Carl's guitar project.

[warpedbored]

Weather is getting warmer so I didn't mind being out in the shop for a few hours today. I trimmed the neck down, shaped the head stock, drilled the holes for the tuners, drilled holes in the fret board put in the mother of pearl fret marker dots, put in the truss rod, and glued the fret board to the neck. I decided to save the red Sperzel tuners I was going to use and put on satin black Sperzel tuners instead. Mainly because I decided not to dye the back and sides red. I'll take pictures of the neck tomorrow when I take the clamps off. Here's a photo of the tuners after I test fit them. I like Sperzel tuners because they have a trim lock. You just put the string in the hole, tighten the trim lock, clip off the string and tune it up. You don't need to wrap the string around and around the peg.

 

http://oi49.tinypic.com/24za9n8.jpg

[warpedbored]

I couldn't wait until morning to take it out of the clamps. Here's the finger board with the dots in. I'll finish carving the neck, hammer in the frets and glue it to the body. It's looking more and more like a guitar.

 

http://oi46.tinypic.com/294i8o2.jpg

[Urkidding]

is that a veneer top on the neck or did you stain it?

[warpedbored]

is that a veneer top on the neck or did you stain it?

The neck is African Mahogany. The headstock veneer is 1/16th thick Ziricote. Same wood as the finger board and the end wedge. Pretty wood but not easy to work with. Very similar in working properties to Ebony. The head stock veneer dresses it up and also re-enforces the scarf joint.

[warpedbored]

Carving the neck. I hope to finish that tomorrow, hammer in the frets and glue the neck to the body.

http://oi50.tinypic.com/2qa2xdd.jpg

 

http://oi46.tinypic.com/2vaf71t.jpg

[warpedbored]

Hey it actually looks like a guitar! I got the neck carved but instead of hammering in the frets first I took my friend master luthier Robert Steinegger's advice to glue the neck on first, wait two days, level the fret board then hammer in the frets. I've seen luthiers do it both ways but since he's made a hell of a lot more guitars than I have I figure he knows what he's talking about. I've mentioned Robert before but for those of you who missed it he's made guitars for The Everly Brothers, Morten Harket of the band Aha and others. One special guitar he made for Ike Everly as a birthday gift to his brother Phil had almost a pound of gold in it.

http://oi46.tinypic.com/hrbmrn.jpghttp://oi45.tinypic.com/50h847.jpg

[tsap seui]

Simply amazing work Carl. I look at the precision you work with, the jigs, and all the other knowledge you need, and have, to build a guitar and can only applaud you for such craftsmanship and wood working skills.

 

Heck, I have been working the last few days on closing in a basement door entryway on one of Wenyan houses....it's comical compared to your precision. I only have to worry about square plumb and level and here I am using pressure treated 2X12's and 2X4's to build the frame. Closest I come to your precision and delicate work is where the top and bottom of my wall studs studs have to be cut at different angles to fit the existing concrete and new roof line I put on.....lol

 

It's nice to see a guitar start for raw wood to a fine instrument. All my work gets covered up with siding ....lol

 

Looks really good Carl. I realy appreaciate your craftsmanship.

 

tsap seui

Edited February 26, 2013 by tsap seui (see edit history)

[Dennis143]

Hey it actually looks like a guitar! I got the neck carved but instead of hammering in the frets first I took my friend master luthier Robert Steinegger's advice to glue the neck on first, wait two days, level the fret board then hammer in the frets. I've seen luthiers do it both ways but since he's made a hell of a lot more guitars than I have I figure he knows what he's talking about. I've mentioned Robert before but for those of you who missed it he's made guitars for The Everly Brothers, Morten Harket of the band Aha and others. One special guitar he made for Ike Everly as a birthday gift to his brother Phil had almost a pound of gold in it.

http://oi46.tinypic.com/hrbmrn.jpghttp://oi45.tinypic.com/50h847.jpg

Be interested in what Mr. Robert Steinegger has to say about your work. I'd have to believe that for a first effort he'd have to give you some praise. Is the truth simply in the pudding in that how does it play, how does it sound and how does it look? If it were me, it would be like trying to judge my first love. You have got to feel an deep affinity for this instrument, Carl.

[warpedbored]

Be interested in what Mr. Robert Steinegger has to say about your work. I'd have to believe that for a first effort he'd have to give you some praise. Is the truth simply in the pudding in that how does it play, how does it sound and how does it look? If it were me, it would be like trying to judge my first love. You have got to feel an deep affinity for this instrument, Carl.

I absolutely do have an affinity for this guitar. It's my first, I'll never part with it. I have every expectation that it will sound great.

 

Robert has seen it in parts. he said "I would have done some things a bit differently but that's fine" That's probably as close to praise as I'll get. On the other hand my other mentor Charles Fox, has been quite encouraging and effusive with praise. Two different schools of thought. Robert is a traditionalist who embraces time honored construction methods. Charles on the other hand embraces new methods, material and technology. Charles also is a professional instructor who owns the "American School of Luthiery. He has been teaching the craft for over 40 years. He builds one line of guitars called "The Ergo Guitar" that starts at $18K. http://www.ergoguitars.com/ He's one of the most respected luthiers in the world. I am very fortunate to know both men.

[Yuanyang]

'bout time to string this beast and tie in an Amp, then bang out some Muddy Waters.

[Yuanyang]

Carl, I went to http://www.ergoguitars.com/ and heard some of the best dayum gee'tar playing I've heard in a long time. I encourage others to do the same.

[warpedbored]

Charles let me play one once. I could only fantasize about building something so good.

[Urkidding]

One of my best sounding guitars that I owned was a 12 string Alverez. I picked it up for a song and a dance... I now wished that I had kept it. It sounded very sweet!

[tsap seui]

One of my best sounding guitars that I owned was a 12 string Alverez. I picked it up for a song and a dance... I now wished that I had kept it. It sounded very sweet!

Ah Sir, would you mind sharing with us the song you sang for that thar geetar. You being from Tejas, I figure the dance you were doing was the funky chicken.

 

Maybe a video of yore performance is in order.

 

tsap seui

[warpedbored]

I mentioned my mentor Robert Steinegger earlier. I ran across this interview with him this morning that I found very interesting.

http://www.everly.net/file/guitars/steiny/kentucky.htm