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Ok I closed up the box on a small L00 sort of size on the weekend. Well, I gapped! I wanted the body extra deep, but after I took it out of the mold I realised its very deep. It's about 4" at the heel and 5" at the tail.

Wondered what you guys think. Should I rip it apart and trim it down or carry on with it?

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

It is a Ribbon Sapelle back and sides and Adirondack top.

Thanks
Neil

Well, you got what you wanted-an extra deep body, right? If it's something really important (client order or something), I'd say tear it apart, otherwise I would say carry on and see how it turns out. That's probably what I'd do since it could be fun.

If you have not yet routed for binding remove the top, chisel out the lining and re-profile. this is not that difficult to remove the top if you take your time. Now I don't know what type of neck joint you have created. I was assuming M&T bolt on. It this is the case adjustments will need to be made to the neck if the tenon is pre fitted and the mortise cut in the body. If using a dove tail, well the task is a bit more difficult

Neil, a deep body L-00 type would be known as a Nick Lucas, a very desirable guitar. Are you sure it is too deep?

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I would be interested to see how she sounds. I would go with it unless of course it was for someone else and supposed to be thinner.

My black topped L-OO is 4 3/8" at the tail and about 3 3/4" at the neck.

What is the sound hole diameter?

The guitar is not for anyone.

Sound hole dimension is 4".

Neil

I'd definitely build it up and see how it sounds. Might blow you away. John Calkin reported a build of an LMI OM kit in the summer 2003 edition of American Lutherie and left the body 4 7/8" at the butt and 4" at the headblock. He called it a "Magnum" and liked the way it sounded.
Terry

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

It should be a killer guitar !!!
Did you scallop the X 's ?
How thick is the top?
How tall are the braces??
Do you have pixs of the bracing?

Things that matter add up fast !

Go for it !
mike

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Mike Collins

5" at the tail is pretty thick if you ask me. I wouldn't want one that thick.

But it's really up to you.

Now, I don't like to disagree with folks but I'll have to disagree with Michael in that I would pull the back off instead of the top. I think it would not effect the neck joint at all if you pulled the back and removed material from the back side instead of the top side.

Pulling the back off isn't to hard. Unless you used CA to glue it on, most glues used will need some heat (and a bit of moisture to not crack the plate) to soften the glue in order to remove. Watch out for the braces though, they can come loose from the plate. Mind you once the plate and braces are off, you can clean it all up and re-glue.

Keep us posted as to what you're going to do.

The other thing to think of is a case. A small body guitar that deep will require a custom case I would think.

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Yea I actuall agree wit you Rod. A lot of things simplify as far as neck fir up by removing the back.

Why not glue on a bridge and try it out before finishing? If you like the sound remove the bridge and finish, if you don't trim it down to size.

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David White, Toronto

"All my favourite singers can't sing."

I like David's advice. Of course it might sound different with the finish on and as others have said we'd all like to know what something like that would sound like. Saves us some leg work.

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Ken Franklin
clumsy yet persistent
https://www.kenfranklinukulele.com

On the other hand, if you take off the back and trim it down to size it would give you some repair experience which is always informative.

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Ken Franklin
clumsy yet persistent
https://www.kenfranklinukulele.com

I recently completed an O sized guitar, with a tailpiece instead of a standard pinned bridge. It is 4" at the Heel,
4 3/4" at the tail, 3 5/8" dia soundhole. My guitar teacher thinks it sounds great. I'd go ahead and give it a try
as is...

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Gene

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