Neck making 2

Neck making is continuing. I attached the head plate. Head plate material is Ebony. Then, the head outline cut has been done using a template for the electric trimmer.  I also drilled holes for the machine heads. I also made fingerboard. Nylon strings model has the black wood fingerboard, and the steel strings model has the Ebony fingerboard.

Neck making

     I have been working on neck making. My neck is made from Spanish Ceder using three piece laminated configuration. Also, I have been using V-joint technique between neck and the neck head. I like this method, because I am able to minimize material loss. Most of leftovers from the neck making go to blocks for the body making.
     My neck head for Nylon model has square slots. To make square slots, I cut the slots first, and then glue together to make the head. Then, I cut V-joint mortises. After precise fitting work for the neck head V-joint, Neck head and the neck body are glued. This method takes a lot of fitting works; however, it makes pretty beautiful neck. Also, V-joint is very strong. V-joint neck is stronger than 1-piece neck for sure.
     Neck requires couple of weeks to stabilize from the gluing work. So, I back to the body making next week. After, I complete the body making, I will shape the neck.

Closing box

SSJ and Jazz nylon bodies were closed. Both models showed very nice tap tone as usual. Jazz nylon model showed a little bit tight tap tone. May be this result was due to the beveled armrest that made the sound board surface a little bit smaller. However, this additional feature improves the play-ability a lot. Also, a little bit tight tone is beneficial for the electrical pick-setting for reducing the feedback related oscillation issues. So, I am very happy with this results. Beveled armrest for the Jazz nylon model is useful for the standing play position that requires for stage performance. So the beveled armrest with the best tonal setting for the electrical pick-up system is the best setting.

Carbon rods and Top fitting to sides

     Carbon rods for the top deformation prevention were installed. I have been using 10mm Carbon rods. Weight almost nothing for the Carbon rods. However, this pair of rods improve body robustness against strings tension. Virtually, all steel strings guitars require neck re-setting work in 30 to 40 years of use. However, Carbon rod installed guitar is virtually maintenance free from the view point of the neck action change due to the body deformation..
     I also completed top fitting to sides. Before fitting the top, I also completed the scalloping work for the X-bracing top. Jazz nylon model is more straightforward for the fitting work, because of the simple bracing pattern. You may see the beveled armrest for the Jazz nylon model. This time, I installed the beveled armrest on the Jazz nylon model. Usually, I do not use the beveled armrest for the Nylon models. However, I installed this particular model for a guitar show.

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.