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I have the OM/OOO mold from Blue's Creek. Do the OLF OM plans from StewMac fit that mold well? I'm real interested in trying a cutaway. I'm currently using the MIMF Grand Auditorium plan but it doesn't have a cutaway and I don't think I'm experienced enough to design it myself.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Yes the body shape of the OLF OM's body shape came from a tarcing rendered off of a Martin OM that was in my shopw at one time.

I guess I should say that Martin's cutaway is not the same as mine. (the cutaway shown on the OLF OM is not a Martin cutaway) but you can build in the non cutaway mold.

Now I am in the process of getting updating John's files at BluesCreek for bending forms to match the OLF OM, SJ amd MJ plans as far as cutawys so I would assume that cutaway bending forms that match the cutaways detailed on the OLF plans will be available relitivly soon.

Yep same as I do and I even have a cutaway caul insert that I made to attach to my full body mold but I still cut the slot in the mold for the end of the return bend. It just makes dealing with the joint so much simpler.

Pretty close works for me. Thanks for showing that Todd. Michael I'm looking forward to building from your plans. I'll be ordering them today.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

There is one thing to note , and that is your string spacing. I use the kerf method also when setting up a side set. I hate cutaways so I don't do too many. On the shape of a cutaway , may I say this. Don't get so lost in that the shape must be exactly like Martin or Gibson etc. I freeform my cutaways. I like to keep the stress level as low as I can on my cutaway set so once I have the trim location plotted and glue in the neck block , I have the position frozen. I then use the spreader to hold the outside upper bout position , then screw the neck block into the mold , and this freezes the taper position. The horn and apex are now set and away I go.
Love your guitars and play them all you can
john

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

John, glad you mentioned string spacing as I can see the location of the cutaway side by the neck block pretty much locks that in. I'm not particularly worried about getting a specific cutaway shape - freeform will be fine with me. I just want to try to build one for me since I like to play up the neck sometimes.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"