Official Luthiers Forum!

I have a few acoustics in progress, and several are at the stage where they have the rim sets together and the backs on.

Now I need to move, and I will be going to a different (drier) climate. Do I need to make sure the boxes are closed before I go, or can I just leave them as they are? Should I shrink wrap them first, to inhibit moisture transfer until I am good and ready to install tops?

The reason I ask is that I would like to try some new and different thing than I have done before in regards to scale length, and I don't want to rush through the planning stages just to get these tops on in the next couple of weeks.

I think you will be better off waiting until you are in the drier climate. Much better off. If the tops go concave, you wont have to remove them, and if they are fine off of the box, they will be fine on the box once glued on in the new place. Good luck with the move.

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http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

Hey Lincoln

Where are you moving?

Thanks
Blake

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Blake Dixon
Kelowna B.C.

I agree with Tony. I'd leave them off, let them get use to the new local and see what you have.

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

The dryer climate is better I would think for the glue up. Ideally they plates should both go on in the same climate environment.

However if you only have one plate on, me strongly suggest keeping the boxes in the mold with pressure blocks to maintain the shape and prevent the ribs from moving around. Usually for some reason they tend to move inwards, don't ask me why....but that is from experience. It then becomes a real hassle to get them back into square with the one plate. Leaving them blocked up in the mold or on the solara will prevent this warping from climate changes till you can get the other plate on.

Best bet would be to glue them plates on first, to keep the boxes in shape ~ even if its just a weak mix of HHG which you can then pop off and reinstall them properly at a later date.

I am currently looking a 4 boxes that all deformed over the winter because of climatic changes. And I do not relish doing the fix them.

Thats my 2 cent opinion. For further consoltation, please PM me for a price quote.


Blessings.

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Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


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Padma is back....

Thank you all for your thoughts and replies. Thanks for the tip on keeping the rim set square with only one plate, Padma. That was part of what worried me the most, so I'm glad I asked.

The least work I thought I could get away with would be shrink-wrapping what I have. The most would be gluing up rosettes, bracing tops, and closing up boxes like crazy, then level sanding everything, finish sanding to 220, and sealing with shellac. Is sealing necessary? I know it's only the outside of the box, but I seem to notice more stability in sealed boxes than unsealed.

I have glued everything up so far under 45% RH, and I plan to continue to do so. I'm not sure what "normal" is where I'm going, because I was not building guitars when I lived up there last, but I plan to wait a long time before gluing up another box. I'll work on necks and rosettes and things instead.

Blake, I'm going to Fort St John. About five hours north of Prince George. I'll miss the Fraser Valley a lot, but I have friends and family where I'm going, and more work opportunities. Say Hi to Mike for me. Keep in touch, ok? I want to know how things are going for both of you.

It's a tough call. If the new shop humidity is significantly drier
than your old place the backs *will* lose some dome and the
ribs *will* yawn if the tops are not in place.. still, I'd prefer to
wait till you're in the new shop to see what the unfinished
bodies want to do before attaching the tops, all things
considered.

Are you moving your business with you, Lincoln? I was hoping to drop in next time I was in BC to visit my daughter. Her boyfriend was a bush ranger near to where you are moving to. Best of luck with your move!

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Who's gonna be my hoop up at Bow River then? Do I need to come spend all my money before you go?

Meddling- Certainly, I think you need to come and spend all your money! David, or Eric, or Daniel (in that order) will be the best ones to help you out with future orders, although if you have a specific question about something, PM me here, and I will do my best. None of the others build guitars, but they do know wood and how to process it.

Alex- By all means come on down. No one else is leaving anytime soon. Saturdays are by appointment only, but the other days of the week are fair game. If you know which days you are going to have available, call ahead to make sure that someone can set aside whatever you are looking for in particular, as not everything is available all the time.

Carey- Thanks. I'm really leaning toward pushing myself to get the tops on, everything sanded to 220 (leveled first of course), and then cover everything with shellac just to slow down the transfer of moisture until I figure out what is going on with the humidity levels. I won't even do the binding- I just want to make sure I don't have to redo anything, or cause myself repairs.

Hey Lincoln

Really sorry to see you go. I just wanted to say you have been and continue too be a huge influence on me in regards to guitar building. Mike and I here in Kelowna have relied on your opinion, jigs, knowledge and of course friendship. We will miss you. On the other hand I too have spent a vast amount of time in the north working and playing in my younger years. I found my friends up there to be honest and very friendly. Very genuine. Enjoy and I hope to see you before you go. Thanks again for you kind approach and always friendly attitude

Blake and Mike from Kelowna

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Blake Dixon
Kelowna B.C.

Hi, Blake,

I'd love to catch up with you before we head out. Let me know when you can make it through, and I'll manage something. I'm out this weekend, and the week of the 12th will be beyond hectic, but before then would be great.

Lincoln

Hey Lincoln,

I just joined this forum after I called Bow River and heard that you are in the process of moving. I sent you a PM with a question but I wanted to say that I will really miss your picking out my wood for me. You've got a great eye for it and I've got nothing but great compliments from my customers about the tone of the tops you've selected and figure in the maple that you've sent me. I've been told to ask for Dave but it sounds like you were the only luthier at the company. I don't know what your plans are but if you get involved in selling archtop wood please let me know. All the best to you and your growing family!

Scott

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http://www.scottsguitars.net