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JSDenvir
 Post subject: My first guitar
PostPosted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:12 am 
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Joined: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:07 am
Posts: 802
Location: Cobourg ON
First name: Steve
Last Name: Denvir
City: Baltimore
State: ON
Zip/Postal Code: K0K 1C0
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Here goes. Yesterday, I picked up a billet of nice, straight-grained mahogany for the neck, EIR for the fretboard, and some AAA sitka for the soundboard.I figure that'll keep me busy for at least a little while.

I'm lucky. I have a full woodshop out in our 1-car garage, and have taught myself to make furniture over the past 10 years. I started with arts and crafts furniture, not only because I liked the look, but also because it was straight and square, and consequently a lot easier for a beginner. I've since branched out into making windsor chairs, the complete and utter antithesis to "straight and square":-)

And now it's time to try a guitar. I've got Cumpiano's book and you folks, so I think you can probably expect to be hearing a whole pile of newbie questions over the next little while.

Thanks to everyone in advance.

Steve
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Pat Foster
 Post subject: Re: My first guitar
PostPosted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:31 am 
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Joined: Sat May 17, 2008 1:11 pm
Posts: 2387
Location: Spokane, Washington
First name: Pat
Last Name: Foster
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Welcome, Steve! You're in for a rewarding journey!

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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LanceK
 Post subject: Re: My first guitar
PostPosted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 1:12 pm 
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Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2004 5:02 am
Posts: 8553
Location: United States
First name: Lance
Last Name: Kragenbrink
City: Vandercook Lake
State: Michigan
Zip/Postal Code: 49203
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
Hi Steve!
You've come to the right place!
Welcome to the OLF!

Make sure to keep us posted as your guitar comes together! We love pictures!
Also, be sure to check Cumpiano's website for updates to his book.

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Mike Collins
 Post subject: Re: My first guitar
PostPosted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 4:09 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:10 pm
Posts: 2485
Location: Argyle New York
First name: Mike/Mikey/Michael/hey you!
Last Name: Collins
City: Argyle
State: New York
Zip/Postal Code: 12809
Country: U.S.A. /America-yea!!
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
There's nothing (legal) that's as exciting as
planning & making a guitar !!

Go for it!!!!!! [:Y:]

You have definately come to the right place for any assistance or just to ask questions!!!

Welcome
Mike

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Mike Collins
 Post subject: Re: My first guitar
PostPosted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 4:09 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:10 pm
Posts: 2485
Location: Argyle New York
First name: Mike/Mikey/Michael/hey you!
Last Name: Collins
City: Argyle
State: New York
Zip/Postal Code: 12809
Country: U.S.A. /America-yea!!
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
There's nothing (legal) that's as exciting as
planning & making a guitar !!

Go for it!!!!!! [:Y:]

You have definately come to the right place for any assistance or just to ask questions!!!

Welcome
Mike

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Mike Collins
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Chris aka Sniggly
 Post subject: Re: My first guitar
PostPosted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 4:15 pm 
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Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:01 pm
Posts: 1655
Location: Jacksonville Florida
First name: Chris
City: Jacksonville
State: Florida
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I'll welcome you too. Your story sounds exactly like mine in almost every respect. I am done with the sound box and am working on the neck (my first guitar).

There are lots of people here that can provide you with lots of good information. Almost everyone is willing to share...

I'll add one other thing....guitar building demands an exactness that can sometimes be...maddening gaah. Be prepared to do things over and don't get mad when you screw something up (like me).

If I had it to do over again (my first and the approach to my first)...I'd buy two of EVERYTHING!
[uncle]

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Hesh
 Post subject: Re: My first guitar
PostPosted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 6:54 am 
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Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
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Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:49 am
Posts: 13553
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
First name: Hesh
Last Name: Breakstone
City: Ann Arbor
State: Michigan
Country: United States
Status: Professional
Steve welcome to the OLF! [:Y:] [clap] [clap] [clap]

It sounds like you are very nearly ready to take the leap into the wonderful world of guitar building. My suggestion to you would be to read up a bit in the archives here about the importance of proper humidity control and get something in place in your intended work area. Humidity control is a must for guitar building.

Welcome again.
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Flori F.
 Post subject: Re: My first guitar
PostPosted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 11:23 am 
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Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2008 11:13 am
Posts: 281
Location: Los Angeles
Welcome!

I just built my first and offer only one tip: Radius your bridge to match the radius of your top.
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JSDenvir
 Post subject: Re: My first guitar
PostPosted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 8:23 pm 
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Joined: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:07 am
Posts: 802
Location: Cobourg ON
First name: Steve
Last Name: Denvir
City: Baltimore
State: ON
Zip/Postal Code: K0K 1C0
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Thanks everyone, I've found the updates to Cumpiano's book and they make a lot of sense. Having said that, I've dovetailed drawers by hand, and I'm used to working to pretty tight tolerances. Should I be dovetailing my neck joint? I realize that there are great debates about dovetailed/bolted neck joints, but what makes the most sense for a newbie?

And BTW, thank you to everyone for the very generous welcome. You have no idea how trying I'm going to be over the next while :-)

Steve
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WaddyThomson
 Post subject: Re: My first guitar
PostPosted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 11:12 am 
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Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:05 am
Posts: 9191
Location: United States
First name: Waddy
Last Name: Thomson
City: Charlotte
State: NC
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
Welcome, Steve. I have no advice on dovetails, but you'll get a lot of good answers here at OLF. I got invaluable help on my first.

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