Classical Project Complete

     I completed the classical guitar making project. I installed strings in 11/23/2019 first time. Strings action over the 12-fret wire is 3.4mm for the low-E and 3mm for the high-E. This is quite low action setting. I installed the D'Addario EJ45 normal tension strings. This guitar has been improving the sound quality day-by-day. Now, I have good confidence that this guitar has very nice bright sound character. Low-E string has very power full sound. I feel strong vibration in my stomach, when I hit the low-E string. This result is due to the graphite rod reinforcement in the last photo. Those carbon rods braces hold the neck very tight. Also, those braces are able to avoid future deformation issue for the neck angle change. Carbon braces are super light weight; therefore, the additional weight penalty is very minimum. I am very happy with this results.
     Please enjoy posted photos for the completed Classical guitar. The guitar specifications are shown in below.

Strings Scale: 650 mm with African Black wood fingerboard
Neck profile: 52 mm at nut and 62 mm at 12 Fret
Neck: Cedro-Black Dyed Maple-Maple-Ebony-Maple-Black-dyed Maple-Cedro (7-play) with a Graphite rod reinforcement
Top: European Spruce with Balsa and Graphite with Epoxy composite
Back: Curly Maple from West coast USA
Sides: Curly maple and Yellow Cedar laminate
Bridge: Brazilian Rosewood
Binding: Ebony
Tuning machines: Gilbert
Head plate veneer: Ebony (top and back)
Armrest: Black dyed maple
Nut and saddle: Bone
Finishing: Shellac (top) and Water based acrylic

Final Assembly

     Classical guitar project is completed. I installed a bridge, an armrest, and tuning machines. My bridge has 12-holes for the string install. The 12-hole bridge is able to make the highest possible strings angle to the saddle. This makes the brightest possible sound character due to the highest possible tension. The bridge has couple of Shellac coatings with steel wool mat finish. The bridge was installed using the vacuum clamping system for the best result. Tuning machines are Gilbert tuners. For me, the Gilbert tuners are the best on the market.
     This guitar has the Shellac finish on the top. Rest of surfaces are water based Acrylic finish. Shellac finish on the top makes brighter sound character. I installed D'Addario EJ45 normal tension strings.

Neck Shaping

I have been working on the neck shaping. First, I make the thickness profiling. This neck has 22 mm thickness at 0-fret and 24 mm thickness at 9th fret. The top of the neck profile becomes the reference plane. Second step is partially tapering the cross section. This shape becomes the other reference plane for my neck. I will never touch those two reference plane. This technique is able to make precisely straight neck. I already installed the finger board and the neck heal cap. The heal cap is Ebony and the Ebony heal cap matches to the ebony neck center laminate.

Neck Joint

Neck joint is complete. Neck heel shape was done before the neck joint. I selected Spanish style heel shape. This guitar is a traditional classical guitar. So, I selected the classical design. My neck joint is the mortise joint. After complete the mortise joint, I adds two wooden dowels to avoid neck dislocation issue. This method is the best for me to precisely align neck angle and precise fitting. Also, I installed a square carbon rod from the neck top to the body at the finger board end. You may see the maple cover over the carbon rod at the center of the neck. This rod improved neck robustness against strings pull. I will have the neck shaping work and the fingerboard install next week.

Binding install and Neck Joint

Ebony binding install is complete. Ebony binding makes beautiful contrast to the Maple body. This body also has an Ebony center strip in the back. After, install the neck. Laminated neck and the back center strip match very well. At this moment, the neck joint is temporary. It requires a lot of time to accomplish precise alignment for the angle and fitting. Also, before the final neck installation, the neck requires the shaping work. It still requires a long way to complete this guitar making project. 

Neck Making Part 3

Neck making has more progress. Neck head veneer for the top and back are installed. I selected Ebony to match the Neck laminate material. Also the top and back veneer makes better re-enforcement for the Vee neck joint. I also took photos with machine head. This time, I will use the Gilbert machine head. For me, this is the best machine head for nylon strings guitarist. This machine realizes super good tuning stability for real processional guitarists. This neck has a 650mm scale African black wood fingerboard. ABW is the best fingerboard material, because ABW is one of the hardest wood species. For me, Ebony is way too soft for the fingerboard application. ABW is very hard to work for the finger board shaping. However, after polishing the ABW, it makes super smooth surface for the best play-ability.

Neck making part2

I completed neck head making and Vee joint. Neck head already has holes for machine head. I made Vee joint cuts for the neck blanks and the head. Then, glued together between the head and the neck blanks. Now, the neck is ready for shaping. Before the neck shaping, I need to cut a finger board, and head veneer gluing. I will use Ebony for the peg head veneer to match the ebony neck center laminate.

Neck Making part 1

     I am making nick for the classic model. I made three neck blanks to select the best design. One neck blanks has the 5-ply configuration that is made from Spanish ceder + African BW + Ceder + ABW + Ceder. The other two necks are seven ply configuration that is made from Ceder + Block died maple veneer + Maple + Ebony + Maple + Black died maple veneer + Ceder. I have been using laminate neck for my guitars, because the laminate neck has the best stability and the best sound quality. My neck has the unique V-joint between the beck blanks and the head. Vee joint requires super precise trimming work. However, this joint makes the best beauty for me.
     I also made three different heads. One head is made from Catarox. Catarox is a super heard material. Other two heads are made from Spanish ceder. I am still thinking witch neck blanks and head combination will use for this Classic project. However, I already decide the neck material, and I will use the seven ply neck.

Side making

Side making for the Maple classic model is complete. Strongest and lightest configuration is required for the guitar side. To make the strong side, I have been using a laminate technique. My side is made by Maple and Yellow ceder laminate. Lining is also made by laminated Spanish ceder for the top side. Top side requires very stable structure for supporting the sound board. My neck side block has a very wide extension to support the finger board. This extension is designed for supporting two carbon fiber rods installation. Those carbon fiber rods makes another level of improvement for the guitar side. Wide extension also prevents the sound board clacking issue. This problem is very commonly observed in old classical guitars. Wide neck extension is able to avoid future issue.

Maple Classic Project

     I started a Maple B&S and Spruce top classical guitar project. This guitar is making for a World renowned Jazz guitarist, pianist, and composer. I am very excited to making this guitar for him.
     This guitar is using the best of the best materials. Top is an European spruce. Grains are super tight and perfect quarter sawn. Back and sides are premium grade maple from my trusted wood supplier of the Notable Wood. I have been buying from this company for premium grade Maple, Yellow ceder, Myrtle and Hawaiian Koa. This back and side have been air dried since 2009.
     I installed lattice bracing for the back. I also installed a Rosetta using my signature wood Rosetta using Spoiled tamarind, African padouk, Malaysian black wood, and King wood. Sides are vended and laminated with Yellow ceder. Also the front block and tail block are already installed.

Taku-Sakashita 12-strings maintenance

Taku-Sakashita made 12-strings guitar returned for maintenance. This guitar making originally started by Late Taku Sakashita. When Taku completed the back making and top sound board joint, he passed a way. I took-over this guitar making project and completed. This guitar has a premium grade of the Brazilian RW back and sides. Neck head veneer, finger board, and bridge are also Brazilian RW. Please enjoy some photos for this beautiful mater piece.