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Hello all, I've recently decided to start my first build. I feel pretty confident in my woodworking skills and I've done plenty of research through books and internet reading, so I've started a scratch build. I know my first guitar will most likely not end up being the greatest thing ever, but I still wanted to be a little bit different so I chose a bit of an unusual combination of woods. Maybe some will criticize me for my choices, but doing some thing a little bit different is part of the fun if you ask me! Anyway, I've chosen and already started working on an OM-ish shaped monkey pod body and a redwood top.

So, I have the top and back plates glued and the basic shapes cut out, so now it's on to thicknessing. What kind of numbers should I be looking for? I can't find any thicknesses for either of these woods. I guess I should also go ahead and ask about the thickness of the sides too. I'll be bending with a fox-style bender if it matters.

This is a great forum, by the way. I've been browsing for some time now, but this is my first post. Looking forward to finding some good help here.

First off, Welcome to the OLF. You will find a rather large group of folks in Florida and they might be close to you so you can hook up with them.

I've not used Monkey Pod yet but my guess is that you'll want to use the basic back and side thickness'.

Generally, I get the back to 0.090"-0.100" thick. Sides I shoot for 0.080"-0.090"

For the top, as your first several builds you'll want to also stick with some generic numbers as you learn how to feel the wood for stiffness and how that compares to other pieces of the same species etc...
I would shoot for 0.110"-0.120" on the redwood.

I think that monkey pod and redwood should make a great sounding guitar. Might have to try that one out myself one day.

Good luck, ask as many questions as you need, and again welcome to the insanity

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Ellison, that should be a good combination. I think Rod's numbers are a good place to start with those woods. Be careful flexing the redwood since it can split easily. I'd stay closer to the .120 mark unless the redwood is quite dense and stiff. Redwood can vary quite a bit so having a local builder look at it is a good idea. Have fun.

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Thanks for the replies, folks. As for the redwood splitting, I had already figured out that it is easily done! I won't get into specifics, but I've already had to do a small crack repair . Anyway, I got the top down to thickness and I've started on the back, but it is much slower going with the hard wood. I'll be working on these few pieces and starting on my rosette in the next couple weeks. The idea of routing out a channel in the top has me a bit nervous as it will be my first move that must be extremely precise. Good thing I have lots of scrap to practice with! Anyway, I'm starting to ramble a bit. Thanks for the help.

Ellison,
I just saw your post today. I am also a builder in Florida. I spent the last six months installing insualation and A/C in my workshop to battle the humidity. I assume you also have a workshop with A/C? That seems to be the biggest challenge in this state.
I think you got some good advice on your thickness question. The trick is to go slow. Think about every process and what could go wrong before starting. I think you mentioned something about cutting the binding channels. That is a critical step. Hopefully you have the right tools to do this with. I bought an LMI binding jig from a local Luthier that was selling everything off. Got a good deal on it, and I am using my Ryobi Colt rouoter on it. I am also new at this. I spent a couple weeks with a pro learning how to do it back in April. I have 30 years of expierence in woodworking, so that helped a lot.
Good luck on your build. I am building two OM's for my grandkids. Using EIR for the B&S, and Addie on the tops. You are right abouit one thing for sure. This forum is a great place to learn the tricks from the pros. They are very helpful and friendlyl.
See you around,
Mike R

Ellison: The Advice Mike gave you"Think about every process And what could go wrong before starting" is some of the best advise you will get any where.Building a guitar is like a chess game,you have to think many moves ahead or some thing will jump up and bite you.But don't let that slow you down. Good luck and have fun.
Tom

Thanks for the help guys. Mike, it's nice to know others in the area are doing some guitar building. I actually live in a condo, so I don't have a workshop. But I do have a nice kitchen space where i do most of my work and it's air conditioned! My living situation makes some things a bit difficult, but it's nothing I can't manage! Any tips as to what kinds of conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.) I should keep my kitch-cough-workshop in?

Ellison, while I'm no help to you on your actual question, I do happen to have both a sound sample and some pictures of a monkey pod/redwood guitar and thought you might be interested.

It was made by Kevin Clark, so I take no credit for it.

Sound Sample:
http://kevinmichaelclarkguitars.com/wp- ... erness.mp3

Pics (first gallery):
http://kevinmichaelclarkguitars.com/?page_id=242