Purfling install

     I installed purfling and a veneer for the beveled armrest. This time, I reversed a step for the veneer install. I have been installing the veneer as the very last step, However, a surface sanding for the beveled portion is somewhat challenging. So, I tested a different steps for beveled armrest making. So far, it looks good. If this technique works good. I will use this making steps for rest of two bodies.
     A biggest challenge for the purfling installation is for the beveled armrest portion. In this portion, the purfling needs steep curving. I use a heat bending technique for re-shaping the purfling. Steep curving needs an extra care to make successful shaping without damaging materials.
Next week, I will have a vacation in Maui. I will not post my progress for two weeks.

Neck blanks making

     Three neck blanks are made from well seasoned and aged Cuban Cedro logs. I have been using 8ft long and 5"x1" logs for my neck construction. After purchase long logs, I store those material approximately three years in my garage. When a guitar making start, I cut the log into decent size for neck laminate, and than I roughly surfaces it. Then, rough surfaced materials are stored in my work shop. Finally, the row neck material re-surfaces using a #7 hand jointer. Then, cut for the neck profile, and glue for three piece laminated neck. Beauty of the laminated neck is stability. Also, neck does not have the heal joint.
     In this industry, one piece neck is the best choice as commonsense; however, the large and thick Mahogany log (4"x4") is very heard to reduce moisture level using natural aging process. Basically, Kline is required for stabilizing the one piece log. For me, it too expensive to use forced aging process for my guitar construction. Therefore, I have been using the laminate neck construction.

Three sisters

This week, I closed a box for the King wood version on MD model. Now, three sisters are ready for binding works. King wood version has been using slave cut materials. It looks pretty wild guitar.
Next week, I will work for the neck making project for those three bodies.

Closed box for SSJ

A body for the SSJ model was closed. This body also shows approximately 1-second of tapping sound decay time. This is what I want to get. This guitar design is almost perfect at this moment. Now, I have two closed bodies for MD and SSJ. Both bodies show approximately 1-second of tapping sound decay time. Next week, I will close the other MD body made out of King wood.

 

Closed box for the MD

I closd the box for one of the MD models. I also open the beveled arm rest portion after closed the box. MD model showed excellent long sustainable tap tone. I usually expecting approximately 1-second of tap tone. Too much thinned top makes too long sustain. Top thickness adjustment is a very tricky business. I also start assembling the SSJ model. Assembly process is exactly the same as the MD model. After attach the back, I apply couple of nitrocellulose coats, and then attach the top.

MD assemble

I finished final tuning for the top, and then applied couple of coats of Shellack. Top and side fittings for the sides are done. Back is already assembled to side. After assembled the back, I applied couple of coats of Nitrocellulose lacquer for moisture sealing inside the box. This time, I did not use the Shellack into the black wood surface,  because the black wood has very dark resin. Resin will spread all over the bracing if I use Alcohol based shellack. It makes messy finishing inside the box. Sprayed finish created nice and shiny surface. Now, this MD body is ready to close the box.

SSJ side assemle complete

SSJ side assemble is complete. SSJ model also has the beveled armrest,and it install work was completed. Now, three sides are ready for closing box. Next week, I start closing the boxes. Once finish the box closing, I will work for neck blanks making. Then, I back to detailed purfling and binding works for the body.