The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary

View Poll Results: 1st Build Floater Suggestions

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  • KA Handwound 12-pole PAF humbucker

    15 60.00%
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Posts 351 to 375 of 419
  1. #351

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    Or... you could forget about the electronics and guard for the time being, and finish the instrument as a pure acoustic - just in time for your baby's first 'berçeuse'!

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  3. #352

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    Went over to the shop last night after work to dive towards the big glue-up. First, thing I made a fresh batch of HHG as it would take 30min to absorb and another 30min to warm up to temp.

    I started out on the guitar by checking the fit as is. I felt like it was pretty solid, but needed to slide it a bit deeper as the next extension wasn’t making great contact on the top plate. Unfortunately, I don’t have many pics as this is hard to explain via pix.

    I was traumatized with messing up the dovetail lock. I shaved a little bit from the shim using a sanding stick double-stick taped with 400grit. I checked the fit and it may have gotten a bit tighter, but didn’t loosen up the joint. I checked with carbon paper, and it seemed to be held up by an area up along the top part of the neck extension. For this, I used a chisel (minimally) and sandpaper intermittently. I didn’t want to lose contact with the top, and risk having to shave the shim and loosen the dovetail.

    I kept doing this process slowly (with 100grit and 400 grit) and checking the fit. There was no major drop onto the top plate; however, at one point it was pretty close to having decent contact and I tested with a dry fit with the Bessey clamp.

    Finally, I decided to pull the trigger and glue it up. I first set everything in place and did a dry run with how I’d apply the HHG in the mortise and on the dovetail, and how I’d move the parts and put the neck and body together. Once together, Steve would hold the body and I’d place and tighten the clamp.

    When ready, I checked to ensure the HHG was at the right consistency:
    First-timer Archtop Build-f9e526c6-2b48-4431-9a9a-666a1f5c00bf-jpg

    And at temp:
    First-timer Archtop Build-1646f329-325e-43c9-a50f-8ede2f2b9d3a-jpg

    Next, I final sanded the distal end of the neck extension with 220 grit and 400 grit and smoothed the bottom edges as this was the last time it would be accessed- here’s the final look:
    First-timer Archtop Build-5474d1c5-883d-4c4b-a973-1548fa45b4b5-jpg

    Then got everything into place:
    First-timer Archtop Build-ecba8e28-0db3-459f-9902-9fd575f14cd0-jpg

    Slathered on the glue and clamped it hand tight!:
    First-timer Archtop Build-0fb5618e-1b9e-4de6-8f64-a16d5b9d1b9f-jpg

    As seen above, I duct taped a 2x4 block so the frets would press in and a folded shop towel between the clamp and back plate.

    Here’s another pic of the fit:
    First-timer Archtop Build-08e0d886-d831-40ae-99c4-8185efb8d7f3-jpg

    Prior to gluing, I had sanded the neck heel area to fit right at the meeting of the side of the cutaway. This came out well- here’s its fit:
    First-timer Archtop Build-c87b0664-8830-4c9c-bc9a-00180b4c60ea-jpgFirst-timer Archtop Build-e62706c5-3ee0-401f-b7c1-2ed402abbf03-jpg

  4. #353

    User Info Menu

    Here is right after clamping and starting the 24hr cure begins:
    First-timer Archtop Build-96f3f09c-2c27-4f4e-a968-81629897cb3b-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-13d5f37c-04ab-4501-93cc-0736f2da4d0b-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-8616335b-d76a-4924-a171-bf067c3b1014-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-2811047c-7cd3-4cd0-a328-89e585cb7d49-jpg

  5. #354

    User Info Menu

    What will you call this model? You could use your name almost as is: 'Sbeishliner'. Or something that suggests a breezy airiness, like 'Mistral'; although Epiphone already has a 'Zephyr'. Or dances (I'm thinking ahead to a whole series!) that evoke classical connotations, e.g. 'Pavane', etc.

    Now, I've thoroughly pondered the Baby vs Luthiery conundrum, and find myself willing to make this selfless sacrifice: I'll keep the guitar safe while the baby emits dangerous babyfumes, grows into an ambulant destruction unit, and generally saps the energy you need to install electronics and guard; so just send it to me for the next 18 years...

  6. #355

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    No signs of labor yesterday AM, so I decided to hold off on cutting the nut slot as the nut files I had ordered weren’t the right size. So, yesterday I re-ordered the right ones, which should arrive by Wednesday.

    I took home a big eraser, 150/220/400 grit sandpaper, and few sanding blocks to do the finish sanding at home.

    First step will be to try and remove the carbon and ebony dust marks with the eraser.

    Next, I’ll try to steam out any small dents or depressions, and raise the grain a bit. After it’s dry, I’ll start to finish sand.

    Here are some angled pix from after I got home with the axe:
    First-timer Archtop Build-c8c65063-6e24-4fca-8008-bde6e8edc26e-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-94596c2f-6f68-4080-b3db-15a41f9520bd-jpg

    First-timer Archtop Build-a81d37c3-4fdb-4545-ad62-033be1478bf5-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-0c74b0e8-4e12-4dc6-96b2-8fe4da93d832-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-8b70d194-f52a-4f1f-9f20-84a9fcf481a2-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-7c96e258-cab1-4d27-95c4-70b887825a01-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-0ad7ed8e-66fb-4374-a200-63593247ce9d-jpg

    It’s definitely on the neck heavy side and doesn’t balance on my leg, but oh well- looks cool as hell!

  7. #356

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    Took advantage of the nice weather in Virginia today and decided to work on the guitar outside on the deck.

    I went over the whole guitar with a couple different erasers (Pink Pearl and a random white one) to remove some of the carbon and ebony dust marks. This worked pretty well, and strangely even removed some of the blue Sharpie rub-off. Here it is afterwards:
    First-timer Archtop Build-464d8b18-39ed-43b1-89a4-6a3209a9e688-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-29000761-67f0-4cc8-ac96-2125c47ac4e9-jpg

    Cleaned up pretty nicely.

    Next, I decided to do a couple rounds of steaming out some towel dents from the top and back glue-up and other marks from the build process.

    Here’s my setup- iron and wet shirt rag:
    First-timer Archtop Build-01b6a275-47b2-4275-aa7a-0becc0b40383-jpg

    The following are some photos of the marks pre-and post- 2 steam treatments. Kept them together for easier comparison.

    Compression from fitting neck/body joint while neck extension was full:
    Pre-
    First-timer Archtop Build-67d609f6-316a-4a7a-994f-cc471d7a3acc-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-9e07fb06-e6ff-483c-be1b-567748cd1a36-jpg

    Post 1st-
    First-timer Archtop Build-412ca361-adf2-4490-89f8-0820d2468603-jpg


    Post 2nd-
    First-timer Archtop Build-1aa06218-3d49-49a1-9a7d-a056ccb2e5c5-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-e28706f9-bc75-4dde-a240-ca696fb557d2-jpg

  8. #357

    User Info Menu

    Pre-
    First-timer Archtop Build-e3077f61-9d32-465b-a51c-f1956bf9d10c-jpgFirst-timer Archtop Build-12270cd2-27d5-42f6-a85e-1012898deb22-jpg

    Post 2nd-
    First-timer Archtop Build-b9fdbb5e-0593-48fd-8a74-4472f45096d0-jpg

    Pre-
    First-timer Archtop Build-05fe64f4-4c56-4186-9119-287f92001782-jpg

    Post 1st:
    First-timer Archtop Build-6a9ea836-3b7d-4e5f-9df8-0594948deebc-jpg

    Post 2nd:
    First-timer Archtop Build-ae4cf7d6-efcb-4f66-89cb-46552d70c906-jpg

  9. #358

    User Info Menu

    Pre-
    First-timer Archtop Build-8335f0f2-426e-410c-a73e-eeaeddfb419c-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-36af5111-1bd9-4d19-8fb8-7a5c7d4d3f2c-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-c11c34a0-3431-414e-8335-e72f8a480250-jpg

    Post 2nd-
    First-timer Archtop Build-17e51e1e-aa14-427c-b9a0-f46622d1675c-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-b0b22b95-687e-4e37-b074-d31d1dbb32c4-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-a0411188-1d29-4d49-a1ba-043b31346665-jpg

    Shows how useful steaming blemishes on wood is before trying to just sand it out!

    Next up will be to refine the protruding binding transition from cutaway towards the neck, followed by finish sanding:
    First-timer Archtop Build-177269e2-00fa-43b8-9a68-895124f18dd8-jpg

    No baby sightings yet!

  10. #359

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    Brought the guitar back to the shop last night to get the nut slot cut in the head stock.

    I am using a GraphTech Black Tusq XL PT-3000 nut blank, and bought 2 just in case I messed up on the first one. It measures right at 1 11/16" (same as my neck) and is 3/16" thick.

    First, I decided to check the thickness to ensure I wouldn't over cut the slot:
    First-timer Archtop Build-img_6103-jpg

    Next, I marked the line when the full blank was in place (the 3/16"):
    First-timer Archtop Build-img_6101-jpg

    Then, I decided to use a 1/8" setup block to mark a cut line. This would leave me 1/16" cushion to creep back to the 3/16" line with a file (just in case the saw cut would go haywire or it wouldn't be parallel to the edge of the fretboard end):
    First-timer Archtop Build-img_6102-jpg

    Then, I used a marking knife to scribe a cut line at the 1/8" mark as a kerf to start the saw cut:
    First-timer Archtop Build-img_6104-jpg

    Then set my saw directly against the fretboard edge:
    First-timer Archtop Build-img_6107-jpg

    And made the first cut down through the ebony to the mahogany:
    First-timer Archtop Build-img_6106-jpg

    Repeated the 2nd cut at the 1/8" kerf mark:
    First-timer Archtop Build-img_6105-jpg

  11. #360

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    After getting the cuts down to the mahogany, I used a 1/8" chisel and small file to create a clean cavity.

    Here's right after finishing the saw cuts:
    First-timer Archtop Build-img_6108-jpg

    Here's following the wood waste removal with the chisel:
    First-timer Archtop Build-img_6109-jpg

    Next, I taped off the headstock veneer:
    First-timer Archtop Build-img_6112-jpg

    And after taping the first fret and cleaning up the bottom cavity with the file:
    First-timer Archtop Build-img_6117-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-img_6114-jpg

    Next, I started shaping filing back towards the 3/16" line. I didn't really take picture of this part, because removal was so minimal that it was hard to appreciate in photos.

    However, I got about 1/32 towards the line, and I decided to thickness the actual nut by sanding it down, instead of risking over sizing the slot and getting in trouble when it came time to fit it.

    Next, I started to thickness the nut and shape it once it fit into the slot. In doing so, I noticed I filed down into the mahogany a hair below the mahogany baseline. Once it came to shaping the bottom of the nut, I realized how difficult it is to get a good fit on the headstock angle. It was good I ordered 2 nuts, because once I got the first nut to thickness, it ended up becoming too thin to fit tightly after I worked to shape the bottom angle.

    So, I opened the 2nd nut and ended up getting my final fit to look like this:
    First-timer Archtop Build-img_6125-jpgFirst-timer Archtop Build-img_6126-jpg

    Before leaving for the night, I used a pencil sanded in half to mark the radius onto the nut:
    First-timer Archtop Build-img_6121-jpg

    Tonight, I'll file the top of the nut to the line to shape, marking the string slots using the StewMac string spacing ruler, and file the starter slots to string it up!!
    Last edited by sbeishline; 02-04-2020 at 05:29 PM.

  12. #361

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    I came into tonight with little experience with woodworking and wood tools, over a years time, and countless hours building this archtop. Needless to say, I was excited to hear this instrument and see how it felt.

    I had left off having marked the nut with the radius, and needing to remove very little:
    First-timer Archtop Build-d73477a6-5466-4129-9819-f43803310a24-jpg

    And here’s after a short minute or so sharping with 150grit sandpaper:
    First-timer Archtop Build-105108f9-b72d-4258-9740-52d16f326187-jpg

    Next, I replaced the StewMac NoJak end pin to hold the tailpiece:
    First-timer Archtop Build-9392dd24-545e-4b7b-9515-6a63ccd1a3e9-jpg

    Then, I set the nut back in its slot and using a ruler, I marked 1/8” in from either end for the high and low E strings:
    First-timer Archtop Build-c668be20-fcfc-4e2d-b294-dafbfff13b22-jpg

    Then I used the StewMac string spacing ruler and marked the slots remaining slots:
    First-timer Archtop Build-a693b895-5da9-4f1f-bcd1-8426517e2f3f-jpg

    I mistaken bought the larger size nut files because they were on close out from Grizzly, and recently received the right ones from Amazon. Here’s the lot:
    First-timer Archtop Build-fad3a178-374d-4e03-a445-e179ee2ffdd3-jpg

    I typically use D’Addario Half Round 11s. However, I had a couple packs of 10s laying around and knowing I wouldn’t have these on long, I used these.

    I started using the 0.010 file for the high end and .046 file for the low E slots - I angled down towards the headstock and only made small slots to register the strings:
    First-timer Archtop Build-4647e701-2ca2-4068-aeb2-d83ecc7beb56-jpg

    Then, I rechecked to ensure I was on target:
    First-timer Archtop Build-4b1d064d-5bbf-44d5-a794-b6b94068069e-jpg

  13. #362

    User Info Menu

    It was finally time the time I had been waiting for!:
    First-timer Archtop Build-0cbd2515-758b-4850-84f8-8dedb2036bdf-jpg

    Here’s the start of the first string:
    First-timer Archtop Build-57a409ae-39cd-4952-a297-0c27c98e66c1-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-b7bf836b-b62d-46ec-84dc-8a9793145c9b-jpg

    Then strung up both E strings:
    First-timer Archtop Build-e609efa7-d649-4995-8fd6-0828387f5e93-jpg

    And tuned to pitch:
    First-timer Archtop Build-e7463a92-71b4-48a0-9a6c-8dc197e99b52-jpg

    Time to hear the first notes....
    Last edited by sbeishline; 02-05-2020 at 12:08 PM.

  14. #363

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    First notes:



    Both E strings:



    Needless to say, I was more than happy with the sound. It’s certainly a full, woody source I couldn’t have imaged in 1000 years I’d create. It’s definitely a bit less warm with thin strings and the T-O-M bridge, but it still projects to my satisfaction.

  15. #364

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    I continued making starter slots for the remaining strings 2 at a time to keep the tailpiece balanced:
    First-timer Archtop Build-df27b7ae-c3c1-4695-a7f1-92db59afbf3b-jpg

    And starting the 6th and final string:
    First-timer Archtop Build-c785f98d-0866-4f32-9437-2700ea494eec-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-3dd06ff4-e094-4abe-a26c-f82bc84305f1-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-8957a25e-6d9b-48c7-a505-3aa4bea46e0e-jpg

    Fully strung!
    First-timer Archtop Build-c4136565-7c2b-4b99-bb16-3e9b9122c649-jpg

    Here it is in functional form:
    First-timer Archtop Build-5f18c4bc-1e50-4c32-b9ca-22249425e49a-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-8f1f1216-8fde-4ab6-ad03-609fb32d9761-jpg

    Wowza. Words can’t describe.

  16. #365

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    After I took some pictures, I started to get the strings up to pitch. When doing so, the strings kept going flat, as expected. I didn’t want to bend them to stretch them in, because I hadn’t created any notches in the T-O-M saddles and the nut slots are shallow:
    First-timer Archtop Build-b5df2fa4-3ba9-4160-8e4c-00d7a3007ffa-jpg

    And then, the dreaded happened- I heard an unhappy noise. The ebony saddle loosened and lifted up from the cavity.

    I must say, for knowing jack about making guitars and having done zero setup on the initial string up, the playability was almost dead on. Low action and the the notes and chords that I did play, heard no buzz. I’d say minimal skill and pure luck:
    First-timer Archtop Build-2b99ac48-b446-42ad-8c45-363a62dfe257-jpg

    In regard to the saddle setback, I realized I hadn’t tightened up the adjusters on the cord, so there was probably play until the tension built up as I tuned. That was probably one part. The other contributor aside from my initial fear of the shallow cavity was the glue. It appears that I could’ve flattened the floor of the cavity and used more glue:
    First-timer Archtop Build-08133d90-5dbc-4cd4-b739-55cf653c5cee-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-ffddb775-77f7-4f91-b535-641ea39ba37b-jpg

    Going from such a nice playing and sounding introduction to a broken guitar, feels like winning the lottery and waking up and realizing it was just a dream.

    That being said, the setback could’ve been much worse. It didn’t pull up any wood fibers or break in any way. Having a guitar of this level of complexity that plays any bit normal is a huge relief. I’ll chalk this up to a learning experience and think about how I can get this resolved, and finally get this guitar finished and completed.

  17. #366

    User Info Menu

    Welp, the universe provided a gift for my current information void.

    I dropped an email to local, classically trained violin luthier, and he responded with a very nice note and provided the following:
    First-timer Archtop Build-saddle-physics-jpg

    Once the shaping is corrected, it should hold in place even without glue.
    Will hopefully be shaped and restrung this evening for sounds and tunes of celebration.

    Fingers crossed.....

  18. #367

    User Info Menu

    Quote Originally Posted by sbeishline
    Here it is in functional form:

    First-timer Archtop Build-5f18c4bc-1e50-4c32-b9ca-22249425e49a-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-8f1f1216-8fde-4ab6-ad03-609fb32d9761-jpg

    Wowza. Words can’t describe.
    Bravo! That must be an immensely gratifying feeling. It's beautiful. I won't listen to any sound trials until you play the first chords; that's the advantage of being a mere onlooker. Am super-curious already.

  19. #368

    User Info Menu

    Following the last post, I went to the shop after work to shape the ebony on sandpaper and see if we could get the string tension to hold it in place.

    To do this, I first wanted to lower the overall height of protrusion over the top plate. I decided I could do this without routing lower into the saddle mortise - getting beyond 50% through the top plate made me nervous it wouldn’t leave much for the saddle to sit on.

    To sand the bottom of the piece, I held it with the long side flat against a small piece of wood to keep it even:
    First-timer Archtop Build-ec6f7b6b-99e0-4c9b-b785-6de4e9be4304-jpg

    After all the sanding, here’s the piece of abstract artwork I’ll add to the wall in the baby room.
    First-timer Archtop Build-fbcf8a35-d40c-46c5-bdbc-1e5bf1e95a3c-jpg

    I also sanded the curvature to lower the apex by hand, by rolling the piece on the sandpaper on the shirt axis to give it a lower curve, but didn’t take a pic:

    Here is a before of the curve/apex profile:
    First-timer Archtop Build-37fa72de-9257-4b03-bb76-8a6be68ecebb-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-2b6808b9-d4fe-4cc7-bb7c-a988f83fb469-jpg

    And after shaping:
    First-timer Archtop Build-bab29f40-4a23-41b0-9250-897288ba3797-jpgFirst-timer Archtop Build-605e0d2d-0885-40ad-9b9d-fab8253acd65-jpg

    As you can see, I tried to replicate the luthiers drawing proportions.

    Now, it was ready to be strung up again to check the saddle stability. I taped off the headstock to avoid any scratches when stringing it up:
    First-timer Archtop Build-6e95b920-49c2-4e62-9ebd-65d81b623e20-jpg

  20. #369

    User Info Menu

    I wanted to restring without gluing in first and see if it remained stable in the cavity.

    I didn’t photograph the entire restringing progress, but it was the same as last time- outer E strings followed by A and B strings, and lastly D and G strings:
    First-timer Archtop Build-70bd972a-20bb-4690-a949-5555740dda88-jpg

    And after up to pitch, the fit?.....
    First-timer Archtop Build-8bcc3a68-1291-4fe7-9726-3b80d5448a47-jpg

    Flat and steady! Many thanks to the local town violinmaker!

  21. #370

    User Info Menu

    I took the guitar home again to play a bit and see if it stayed it tune, saddle moved, etc.

    I noticed the strings seemed to have raised up, so I removed some of the upbow that developed from the string tension. This helped quite a bit; although, I’ll prolly contour sand then bridge base a bit more since it could use to go down a bit to lower the action as it’s currently only able to be raised (maxed out on lowest height).

    Here are some photos:
    First-timer Archtop Build-01147811-bacd-4ed2-977a-0dcad6f9c68b-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-c26b8c71-2cea-43b0-9a39-a438598c0a86-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-400c6c4f-9cd2-4602-8d4a-d5590122c626-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-b7bb0140-2a08-464a-82b6-e0a50f7c8fe2-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-44bee5fb-6865-4dc6-8805-a36a40197d2f-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-4ab12fa3-3e9d-4e40-8dec-123247e7db9c-jpg
    First-timer Archtop Build-f95783d3-42d8-4757-8293-1fbd5e39cdf1-jpg

    Next, I’ll sand the bridge base a bit lower down, refine the cutaway neck/body edge, and sand the edges round.
    Last edited by sbeishline; 02-09-2020 at 08:47 PM.

  22. #371

    User Info Menu

    The following night, Amanda started into labor just around the time I was messing around with recording a couple notes and my favor chord inversion (Dmaj9) from Geo. Benson’s Tenderly (nothing fancy, just iPhone speaker). Funny how timing on things works out..

    Have a listen and see what you think of this guitar, naked as a newborn babe:



    Again, this is strung with fairly light gauge D’Addario Half Wound 10s as they’ll need to be removed again soon.

    Would love your feedback and thoughts!

  23. #372

    User Info Menu

    You've made a beautiful guitar that sounds lovely even through a tablet speaker (I can't listen through good headphones right now). I think the proper feedback to such a feat is '....HOLY MOLY - he did it...'

  24. #373

    User Info Menu

    I like the sound too with these strings. Appears nice, light and airy in sound, and without the boxyness some smaller hollow bodies have. Congratulations

  25. #374

    User Info Menu

    Just begging for some old-timely country blues !


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

  26. #375

    User Info Menu

    I’m actually deeply disappointed...











    That this wonderful thread is coming to an end. Matt and I both visit some luthier specific boards. I think he would agree this has been one of the best build threads out there.

    You know what a new father really needs? To build a thinline! We’re ready for your next build thread.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro