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My First Classical Build - Finally Done!
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=25941		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Dave Fifield [ Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:49 am ]
Post subject:  My First Classical Build - Finally Done!
I finally got my first classical guitar built, finished nicely (after an abortive first attempt I had to sand it right back to bare wood and start over [headinwall] ), and all strung up and setup properly, ready to deliver to it's new owner tomorrow! I think she'll be pleased - it sounds really nice to my ears - seems to have good even tone across the whole fretboard, and is plenty loud enough :D

I call it my model HD-1 (Hauser Derivative #1) since it's based on the 1937 Hauser shape with some John Bogdanovich inspired adjustments to the design. It has a mortise and tenon bolt on one-piece mahogany neck (with a carbon fiber rod in it) that's disguised to look like Spanish heel construction, body built in a dish rather than on a solera, EIRW back and sides, spruce top (I forget whether it's Engleman or Lutz now....either way, it's a truly wonderful soundboard), ebony bindings, ebony fingerboard, BRW bridge, spalted maple headplate and rosette, zipflex blue paua purfling back and front and around the rosette, Schaller tuners, D'Addario strings, Z-Poxy fill, Enduro pre-catalized urethane finish.

Click on the pictures to see the high-res versions. Enjoy.

Image

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I'll try to get a recording of a real guitarist playing it and put it up in this thread shortly. Thanks for looking.

Cheers,
Dave F.
Author:  Matthew Jenkins [ Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My First Classical Build - Finally Done!
Dave,
That's a very beautiful guitar, congratulations [clap] [clap] [clap]
I'm absolutely sure the owner will love it.
The zipflex is really very tasteful, understated and suits the guitar.
Excellent!!
Mat
Author:  Colin North [ Mon Feb 08, 2010 4:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My First Classical Build - Finally Done!
Dave, that's a beauty. It looks very well executed.
Keep up the good work!
I look forwards to the soundclip arriving.
Author:  Hesh [ Mon Feb 08, 2010 6:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My First Classical Build - Finally Done!
Outstanding Dave!!! She's a beauty and you did a great job my friend!!!
Author:  Dave Fifield [ Mon Feb 08, 2010 7:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My First Classical Build - Finally Done!
Thanks for the kind words guys! I can't wait to see Jamie's face when she opens the case tomorrow :D

A quick question - it's been strung up for about 12 hours now, the wirewound strings have stopped stretching and are staying in tune, but the nylon strings seem to still be stretching....the rate of stretch has slowed down a lot, but it doesn't seem like they'll stop for at least another 12 hours or more. Is this normal? I have no frame of reference, having never strung up a classical guitar before today! How long the nylon strings continue to stretch and go flat?

Cheers,
Dave F.
Author:  Jim Kirby [ Mon Feb 08, 2010 7:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My First Classical Build - Finally Done!
Dave, they won't be stable for about a week. They don't get changed often the way steel string guitars are. Some people change the wound strings but leave the unwound strings on for much longer lengths of time.
Author:  douglas ingram [ Mon Feb 08, 2010 8:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My First Classical Build - Finally Done!
Like Jim says, they take about a week to start to settle down. Try over stretching them a bit and relaxing them back to pitch.
Author:  Peter J [ Mon Feb 08, 2010 10:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My First Classical Build - Finally Done!
Beautiful work Dave !!! Very nice and the zipflex sets off the ebony binding quite well. The rosette looks great and the silking on the top is beautiful. Nice wood selection and keep up the great work.

In regards to the strings; like Doug says, stretch them a bit and they will settle much more quickly. Pull each of the unwound strings up about an inch of displacement from it's at-rest position and then tune again. Do this a few times over the course of the first few days and they should be great.
Author:  Randolph [ Mon Feb 08, 2010 10:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My First Classical Build - Finally Done!
Dave, it's beautiful and exciting. Congratulations! I love the rosette and bearishclaw top.
[clap] [clap] [clap] [clap]
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Mon Feb 08, 2010 11:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My First Classical Build - Finally Done!
Nice job Dave. Good looking instrument. Everyone is right about the strings.
Author:  Bailey [ Mon Feb 08, 2010 11:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My First Classical Build - Finally Done!
Another beauty! Zip flex ..very tasteful.
Yep....a week for the strings to totally stretch....However, most of the loss in intonation on fresh strings are the wraps themselves not clinching tight. I always do a string pull on each string a few times after they get strung up. This tightens the wraps on the peghead and bridge Do one string at a time...just pull it to add additional tension and retune. Takes about 6 times and that minimizes the issue.
Don't pull real hard. It doesn't take much...and you'll see what I mean.
Kent
Author:  SteveCourtright [ Mon Feb 08, 2010 12:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My First Classical Build - Finally Done!
Very lovely work, esp. the rosette. Can't wait to hear it!
Author:  Mike Collins [ Mon Feb 08, 2010 4:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My First Classical Build - Finally Done!
dave-absolutely beautiful guitar!
And workmanship!
Did you leave alot of windings on the treble string posts?
Use very little on those 3 strings -it helps them to settle in faster.
The more windings you have the longer it takes for them to settle because the windings keep tightning up like a knot.

Keep up the good work!
Author:  Dave Fifield [ Tue Feb 09, 2010 3:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My First Classical Build - Finally Done!
Thanks guys! Jamie, the new owner, was over the moon (mainly because it was finally finished, I think!) when I delivered it to her yesterday. She seemed to know all about breaking in a new set of strings. Mike - I had 2 turns on the nylon strings (pure luck) and 3 turns on the wirewound ones, so I think that'll work out fine. I think Jamie's taking the guitar to her group class today. She seems to think I'll get more orders from the people at her college.....we'll see!

Onwards. I'm building two OM-C guitars next. Looking forward to using some exceptional woods on those....

Cheers,
Dave F.
Author:  James A. [ Tue Feb 09, 2010 3:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My First Classical Build - Finally Done!
That rosette is among the most gorgeous I have seen. Great looking guitar.
Author:  Blain [ Tue Feb 09, 2010 8:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My First Classical Build - Finally Done!
Very nice David!

Your first classical looks like it could be your 100th.
Author:  Robbie_McD [ Tue Feb 09, 2010 11:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My First Classical Build - Finally Done!
Wow!!!!
Great job - wish my #1 Classical looked like that :oops:
Love the rosette as well - that is inspiring.
Post a pic of your headstock if you get around to it.
Thanks for posting!!!
Author:  Wes Paul [ Wed Feb 10, 2010 2:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My First Classical Build - Finally Done!
beautiful top! looks great!
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