard from the go bar deck and return it to the cupboard, given that the go bar deck won't physically fit in there. I need to take the soundboards and braces straight out of the cupboard at 40% then brace them on the go bar deck in the room at 85% then get them back into the low RH cupboard as soon as possible. Is this asking for trouble?

[blackalex1952]

I just checked the Delonghi humidifier spec...it has a 50%,60% and70% setting. Perhaps the thing won't go below 50%? Does any one have any experience with this machine? Can anybody recommend a better system?

[kiwigeo]

Alex,

Let's have some info on your workshop. Any options for bumping up the insulation in same? I insulated my workshop with R3.0 batts in the walls and ceiling. I used to run a small dehumidifier around the clock but I discovered that the shop stayed pretty stable humidity wise during the summer without the dehumidifier running and during the winter I can get the humidity steady at 45-50% with a small heater running on low.

[blackalex1952]

I'll try working on the insulation, at least for the underbench cupboard...Mean daytime temp 12-14degrees, overnight -2!!!Humidity 85-90% this time of year. The shed is bessa block but a bit draughty....-Cheers! Roscoe