Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi Everybody,
I am building my first SJ model using the Michael Payne plan and was wondering if anyone had any tips or advice? Currently I am at the point where I am contouring the rim. This is my 3rd guitar, but first SJ.

Thanks,

John
Wimberley, TX

As I see you're from Wimberley, the very best advice I can give you is to go seek out Jamie Kinscherff. I'm sure you'll get more detailed answers here shortly, but there's nothing like hooking up with a local established luthier.

Looks like his website hasn't been updated since 2005, though? Wonder what's up? If you get in touch with him, send him over OLF way, will ya?

http://www.kinscherff.com/index.html

Now to more directly answer your question, what tools do yo have at your disposal? Most here will likely use a radius dish for final profiling of the rims for ease and consistency. However, this job can be done with little more than a block plane, if the purchase or making of a radius dish is out of your scope right now. Even with a dish, a block plane is usually the quickest and easiest method of getting a full depth rim set down close for sanding.

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Wes McMillian
Santo, TX
http://www.wesmcmillian.com

Hi John,

I built one over the winter. It is a nice playing guitar. Can't think of anything out of the ordinary to warn you about. Some have opined the bracing per the plans is a little heavy, but you can tweak to your preference. I built mine with a WRC top and used the plan bracing. It sounded terrific. If you have built two guitars, you should be able to handle this one without problems. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions along the way.

It's a great guitar. Good luck with the build! Below is a link to my finished SJ:

viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=22536

Ken

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http://www.casperguitar.com