Solid lining install

     Solid linings including beveled armrest were installed. Solid linings were made from three layers of Spanish Ceder. Cur-a-way portion and beveled armrest portion were made from solid Spanish Ceder piece. Those solid linings make significant sound improvement. Although solid linings require a lot more extra time for making compared with the conventional kerfed linings, I have been using this technique. Slid lining are also invisible from outside. I still want to install them. Sound quality improvement techniques are usually invisible from outside. However, I have been installing all of possible techniques such as the double layer sides, solid linings, and lattice back bracing.

     Next week, I will install Carbon fiber rod braces for the body deformation prevention.

Radiusing sides

Radius-ing for sides has been done. I have been using the 30' radius for the top and the 12' radius for the back. For the radiusing, thickness for the side should be accurately controlled  to obtain designed final thickness. So, this process is relatively tricky. I will use planes quite actively to speed-up this radiusing process. After complete the side thickness profiling and radiusing, solid linings will be installed.

Side assembly

I have been working on side assembly process. Side assembly requires a lot of time for precisely aligning blocks. Blocks are made by recycled Spanish ceder those are came from neck making. So, I will not wast any materials. Side assembly for the SSJ model is completed. Now, I am working on the nylon model.

Side bend and laminate

     Side bend and laminate works are done. Honduran RW was sanded to approximately 1.5mm thickness. Yellow ceder was also sanded to 1.5mm thickness. Total thickness for the sides is approximately 3mm. I have been using Epoxy for the side laminate. Epoxy is the best for me because of the slow curing time. Side laminate needs wide space spreading the Epoxy for both materials. It requires relatively long time for Epoxy apply. Wood glue (Tight bond) and Gorilla glue are too first for the curing, although both glues show equally good results. I prefer to use the Epoxy.
     Next week, I will make blocks for tail and neck. I also make solid linings.

Back making

     Back making is done. Back center strip is Ebony with Black-White border. Back bracing is made by Red spruce. My back thickness is approximately 2mm. Therefore, the very thin back requires the lattice bracing to make a nice continuous doming. Traditional ladder bracing requires a relatively thick back board thickness to create smooth doming. When the thick less is less than 2mm, the Ladder bracing start distorting in between braces. Unlike the ladder bracing, the lattice bracing has many advantages. Lattice bracing is also lighter than ladder bracing. Light weight is another advantage for me. Only negative side is more time consuming for the lattice bracing. Also, the lattice bracing installation requires the vacuum clumping to apply even pressure.
     Next step is the side making. I will use laminated sides using Yellow ceder. I also use Epoxy laminate technique.

X-Bracing

     I completed X-bracing based top making. This bracing design is for the SSJ model. This top bracing work has not been done for scaropping work. Bracing material is the Adirondack spruce and Madagascar RW for the bridge plate. Brazilian RW is the best for the bridge plate; however, due to the limit-ted availability, I have been using the Mad RW.
     This page also shows Nylon top using the Balsa wood lattice with Epoxy Carbon fiber laminate. This top is for the Classical guitar. Classical guitar has more modernized design than Steel-strings guitar. We should say that Steel-strings guitars are classical, because from a view point of guitar design and structure evolution, Steel strings guitars has not been changed since the X-bracing was invented by Martin Guitars.

Lattice Bracing

For the Jazz Nylon model, I installed lattice bracing. This time, I used the Balsa wood for bracing. Bracing weight is only 8 grams before shaping. This weight is approximately 3-times lighter than Spruce based lattice bracing. After shaping the Balsa bracing, I also installed Carbon fiber filament using Epoxy. Additional Epoxy weight is approximately 2-grams. So, the Carbon fiber laminated lattice bracing top has super light weight. Top material is Spruce and thickness is between 1.3mm and 2mm depending on location. Although the top has super thin profile, Epoxy Carbon laminated top is super strong and stable against climate change.

Next week, I will work for the X-bracing for the steel strings model.