Experiment 1A

[PhilHill]

As I am more or less bored presently, I decided to try an experiment with some maple that was lying around unused. Read "experiment" as meaning "just goofing around".
Thought I would see what happens.

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. The large piece on the left is one half of a pair that didn't pass muster for a carve-top, so they had it on clearance for $18.00. Couldn't pass it up. The sides were cut out of one half and I split and book-matched the other half

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.After that it was a matter of gluing the sides to the top that I had cutout and trimmed, and adding neck and heel blocks.

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. Had some quarter-sawn walnut that would do for the back, and a smaller piece for a block under the bridge.

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. The back was only .245 thick so I decided to put some braces to stiffen it up a little.

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.Like I said, we'll see where this goes. So far I've got about $30.00 into it, so I figure even if it doesn't sound good I can always use it for wall art........... :turtle: :turtle:

 

[swarfrat]

Ooh I like the bridge design already. That's another idea I've kicked around for years. Sort of the same idea as "the bridge doctor" - balance out the torque from the string pull but still let the bridge vibrate a bit in the up down direction

 

[PhilHill]

Ooh I like the bridge design already. That's another idea I've kicked around for years. Sort of the same idea as "the bridge doctor" - balance out the torque from the string pull but still let the bridge vibrate a bit in the up down direction

Thanks. Hopefully that will be what happens. Didn't want to put it all together then have the result be that the back was caved in after a while. The top is thick enough to look after it self.  :headbang:

 

[DangerousR6]

Very nice, I like the mix of the flame top and walnut back, and the internal bracing is tight... :headbang:

 

[PhilHill]

Thanks. My years as a machinist often give me trouble. What I mean by that is explained by what an old coworker once said to me, "Machinists generally don't make good wood workers, their too finicky". However sometimes, it comes in handy to be precise. You just can't get too obsessed with it.... :icon_thumright:

 

[DangerousR6]

Thanks. My years as a machinist often give me trouble. What I mean by that is explained by what an old coworker once said to me, "Machinists generally don't make good wood workers, their too finicky". However sometimes, it comes in handy to be precise. You just can't get too obsessed with it.... :icon_thumright:

so true, we tend to be too precise, and most wood workers measure with a tape maybe to the nearest .125 and not with a mic to the nearest .0001.... :toothy12:

 

[rgand]

Now this is what "just goofing around" should be! This is one that'll be fun to follow. :icon_thumright:

 

[stratamania]

Another interesting build Phil, they always leave me wanting a workshop.  :icon_thumright:

 

[mayfly]

I'm really liking this!!  Please post more as you go

 

[PhilHill]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the enthusiasm... :blob7: :headbang:

 

[swarfrat]

Otoh woodworkers are prone to try and hold a 6" workpiece by hand while boring a 3" dia hole in it.

 

[PhilHill]

Otoh woodworkers are prone to try and hold a 6" workpiece by hand while boring a 3" dia hole in it.

  :laughing7: :laughing7:

. Wait a minute, I think I've done that........    :doh:

 

[PhilHill]

Not sure why I dislike the traditional f-hole. Perhaps I was frightened by a viola when I was very young. Maybe it's too many youtube violin construction videos. Who knows. Anyway, it's time to put some holes in this thing. First up, sound holes. (Although their value in a semi-hollow is debatable, they sometimes look nice.)

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. Gotta get a new router bit, I'll be sanding those burns out forever  :sad1:  At least the neck pocket came out decent. And as long as I had it tied down to the bench I        did the pickup cavities too.

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.Trimmed up the back and put the counter-bores for the neck ferrules.

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.Started sanding the angles. I love sanding so much........... :sad1: :sad1: :sad1:

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. That's all until the sanding is done. I'll be back whenever the feeling returns to my arms and hands................... :binkybaby:

 

 

[bagman67]

It is always a pleasure to stumble upon a PhilHill project thread.  I envy your skill and your aesthetic.

 

[PhilHill]

It is always a pleasure to stumble upon a PhilHill project thread.  I envy your skill and your aesthetic.

I would like to say thanks, and as soon as I find my dictionary to look up aesthetic I'll know I can.... :icon_scratch:


, Seriously though many thanks, the compliments are special when they come from someone who holds not only GOM but GOTY also.....I am humbled, also a little nauseous. Never get take out Thai food from a place run by a guy named Rasputin............ :icon_tongue:

 

[mayfly]

That's very cool.  And hey- I won guitar of the month once! 

 

[PhilHill]

Thanks. And yes, not only did you win the GOM but I can only dream about being able to solder as neatly as you do.... :icon_thumright:

 

[rgand]

Coming along nicely. The sound holes are sound.  :icon_biggrin: I like the way you beveled them, too.

 

[PhilHill]

Coming along nicely. The sound holes are sound.  :icon_biggrin: I like the way you beveled them, too.

Thank you. A little play on words there huh, reminds me of my Dad. When I would be practicing on the guitar, He would ask me if I could play solow. When I would ask what he meant he'd say "You know, solow, so low I can't hear you."................. :doh: :laughing7:

 

[War_in_D]

Super impressed by the skills and the creation.. I'm really hoping that one day, I'll have the tools and the cajones to actually try building a guitar body from scratch.