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.

New Projects Start

New projects for Nylon and Steel models started. Both models use Honduran RW for B&S. Steel uses German spruce, and Nylon model uses Capatian spruce for the top. Both models are center sound hole and original Rosetta made from Spoiled Tamarind, Cocobolo, Black wood, and Myrtle. I already completed back and top joint, and Rosetta making.

SSJ Complete

SSJ is finally completed. Lutz spruce top showed different sound than European. Lutz has slightly less over-tones than European tops. However, this material shows stronger middle range sound. 3rd-strings has very strong power. Strong mid range is required for steel strings guitars. Usually, guitars have weak sound volume in the 3rd string. This means that this SSJ model has almost ideal tonal balance. So, I am very happy with this result. Hiscox hard-shell case has the perfect fit for my SSJ model. Now, this SSJ is ready for shipping.

Bridge Install

Bridge install has been done. Bridge for the SSJ is made by Cocobolo. Cocobolo needs Alcohol treatment to remove oil from the glue surface. Oil sometimes creates a bridge disconnection issue. I always use Alcohol to wipe out oil from the glue surface. After installed the bridge, I drilled and fitted to bridge pins for bridge pin holes. This guitar needs a little fret wire dressing and polishing. Then, I will make nut and saddle. I might be able to test this guitar next week.

Final Polishing

It is been two weeks to completely cure the final coat. I start taking final polishing. I have done 1200-grid and 2000-grid wet sanding. Now, I am working on the final polishing. I have been using hand polishing for more delicate work. Also, hand polishing does not make excess heat that may damage the finished surface. I also completed the finishing work for the bridge. After complete the polishing work, I will install the bridge. This guitar will be completed in two weeks.