Final coat spraying

 I completed 8-layers of the final coat apply. I applied four coats in the day one. In the day two, I filled some missing spots for the pour filling. I did three times of Epoxy pour filling sessions; however, there are some missing sots. I mixed between the EM6000 acrylic finish and the silica filler for creating a thick filling material. I filled all missing spots with this custom filler. In the day three, I took a 1200-grid wet sanding for the surface leveling. Then, I back to the additional 4-more finishing material apply. Total layers are eight. I have been using the Emtech EM6000 water base acrylic finish. I also applied the EM6000 to the bridge. I will wait 7-days for the final coat curing. Next week, I will start wet sanding and polishing work.

Bridge making and Pore filling

 I made a bridge using the Padauk. For me, the Padauk is the best material for the bridge. Padauk is much lighter than Rose wood. However, the material hardness is almost equivalent as the rose wood. So, the Padauk bridge is lighter, but equally hard enough to the rose wood. I wanted the bridge weight less than 25grams. This bridge is 23grams. I completed the final sanding work for the guitar. I did a first session of the Epoxy filling work using the System-3 Epoxy with the Silica thickener. It looks like that the Padauk requires three Epoxy filling sessions before go to the spraying session.

Neck Shape and Fret wire install

 After install the finger board using the Epoxy glue. I did the 20' radiousing work on the finger board. Then, I installed fret wires.  I also completed the Neck shaping work. My neck profile is 21mm at 0-fret and 23mm at 10th fret. This guitar has the Gibson style neck volute. Gibson neck is quite famous abut neck braking when the neck has herd impact. My neck has the front and back veneers. Also, my neck has double graphite re-enforcement at the joint between the neck and the head. So, my guitar has the super strong neck configuration. After I complete the neck shaping. I move to the final sanding work. The sanding work will be done in couple of hours. After that, I will move to the Epoxy filling work.

Truss rod and heal cap install

Neck installation requires precise adjustments. I have been using a 70mil (1.78mm) distance from the bridge top. I have been using a straight edge with a dial gauged to precisely measure the neck angle. After install the neck. The mortise neck joint requires to install two dowels for the permanent neck joint. After complete the dowels installation, extended truss rod channels were cut. Then, I installed two graphite rods and an adjustable truss rod. Truss rod covers were installed using Epoxy glue. I also installed a heal cap. Next steps are the finger board installation and the fret wire installation.  

 

Beveled armrest and neck install

 Veneer for the Beveled armrest section was installed. This is the last piece of the binding. Veneer is an 1mm thickness of Cocoboro. After installed the veneer, I took a rough sanding session for entire body. Detailed sanding session will be done after complete the neck joint and fingerboard installation. I also have done the neck joint work. I have not done the detailed fitting work for the neck joint. I just cut a channel for the mortise joint. I also cut a mortise for the neck. I have been using a mortise cut jig for both the body and the neck. This jib enables to precisely cut for the desired neck angle.  

Next week, I will take a precise neck joint fitting and the neck install. Then, I will take the neck shaping work.

Binding Install

 Binding install work is almost done. This is a time consuming work. All mitered sections for the BW pirfling materials must be very precisely installed. I have been using a magnificent gurgle for the precise work. I also installed narrow binding sections for the beveled armrest. Binding material is the Madagascar RW. All binding materials must be precisely fitted to the body shape for the best quality. After install the binding material, I use a rope based clamping technique to make the best fitting. 

Body binding channel cut

 Body binding and purfling channel cut work is done. I also bended binding and purfling materials. Binding material is the Madagascar RW. Binding material requires precise adjustments to make very precise fitting to the binding channel. This process is very important to realize precise fitting for the binding install. Now, the body is ready for the binding and purfling installation. I did not show the completed fingerboard. I added some photos for the completed finger board on the neck. I added a 21st fret extension.