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Jaybird's challenge build--DONE & video posted
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10133&t=37205
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Author:  Jaybird840 [ Wed Sep 05, 2012 6:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Jaybird's challenge build

Go bar time.... I was fortunate to make a good trade for a Shopsmith a couple of weeks back. It's amazing what you can do with power tools!! 28 go-bar rods .25"x.75"x36" from half a WRC 2x4 in about ten minutes!! Let the gluing begin!!!

Author:  Jaybird840 [ Wed Sep 05, 2012 10:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Jaybird's challenge build

First use of the new go bars... Welcome to the shop, Mr. Goldberg! Gluing up the back reinforcement strips on the three piece back....

Author:  Jaybird840 [ Tue Sep 11, 2012 7:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Jaybird's challenge build

Spent some time early this morning fitting the neck block. The curved upper bout is a PITA, but I love the way they look when properly executed. Hopefully I can get this fit perfectly and glued up tonight. The tailblock is flat, and should go in much easier. Onward!!

Author:  SteveSmith [ Tue Sep 11, 2012 9:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Jaybird's challenge build

Looks good so far. Bolt on or dovetail?

Author:  Jaybird840 [ Sat Sep 15, 2012 5:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Jaybird's challenge build

Steve,

The neck will be a butt joint bolt-on. I got both end blocks installed, and started radiusing the back/side joint. I don't have a sandpaper disc for my radius dish, so I'm just using a couple of sheets of 60 grit. Here's a pic.....

Also, this may be the first use of bookmatched mesquite for lining material. The strips will get their edges rounded with a router bit, and then I'll cut the kerfs and split the strips in two to make a pair for the front and a pair for the back. Enjoy!

Author:  Jaybird840 [ Tue Sep 18, 2012 6:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Jaybird's challenge build

Time for another early morning build session.... Top linings glued on.

Author:  SteveSmith [ Tue Sep 18, 2012 6:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Jaybird's challenge build

So how early was that - you're getting artsy on us :lol:

Author:  Jaybird840 [ Tue Sep 18, 2012 7:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Jaybird's challenge build

Steve,
Looks like we're up about the same time. I usually roll out between 4:30 and 5:00. I have to be in the office by 7. It seems to be the only time I can get anything done. I try to work out M/W/F mornings, and build T/Th/Sat mornings. Sunday is a day of rest..... It sure is hard to build a guitar in 30 minute increments, tho. --Jay

Author:  SteveSmith [ Tue Sep 18, 2012 8:37 am ]
Post subject:  Jaybird's challenge build

I hear ya on the 30 min increments but sometimes that's all I get too. Since I reorganized the shop I've found it is a lot easier to make progress when I only have small bits of time.

Author:  Jaybird840 [ Wed Sep 19, 2012 5:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Jaybird's challenge build

Inching forward..... Got one side lined and flat. Here it is set on top of the back, so that it looks further along than it is.... :D The other set of linings is lying on the mold just begging to be glued in. I'm about to post a topic on the main board with a question I have about side tapering.....

Author:  Tony_in_NYC [ Thu Sep 20, 2012 7:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Jaybird's challenge build

Nice rosette. Nice bear claw top too!

Author:  Jaybird840 [ Tue Sep 25, 2012 6:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Jaybird's challenge build

I found a little time early in the mornings this week to get a little bit of work done. All the linings are in, the back is braced, and has been inlet into the sides. I still need to shape the braces and clean up the fit, but I'm not far off from gluing the back on. Dave F. just lasered some new labels for me, so I'll have time to clean everything up and get started bracing the top before I can glue the back on. Glad I started August 5!!!! It's starting to look like a guitar.

Author:  Dave Fifield [ Tue Sep 25, 2012 2:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Jaybird's challenge build

It's looking good Jay! Labels will be in the mail tomorrow am. :)

Cheers,
Dave F.

Author:  Jaybird840 [ Tue Sep 25, 2012 2:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Jaybird's challenge build

Dave, you're the best... Thanks!

Author:  Jaybird840 [ Mon Oct 01, 2012 9:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Jaybird's challenge build

Labels arrived yesterday from Dave F.--what a genius (Dave, that is!) It took me 7 iterations of the label design 'til I got one I was happy with. I don't have much talent for graphic design, so I just kept shooting in the dark until I found something I liked. Dave did 6 each of the labels in Alder and Bloodwood.
Attachment:
Label 1.JPG

So tell me, which orientation do you like better for the mesquite parlor? Horizontal Alder?
Attachment:
Label 2.JPG

Horizontal Bloodwood?
Attachment:
Label 3.JPG

Vertical Alder/Bloodwood? (viewed 'straight' if the guitar is being played) If I go with the horizontal version, I'll inlet it into the back strips. Man, I'm happy with these! Thanks Dave!!!
Attachment:
Label 4.JPG

Attachment:
Label 5.JPG

Author:  Bryan Bear [ Mon Oct 01, 2012 11:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Jaybird's challenge build

I'm almost too jealous of those labels to vote, but I say horizontal alder. Nice work so far!

Author:  Tony_in_NYC [ Mon Oct 01, 2012 11:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Jaybird's challenge build

Yup. Those labels are very nice. I would ask Dave to laser me up some with my logo but a dude on the AGF said my logo was not suitable for a guitar. He said it was OK for a website maybe, but not to put on the instrument itself. I'm off to go cry in my beer. I know, alcohol never solved anything, but neither did milk so leave me alone.
Nice labels though. Very classy and if there is one thing I know, it's class. Take a look at my house:
Image

and my entertainment room:
Image

and my classy Christmas decorations:
Image

My point is, I know classy. Clearly.

Author:  Bryan Bear [ Mon Oct 01, 2012 11:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Jaybird's challenge build

Tony, a few more posts like that one and I may start caring about your Uke.

Author:  SteveSmith [ Tue Oct 02, 2012 6:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Jaybird's challenge build

Nice labels, I vote for the horizontal alder too.

Author:  Jaybird840 [ Thu Oct 04, 2012 10:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Jaybird's challenge build

Rube Goldberg gobar deck--part deux. Back is on now for better or worse.... Can't wait to unspring this contraption in the morning to start cleaning up squeeze out. Sorry for the crappy pic. Lighting suxx in the garage.

Author:  Tony_in_NYC [ Thu Oct 04, 2012 10:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Jaybird's challenge build

Excellent use of space! You gotta love Rube!
By the way, go with the vertical label. Either one looks great.

Author:  Jaybird840 [ Sun Oct 07, 2012 9:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Jaybird's challenge build

Back is on and trimmed flush.... Gotta love a router! Back and sides are complete, short of a little back brace shaving. The sound is still a little bit tight. On to the top!
Attachment:
back complete.JPG
Attachment:
finished back on.JPG

Author:  WudWerkr [ Sun Oct 07, 2012 9:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Jaybird's challenge build

Looking good ! [:Y:] Like the labels as well , either one works as far as im concerned !

Author:  Jaybird840 [ Thu Oct 11, 2012 6:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Jaybird's challenge build

Awake at 4am again.... This morning, I slotted and rough tapered the fingerboard. The Stew-Mac fret slotting jig made this easy-breezy. Guess what it's made of? Yeah.... that's right.... Mesquite! It has a Janka of around 2800, so it should be perfectly suitable for a fretboard. I think my total materials up to this point are around $40. The glare in the photo washes out the grain--it will be pretty when oiled. --Jay

Author:  Jaybird840 [ Tue Oct 16, 2012 6:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Jaybird's challenge build

Up early again... For inlay, I decided to keep it simple. The fretboard got 3/32" abalone side marker dots installed in the face of the fretboard for a tiny bit of bling. After radiusing the fretboard, I fashioned a slot depth gauge by double-sticky taping my favorite Starrett rule to the side of the fret saw at the correct depth. Here's a shot of the raw fretboard after radiusing and cutting the slots to the correct depth.

Attachment:
IMG_0360.JPG


The second is a shot of the board swiped with Naptha--good color! I also glued up the fretboard binding (not pictured). I'm starting to feel the pressure of the end of November approaching!

Attachment:
IMG_0361.JPG

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