sMg Guitars

June 9, 2010

I augmented an OM neck block to accomodate the larger size needed for a dreadnought.

The added piece is oriented with the same grain direction.  It will be trimmed to match the dimensions of the existing neck block.

Spent considerable time flattening the top of the neck and the headstock.  Installed the ebony headplate and will trim down flush with the mahogany once glue sets.

I’m waiting for a designed/constructed headplate inlay.  I’ll determine the headstock shape based on the inlay design.

June 9, 2010

I’ve ordered a 3 degree reamer to properly set the bridge pins.  While waiting, I have shaped the nut and saddle and will dress (level) the frets, then install strings to do final setup adjustments.

June 9, 2010

I may have already mentioned this, but the neck is ready for setting.  Just a little more sanding of the body and a nice polish.

June 8, 2010

Well, the final steps are looming.  The neck is installed, the bridge is installed and the next step is to shape the saddle and nut and level the frets.

June 8, 2010

All components to make Guitar 1001 have been secured.  There are a few design issues outstanding, and can be made later in the process.

Started with constructing the neck from the neck blank.  I will use a stacked heel and reverse attached headstock.  I glued and clamped then chanelled for the truss rod and the graphite support rods.

May 25, 2010

Taped off the area where the lacquer needed removing for neck gluing.

I use a lacquer stripper then scrape away with a razor blade.  This surface needs to be brought back down to raw wood for gluing the fretboard to the soundboard.

Once the surface is prepared, glue is applied, then the neck is bolted on and clamped.

Next, position the bridge and similarly remove the lacquer to allow gluing.

May 19, 2010

Carl, just an update to comfort you.  I filled the hole with koa dust, capped with clear epoxy and let dry overnight.  Filed down, sanded, buffed, and…you can’t tell it’s a hole!  It looks like it belongs there.

Guitar making is just like professional golf.  The good ones are the guys who can recover from a bad shot.

May 18, 2010

Frets are installed and trimmed, tuning machines installed, and neck and body are buffed and polished.  Next step, fine adjust mortise and tenon, remove lacquer on body where fretboard meets, then glue/bolt on the neck.

May 18, 2010

Set the frets and trimmed overhang.

I positioned the tuning machines on the headstock then drilled the tiny screw anchor holes and drilled clean through the headstock on one of the screw holes.  Aaaaargh.  Well, it will appear that the headstock veneer has a small “knothole”.  Damn.  Well Carl, your guitar will have character now.  It was perfect up until today.

May 17, 2010

I finished sanding and buffing the finish and moved on to fret install.

I’m installing up to the 13th fret, dabbing a little water and white glue into the slots and pounding the frets in on the vise. 

I was a bit worried about the lacquered binding and the inlay, but both held up very well under mad hammering.

I installed the tuning machines as well.  I need to devise a secure surface to pound in frets 14 through 20 so as not to flex or break the fretboard overhang.