SSJ Top and Back complete

Top and back assembly for the SSJ model is completed. I did cross section shaping for the back to minimize weight. I will trim the brace high at edge portion a little more when I install the back to the body. For the top, I increased X-bracing opening angle from 88-frgree to 93-degree. Original Taku's bracing pattern has shown good results from last two SSJ built. I do not want to change a lot. However, I want to slightly increase overtones for bass-E string. Therefore, I increased the X-opening slightly. I will also change the scalloping pattern for bass side. Taku's original scalloping pattern is asymmetrical. He on-purposely reduced scalloping on buss side to reduce overtone generation. I will increase the scalloping on buss side to increase overtones.

SSJ Bracing

I made bracing materials. First photo shows a cross section of my X-bracing. I always shave out top braces as concave. This shaving requires extremely long time. This extra effort might contributes very tiny part of sound quality; however, very tiny differences pit together makes excellent tonal quality. That is why a properly built hand made guitar creates excellent tone.

2nd photo is for the X-brace installing sequence using the vacuum clump system. This technique enables a void free glue joint. The last photo is for the completed Rosetta. I installed a Hawaiian Koa inner ring to make a lovely flamed border. Inner ring also seals well for moisture penetration into the top wood. 

Lattice Back Bracing

As I mentioned on the previous blog, I am using the lattice bracing for the sound board for my Nylon model. I also use the lattice bracing for my back. This time, I will use very thin back board thickness. Back thickness is 2mm for SSJ and 1.8mm for Nylon. When the back board thickness is very thin, ladder bracing stricture will be visible. This is a serious problem for loosing the beauty of back dooming shape.  However, thinner back board improves guitar's sound response. Earvin Somogyi mentioned this fact in his book, "Making the responsive guitar". I agree with his comments. To make thinnest possible back board thickness without sacrificing back dooming shape, I employed the lattice bracing for the back. First photo is for the nylon model. This is a gluing sequence using a vacuum clumping system. 2nd photo is the completed back for the nylon model. I was able to obtain very beautiful 12' radios without any distortion issue for the 1.8mm back thickness. Last photo is for the SSJ back. This is before gluing for the lattice. SSJ model uses Spanish ceder for the lattice bracing material.

SSJ 6-strings built

I have a new project for making a 6-strings SSJ model. This guitar has a premium grade of an European spruce top and Guatemalan Rosewood back and sides. Guatemalan RW is a quite lair material. Looks pretty much the same as Honduran RW. However, Guatemalan RW has a bit glassier tap tone. I made a custom Rosetta using King wood, Asian Ebony, and Oregon Myrtle. I finished back joint using African black wood for the center strip. I also finished thickness sanding for top, back, and sides. Next week, I will do bracing installation for back and top.