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Design Opportunity
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=47784		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  bcombs510 [ Tue May 17, 2016 11:17 am ]
Post subject:  Design Opportunity
Hello,

I'm not sure how I overlooked this, but there is a purfling mistake on the back of this latest build which is providing a unique opportunity for me to be creative. Below is a pic. I've already put the first coat of z-poxy on so I'm hoping to avoid going backward to try to fix it.

Attachment:
IMG_0607.JPG


My first thought was some type of decorative heel cap that would sit over top of the binding. It would create a bump on the back of the guitar though. Something like this:

Attachment:
Heel Cap.jpg


I'm wondering if anyone has seen a design like this before or if it perhaps has a name (I learned volute recently, maybe this type of heel cap has a special name :)). Doing an image search for "guitar neck heel cap" I didn't see any images of a heel cap that was not just flush or slightly short of the back of the guitar.

The binding scheme is Ebony with w/b strip. I thought about maybe a piece of ebony shaped to cover the area. I was planning to have the heel shape be a D shape, around 12-15mm wide or so.

Any hints on the heel cap approach or other ideas how to cover up would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Brad
Author:  johnparchem [ Tue May 17, 2016 11:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Design Opportunity
If I was to fix that I would lift the ends of the bindings using a heat gun and re-glue or just reset while hot so that it lines up. The end gap/design opportunity would make neck resets a real mess finish wise. I will bet you will lose nothing but a bit of time as the zpoxy is still in whatever pores it is in.

Looking at the picture you may be able to use a heat gun to heat the high binding and pull it down with tape. PVA is a bit thermoplastic so it will reset.
Author:  bcombs510 [ Tue May 17, 2016 11:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Design Opportunity
johnparchem wrote:
The end gap/design opportunity would make neck resets a real mess finish wise.


Of course! That would be a huge problem to deal with in a neck reset.

OK, I will try to fix it then. Thanks for the pointer about the neck reset!
Author:  Glen H [ Tue May 17, 2016 2:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Design Opportunity
More work maybe, but if that fix fails, put in a back center strip of ebony, mitering in with the white.
Author:  kencierp [ Tue May 17, 2016 5:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Design Opportunity
Was this a well executed embellishment or save -- we can't tell so that is a good thing.

Image
Author:  Joe Beaver [ Tue May 17, 2016 5:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Design Opportunity
I too would go with John's 'fix'. It looks like there is plenty of our purfling material to make it look good
Author:  dofthesea [ Tue May 17, 2016 9:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Design Opportunity
Thats san easy fix. Just scarf in a small piece or use a heat and work it and fix it. Could be as pretty quick fix.
Author:  Haans [ Sat May 21, 2016 7:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Design Opportunity
A heel cap like the one you are thinking of would only lead others to wonder what you are covering up.
Take a day off and think about it. Then fix it. You have one chance to get it right.
Author:  Nils [ Sat May 21, 2016 8:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Design Opportunity
So many times I have tried to make something look a little better, only to make it look a lot worse...I would leave it alone and try not to do it next time.
Author:  Pmaj7 [ Sun May 22, 2016 1:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Design Opportunity
What's going on there? Binding didn't get clamped down or purf channel was to big ? Close up pic?
Author:  Clay S. [ Sun May 22, 2016 6:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Design Opportunity
"I've already put the first coat of z-poxy on so I'm hoping to avoid going backward to try to fix it."

Choices:
1. Don't
2. Using a single edge razor blade cut the purfling lines loose, remove a sliver of wood from the back and push the lines into place.
3. Add a back strip
4. Scarf in a small section of purfling

I've done all those things at one time or another. All but the first choice can make it look worse (or better).
Author:  Terence Kennedy [ Sun May 22, 2016 9:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Design Opportunity
I have heated and realigned binding in that area. It works. Might have to scrape out some cement with a #11 blade or dental probe to get it aligned. Clamping tight would be easy with a long bar clamp and you could spot glue it with CA under direct vision.

That's what I think I'd try.
Author:  cleanheadsteve [ Wed May 25, 2016 9:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Design Opportunity
why not just make ur heel cap flush. u can route down the overlap area of the box so the cap fits in nice and snug. (p.s. i've never built a guitar in my life. still working on the basics : )

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