Neck making 2

This week, I did not have major progress for the neck making. I made a cavity for neck extension.This cavity is for the neck extension above 14th fret. My neck has two graphite rods along with an adjustable truss rod. Two graphite rods are sit all the way from 1fret to 22 fret. This extended graphite reinforcement improves sound quality particularly above 14th fret. Graphite reinforcement also improves neck's mechanical movement much first. As a result,  more over tones are generated from the super high responsible neck. Ultimately, a solid Graphite neck might be able to create much more over tones from bass to treble. However, this is no longer a traditional instrument. Using the Graphite rod might be a controversial subject against conventional guitar construction.

Neck Install

     I did neck install for MD and Nylon models. Both guitars have been using bolt on joint method. My guitars have been using true removable neck joint method. Whenever this guitar needs neck re-setting or serious repairing work, I am able to remove the neck in 30-second.
     I cut a mortise in the neck by hand. After install the neck into the body, I need serious adjustment for neck angle. Very important adjustment is the neck angle. This is not the action adjustment. This is for the string angle for neck's center-line vs. bridge location. There are two methods to define this setting. Neck is installed approximately 1 to 2 degree tilted to left side. What is happening from this setting? Your string at 12-th fret will be shifted approximately 1.5mm inside of the fret-board. This setting is able to prevent a string falling issue at high fret position. String falling issue is very serious on the Nylon-strings model, because the string tension is low. The other method to prevent this issue is that the neck is installed straight, and the bridge is attached approximately 1 to 2mm left side. I do not like this method because the bridge position is out of centered.
     Next step is making channels for Graphite rods and Truss rod, Finger-board install, head veneer install, and neck shaping.

MD Beveled armrest making

I took photos for entire process of the beveled armrest making. Beveled armrest making requires many steps, and steps are;
1. Cutting a bevel core from a Mahogany piece
2.  Assemble the bevel core inside the side
3.  Cut the side for beveled armrest
4.  Assemble the top
5.  Make a purling channel, and Install a purfling on top
6.  Make a binding channel, and installed a purfling for side
7.  Install Ebony binding
8. Install veneer on the beveled armres
9. Cur our excess veneer, and sanding.

What a complicated process for the beveled armrest making. This time, I used Ebony for binding and veneer to match the color. Large black ebony piece is very hard to find. I obtained a large piece of veneer from a Macassar ebony sheet for head plate. Color is slightly lighter; however, it seems very good matching as a complete binding.

Now, body makings are completed for both MD model and Nylon model. Next week, I will start neck making.

 

Completed Beveled armrest

 

Cutting a bevel core

 

Assemble the bevel core

Cut the side for beveled armrest

 

Assemble the top

  

Assembled body

 

Install a purfling on top

 

Made a binding channel, and installed the purfling for side

 

Install Ebony binding

 

Install veneer on the beveled armrest

 

Completed armrest

Nylon body complete

Nylon model completed the body construction work. I installed all bindings including a cut-a-way portion. With the Bocote binding trim, the nylon body reviles to show real beauty with nice color contrast. Once the finish is applied, this body going to be show really beautiful flames.

Purfling Install

     I did purfling installing work for MD and Nylon models. I usually cut a border between purfling and the top to prevent chipping for German and Carpatian tops. Those materials are very soft and very easily create chipping-out. After the hand bordering, I make a purfling channel using a Dremel with a spiral bit. After making the channel, I did hand trimming to create clean and nearly perfect channel fitting. Then, purfling material was glued using the tight bond. Both MD and Nylon model have been don for purfling installation. 
     Next step is binding installation. This process is a very time consuming process.