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Hi all, I have just started my very first guitar and am working on a classical. The time has come for me to figure out what to do with the rosette. I could just buy one, as there are many very pretty rosettes for sale in various places, but I would rather make it myself, because I am stubborn that way.

I have found that LMI sells rosette sticks, which would be ideal, but they are .8mm at the smallest, and that doesn't give you a very detailed rosette. In coming up with on in Illustrator at 9x8 size tiles (which is what Cumpiano suggests), the only designs I can see look like I am playing my old Atari 2600.

It seems to me that I need to find smaller ones, and do something more like 18x20 or something like that. That may give me more detail to work with. LMI also sells veneer strips which are thinner and might work, but they are kinda pricey and it would add a step as well. However they might be what I want

I can't seem to find anywhere else that even sells this kind of stuff.

Suggestions?

I cant help much as I have never done one of these, but a fellow over on luthiercom has a great thread on making one, it may help you out.
http://www.luthiercom.org/phpBB3/viewto ... =22&t=1624

Yeah I have been following his thread. Actually he is the one I got my kit from, and I have been documenting my own build over there on this thread.

But, I didnt really want to make a whole huge log of rosettes like he is doing, I only needed 1...

Hey Baldrick

For a first rosette, 0.8 sticks is good. Actually, there are many luthiers (including me) who use 1mm pieces.

Unless you have some experience in inlaying or fine woodworking, I suggest you start with the 0.8 sticks. Remember that the smaller the sticks, the tougher it is to get a good mosaic. It's better to have a well executed but simple mosaic design than an elaborate one that looks fuzzy. It may look simple to do, but it does take a bit of practice to get it right.

Good luck

Pat

Well you could make a thicknessing tool and take the strips down to what thickness you want.
viewtopic.php?f=10117&t=23475
Good and I'll say a must read for doing Spanish Rosettes is Eugene Clarks 2 part artical in AL#71,#73.
Also a helpful tool for design is here.
http://gicl.cs.drexel.edu/people/sevy/l ... ierie.html
Color rosette applet.
Some more reading.
http://schrammguitars.com/rosettemaking.html
http://www.cumpiano.com/Home/Classes/Ro ... amson.html
http://www.connorguitars.com/links_tips/rosettes.html

There are some awsome youtube videos on producing classical rosettes. Go there and search for them.

Thanks for the links... I assume AL is American Luthier? I wonder if I could find that in a library around here...

Here's a useful rosette tool. Allows you to change to 20 x 30, 10 x 20, whatever including color changes.

http://gicl.cs.drexel.edu/people/sevy/l ... tware.html

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Bobby Masten

Yes, American Lutherie. The last time I checked #71 was out of print from GAL back issues.
http://www.luth.org/backissues/al69-72/al71.htm
But not #73
http://www.luth.org/backissues/al73-76/al73.htm
I had a kind OLF member send me a copy of the artical in #71. It appears that #71 is still out of print. I'd send you a copy but I think a copy of the original would be better then a copy of my copy. You might try contacting GAL about it. I did but did not get any reply if I remember correctly.

oops! Guess I should read others posts more closely as the jar app was already posted.

_________________
Bobby Masten

I buy regular veneer, usually from Constantines, cut it into strips and sand it to .5mm strips for making rosette logs for tiles. Here is a log I just completed. This is the only log I make, so it is pretty simple, but the principle is the same.

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

But yours has some other interesting stuff too.

Many of the tiles shown in Clarke's article are small; 7-10 tiles on a side, iirc. If you're not trying to get too 'pictorial' you can get some nice effects this way. Remember, that, for most folks, it's what the rosette looks like from three feet back that counts. Neatness, and a nice ue of color, are more important than a fancy design.

When I do end grain stuff, I, too, use commercial veneers, that come .5mm thick. I cut the strips about 1.5mm wide, and make up the layers at that thickness. Then I plane them down to .5 thick in a holding jig, and glue up the layers. It makes it easier to get neat results, IMO. I also prefer to use HHG for this. The combination of good initial tack and shrinkage means that if you get the strips/layers pretty well lined up they will end up better than you thought they would.

Just a update.
I just learned from Kurt over at GAL that the back issue of #71 is out of print but you can purchase a Photo copy of the issue. Just order it on the order page and you will see it as a note. $10 an issue for members.
I ordered the #71 issue and a Torres plan.

Thanks for all the info guys. Really appreciate it. I think one thing that has me confused the most is dimensions. They seem to vary enough (size of tile, depth of rosette, width of rosette etc..) that I am unsure of what to do exactly. The plan I have been using is the Robert Bouchet 1961, but my guide book is Cumpiano, and when they dont agree on specifics (which is often as you could imagine) I take it to mean there is a lot of variation possible. This however just makes me unsure as to what to follow, since im such a noobie.

The AL's will also be of some help there as well. There are some basic layout in a way as to the field and the inner and outer bands. That is if you are going for a some what traditional Spanish Rosette. The rosette use to be like a label as with the head design. The 71 and 73 really are a good place to start. Like I said, "A must read." The Spanish Rosette is an art form in itself if you ask me. Just like Inlay and carving. If you want to see a really interesting take on it check out Alan Carruth's website and get a look at his basket weave rosettes. They knock my socks off.