Neck Blanks Making

This weekend, I did a lot of milling works for linings and neck blanks. I finished gluing three piece neck blanks making for steel strings models. I also made three piece neck blanks for the nylon model. This time, I laminated Ebony in center for the neck for the Nylon model. Nylon neck has a V-joint configuration for the slotted head. Slotted head material is Philippine Rosewood. These material combination for the slotted head makes a really nice looking guitar.

SSJ Side assembly

I did side assembly for the SSJ model. SSJ model has African Black-wood (ABW) side and backs. ABW sides are much stronger and heavier than Myrtle wood version as you can see behind the ABW sides. For me, ABW is suitable for steel-strings guitars, because sides for the steel strings guitar require supporting strong string tension (pull) from the top. Also, Nylon strings players do not want to use heavy instrument. Myrtle sides are much lighter than ABW; however, Myrtle sides are strong enough for Nylon strings guitars. Both sides, I will use solid linings for the sound board side to make solid bonding between the top and sides. For the back side joint, I will use the Kerfed linings. Back board joint does not need strong support.

Nylon Side Assembly

Side assembly for the nylon model is completed. Top, bottom, and cut-a-way blocks are made by Cedro. Side assembly is a time consuming process, because those three blocks need precise fitting. However, I always am able to enjoy this process. I have a low angle block plane, a model makers mini plane, Slone mini planes (two sizes), a Scraping plane, a hand made long wooden sole plane, and a modified rounded sole plane. Using those planes, I am able to create very precisely fitted blocks. Working with Cedro is also a really joy. Cedro is a very plane friendly material.

SSJ and Nylon parts making

I have been working on new SSJ and Nylon builds. I have been working on body parts making for sides. I did side laminate for double side configuration. Laminate material is Yellow ceder. So far, Yellow ceder is the best material for double side making from the view point of cost, quality, and workability. Neck and bottom blocks are made from Cedro (Spanish ceder). Tail block was laminated with Ebony to increase hardness. Both blocks were precisely shaped to fit to the side shape.
Next week, I will assemble those parts to complete side construction.

MD Complete and New Built Start

MD making is completed. This guitar has dramatic sap materials including the bridge. Sap materials are on sides, back, finger-board, and bridge. Sound quality is similarly dramatic. This guitar has a very well balanced tonal character for studio recording. MD model has much tighter sound character than SSJ. SSJ is suitable for concert hole performance without using microphone. MD is a perfect guitar for studio recording. MD is also suitable for installing an electrical pick-up system for line applications.

I also started new project using African black wood for the SSJ model, and Oregon Myratle for the Nylon model. Myratle has dramatic flame and dark hart wood. This nylon model becomes a gorges guitar. ABF back is three piece construction. I already completed back joint and sanding works for back and sides. Next week, I will start installing back bracing.

MD Assembly

     Bridge assembly has been done for the MD model. Bridge was made by Cocoboro. For the bridge finishing, I applied three coats of Shellac with two pumice pore filling sessions. Then, the bridge was attached using the vacuum clump as my standard gluing process. Cocoboro requires serious oil removing process using alcohol. Otherwise, the bridge will be detached from the top within a year.
     I will use Waverly tuning machines for this guitar. I am working on the machine head install and nut and saddle making. Next week-end, I am able to test drive this guitar. Then, this guitar will be shipped to Taiwan.

MD Sanding and Polishing

MD finishing spray sessions have been done last week. I also finished sanding sessions using 1500-grit and 2000-grit water sanding papers. I already started polishing sessions. I might be able to finish all finishing works for the MD model by end of next week.

 During sanding and polishing sessions, my assistant has been watching progress. I wish she was able to polish using her nice outer coat.

I received a HISCOX PRO-2-GAD case. This case is designed for 16" size body. My SSJ model is the same as the Gibson J-185 body shape that has 16" lower bout width. High quality 16" size acoustic guitar case is very hard to find. Finally, I was able to obtained the case for the SSJ model. HISCOX case has very good thermal insulation that is very important for safety transportation using a car. Also, HISCOX case has very good impact resistance.

MD Complete

Finally the MD model making is completed. I have been working on this project more than a year. However, I have very good confidence that this guitar have very good sound quality. When I have a final sanding session, this guitar already showed very good tapping tones. The sound is actuary too loud. This is a very good sign. The top material I used this guitar was obtained from an estate sale from a retired guitar maker. There was only an indication as the European Spruce when I purchased it. However, this top has perfect silk pattern when I cut it. In fact, cross grains are almost perpendicular. So, the top material quality is the premium level. This is the reason why this guitar shows amazingly good tap tones. I will take Epoxy filling sessions in this week,

Complete

Both Nylon and SSJ are completed. SSJ model showed pretty good balance from buss to treble. I recognized very even over tone distribution for all 6 strings. I changed the X-bracing angle a little bit wider for this built. As a result, this guitar showed very good over tone balance for solo tunes. Side ports help a lot for monitoring sound for the player. I think this guitar is an ultimate recording guitar.

Nylon model also showed very good tone balance from buss to treble. I have been making Kasha-Shunider style bracing. Kasha bracing has too much buss; however, this lattice bracing showed very good balance. This nylon model requires tow more years to open-up completely. So, I am very excited to see the matured nylon model.

For the Lattice back bracing, I did not see any sound difference compared with the ladder bracing. I need to check the sound for some one plays those instruments, because the lattice back bracing helps to improve the projection.

More polishing

Now, I am working on the SSJ for the final polishing. I still need to built a bridge for the SSJ. Hopefully, I am able to assemble all parts next weekend for both SSJ and Nylon model.

Finishing and polishing

SSJ and Nylon model are finished final coating. I also completed the bridge making for the nylon model. I changed the bridge shape to much smaller buss side size to minimize buss sound. I also increased the treble side size. Previously using Kasha designed bridge created too much sound compensation between buss and treble.
I have been working on the final polishing for the nylon model, and it will be finished by Friday. I will take the final assembly for the nylon model this weekend. I am very excited to test the lattice braced nylon strings guitar.

Top Saining

I applied yellow stain on the top for both SSJ and Nylon models. I have been using yellow stain for my latest builds for a year. Yellow stain fades a way over time; therefore, it requires slightly strong staining on the yellow top. After I applied the stain, I also applied very thin Epoxy cote using Alcohol thinning technique. Epoxy apply is for making an even color for overly sanded portions during filling sessions. Now, both SSJ and Nylon models are ready for final coat spray session. I will apply eight coats of EM6000 Water based Acrylic finish next week.

Epoxy filler work

I start finishing work for SSJ and Nylon models. I applied System-3 Epoxy with Silica form on top. I have been using Epoxy filler even on the top. For sides and back, I will use the same formula with dark brown dye for making darker color. So, the top per-coating is able to protect the dye contamination to the top. I will apply couple of Epoxy cotes during this week, and then take sanding sessions next week-end.

Side ports making

I have been working on final sanding for Nylon and SSJ models. While I am working on the sanding sessions, I thought that the SSJ model has quite large armrest bevel. It seems perfect for adding side ports on the beveled armed rest. So, I decide to add four side ports on the beveled armrest. SSJ model still needs a little bit more sanding work perpendicularly on the top. Nylon model is completed the sanding work and it is ready for filling work. I will start filling work next week.

Fretwire install

SSJ and Nylon guitar makings are pretty much done. Both guitars have fret wire installed. I will take final sanding for both guitars, and then start finishing work.

Neck details work

I finished the finger board radiusing and polishing. Fret-wires were cut for edge binding. Fret wires are needed for detailed filing work for fret tung removing at the edges.

I also finished machine head hole drilling for the slotted head. I also finished slotted channel tapering for the nut access. Drilling work for the slotted head is a tricky process. I have been using a home made drilling fixture for individual machine head design. Completed head has a unique tapered string channel.