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Box closed
And sides scraped flat, so the binding channels can be made
On previous projects I did it this way
But after applying a 'handle' this time I tried it like this:
It will stay that way; it works better and easier
Although I thought afterwards that it would work even better with this adjustment..
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04-23-2022 07:45 AM
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Binding installed.
And a fretboard extension support has been made
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Looking pretty good!
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Thanks, citizenk!
In the meantime found some time to put the truss rod in place..
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Preparing the fretboard
And because I want the fretboard inlay dots in the same color as the binding, I made them from a leftover binding
Align fretboard
and hold in place using a few small pieces of wood and hot glue
Gluing the fretboard in place is very easy that way
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Took the time last weekend to shape the neck
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After shaping the headstock
and installing the frets
Is it time to finish this machine (sigh)
When I look back at the guitars I've built so far (twenty or so), there isn't really a single one of which I am satisfied with the final result, and especially with the finish. However, I prepare very well, with a multitude of trials and experiments, but.. The instrument always looks best just before finishing. That's why I often thought about not applying a finish anymore.
But already at the start of this project I had the L-30 in mind as inspiration, in a black version..
And there you have a first obstacle: I did not expect that the plastic binding would also absorb dye (water-based, but probably also partly alcohol?). I'm not prepared to scrape the binding (I've never done this)..
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It looks great! As for the binding, StewMac has a great little video by Tom Murphy on scraping that looks like it’ll solve your problem. Given your skills and experience, this looks like child’s play compared to what you’ve already accomplished.
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Scraping binding is not likely to be the most fun you ever had with your pants on (or off) but it's not the least, either. Sometimes we just have to bow our heads and do what has to be done.
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Originally Posted by sgosnell
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This is really cool. Love watching this come together.
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Thanks, Mr. Beaumont!
An old hacksaw used as a scraper.
But instead of my thumb I used a piece of round wood as a guide.
Works well, but needs some practice.
Finished with a layer of Rubio oil.
Photo looks better than reality. But I can live with it.
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Binding looks good to me.
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Strings and guitar still have to get used to each other
So it doesn't sound very 'convincing' yet
But maybe they will find each other..
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Play it.The sound will come. Wearing out a couple sets of bronze-wound strings will help!
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Beautiful take on a flexed or “stressed” flat top guitar.
The bracing is quite beefy. Perhaps that is robbing you of some tone. Yes, there is about 30lbs of downforce on a typical archtop setup. Perhaps a little less with a lower bridge and lass break angle. But here is a traditional Selmer from the 30’s. Admittedly that is some of the lightest bracing I’ve ever seen on these, but it is a reference.
Unless you take off the back, it’s probably too late to tune those braces. But perhaps for the next one!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
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The size ratio of the bracing is difficult to estimate, rlrhett. I based it on the existing Selmer building plans, but with the Selmer the bracing also gets the support of the famous 'kink' in the top, and I think you shouldn't underestimate the strength of that. I think I'll leave this guitar closed for now..
It currently has (D'Addario) nickel bronze strings on it, citizenk74, but it will be a while before they wear out as I like to build more than play.
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