Neck install

     I made a neck installation work. This is a mortise joint with two wood dowels. This is the identical method as Erving Somogyi has been using. I had been using the bolt on neck joint. Due to the additional weight penalty, I do not use the bolt on joint any more. I switch over to the mortise joint. Mortise joint is very herd to do the neck re-setting work, if it is required in 30 to 50 years later. However, my guitar has carbon fiber rod bracings inside the guitar body. My guitar do not need the neck re-setting work permanently. 

   Before glue the neck to the body, I will take a neck shaping work and fingerboard radiusing work, Once glue the neck to the body, I need do heal cap install, truss rod channel extension, truss rod install, and fingerboard install. There are many detailed processes to complete the MD making project.

Beveled armrest and Scrolled edge

Body making complete. I installed a Cocobolo veneer over the beveled armrest. Thickness is approximately 1.5mm. Thicker material is more challenging to install seamlessly. However, the thicker veneer makes more serious look. Also, thicker veneer matches well with the binding material. I very carefully bent the Cocobolo veneer, and installed using the Epoxy with African blackwood sanding dust. I also installed the scrolled edge on top of the cut-a-way, Material is 1/4" diameter Walnut dowel. Scrolled edge was also installed using the Epoxy with ABW sanding dust. I lightly sanded with 220 grid for entire body. Now, the body and the neck are ready for the jointing. Next week, the neck will be installed to the body.

 

Binding install

 I did binding install work. This MD has the Madagascar RW binding. Mad. RW is a very easy material for the bending. As log as it heat enough, the Mad. RW bends like a rubber. However, this material is very herd and strong for protecting the guitar body. Also, this material has relatively few pores. So, the finishing work is also easy. I spend a lot of time for binding channel cleaning and fitting. Also, I spend a lot of time for the binding material bending and fitting. Precise fitting work makes a huge difference for the binding installation quality. Therefore, the binding installation is a very time consuming process. Next step, I will install a scrolled edge at the top of the cut-a-way. I found a nice walnut 1/4" size dowel. This material has nice matched color for the Madagascar RW binding. So, I can make the scrolled edge for the Mad. RW binding.

Purfling install

 I move to very detailed work for the purfling installation. I completed binding channel and purfling channel cut. I have been using a custom channel cutting jig for the Dremel tool. I also complete the bending work for binding and purfling materials. Then, I completed the purfling installation. This process is a very time consuming process. I need a lot of fitting work before glue materials. Also, using chisels need to be sharpened well. I will continue the binding installation next coupled of weeks. 

Finger board making

 I made a 24.9" scale finger board with binding. I did not take a photo for the slotting work; however, I did slotting work for the 24.9" scale. Finger board material is West African Ebony and the binding material is African Black wood. This finger board has a Maple boarder. Finger board has a 21 fret extension. This extension is needed, because of the 12 fret joint design. Without the fingerboard extension, this guitar would be the 19 fret finger board. After complete the fingerboard, I am working on the binding work for the body. This is a very time consuming and detailed work. I will report the binding work next week.