Neck thickmess sanding

I did neck head thickness sanding using a drill press. Finalized thickness would be 14.5mm. At this moment, the head thickness is 13.5mm. I will add an 1mm back plate. Back plate material is Maccaser Ebony. Before applying the back plate, the neck head back is needed to make a clean surfacing with nice sloping for the neck volute.

Neck making

I had a remodeling project in my home. My place has been quite messy for three weeks, and almost impossible to make any progress for guitar making. Now, I back to normal.  I did truss rod channel making, head plate surface planing, and head plate gluing. Head plate material is African black-wood. As I mentioned previously, I will use the mortise joint technique for those three guitars. Therefore, I will install truss rods after joint the neck to the body. I will have back plate surfacing, back plate gluing, neck rough shape, neck install, truss rod install, and then final neck shaping.

MD body complete

MD black wood version for the body assembly is done. Final sanding is still needed for both MD and SSJ bodies. After finish sanding sessions, I will make mortise for the neck joint. This time, I will use mortise joint for the neck attachment to the body. I have been using the bolt on joint method. However, there is no chance to have the neck re-setting in the distant future. I decide to change the neck joint method to a permanent neck joint method. Also, the mortise joint is able to minimize weight increase. Next week, I will do the neck making.

SSJ body complete

Finally, the SSJ body making is completed except final sanding session. I assembled all bindings including tricky beveled armrest and cut-a-way sections. You may be able to see a tricky rope clumping technique for the cut-a-way portion. I have a creative way of clumping a tricky shape. Wood binding installation is always challenging and need a lot of patience. 

Binding installing

I installed a binding for the beveled armrest portion using Ebony material. All three bodies are done. Then, I cur a binding channel for the armrest portion. This is a very time consuming process, because I am not able to use a routing fixture. So, channel cutting is free hand. I put a cutting pattern using a flexible tape as you can see in photo 3. Then, using a Dremel, very carefully, cut by hand. This is a very risky and sensitive work, Binding channel for the bottom portion is a straight forward work. I also need to cut binding channel for cut-a-way portion.

Purfling work is done

I finished purfling work for all three bodies. Three of them have Macaser Ebony beveled armrest, Three of them also have Maple-Brazilian RW-Maple-black (dyed maple) purfling. Next step is installing Ebony binding for both top and back. Then, the body making is done. Body making is already pretty much done at this moment.

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.