Thread: #1 Acoustic Build

Hi Steve,

You do get a build of finish with subsequent coats, but depending on the timber, these need to be built up in thin layers, to allow cure of each. Hence the need to wipe off excess.

As said, some timbers, any excess just remains as a gummy mess even after days. Doesn't sound as if you have that problem though.

I am planning on French Polish for mine, which has its own set of problems.

regards

Woohoo!

Got some strings on today and it didn't fold in half when I tuned it up and it even kinda sounded like a guitar!

Thanks for the info Alastair, I got a couple of coats of wax over the Danish Oil and it looks ok. Worked on the saddle and nut today to get the action about right and have now removed the strings to finish off the fret ends and oil the fret board.

Not a great deal of info on finishing the frets on the DVD so I'll have to do a little more research in that area.

I also realised that I really should be putting a pick guard on it. I hadn't planned to include a pick guard but I've already damaged the soundboard just anchoring my hand when fingerpicking...

No photo unfortunately, too much plucking of strings.

Finished off and polished up the nut and saddle today then got stuck into the fret ends. I filed them a little and followed that up with some 600g paper to get rid of the file marks, some unknown grit scouring pad and then polished up with steel wool. They came up alright.

Realised for the next build that I should sand the fretboard to final finish before the frets are installed. I'd only sanded it to 220g this time and I think it could have looked a lot better. It's now been Lemon Oiled and ready to go.

I've also ordered a number of pickguards including a clear one that I think is probably the one that will get used. They should be here next week to finish it off but for now I'm calling it done.

Here's a look, wish I was a better photographer, need to find a less drab looking location.

Attachment 158618Attachment 158619Attachment 158620Attachment 158621

Thanks for all the help Gents, it's been very much appreciated and I look forward to getting underway on the next one!

Looking really good Steve.

regards

How cool is that ,
looks great, how does it sound ? and whats it like to play?
Rob

came up a treat, nice and clean

Thanks guys.

Rob, it sounds great and plays well at this stage. Indications are that it will move a little over the first few weeks so I'll expect to make some adjustments then for fine tuning. The neck still feels a little thicker than I'm used to playing so it might take me some time to get completely comfortable with it. I will definitely try to go thinner on the next one.

All in all, pretty happy with the outcome at this stage!

Really nice work Steve, feels pretty good to play one you built yourself, isn't it. I know you had some trouble with your binding, and I just ordered some glue that I have'nt tried before, but it sounds like it might be a big help when binding. It's fish glue, saw O'Brien using it on U-Tube to install his bindings and I started doing some checking. Turns out that it has an open time of 1 to 2 hours, depending on temp., but needs clamping of 12 hours. It's supposed to have more strength than hot hide glue, and like hide glue can be reactivated. I've got some on order, I'll let you know how it works. Are you planning your next build yet? Cheers, Mike

Love the colour and the finish Steve. Looks amazing.

Cheers

Manny

Good job mate. Its come up really nice

Inspirational stuff Steve. Very satisfying to see the end result.

cheers
Steve

Thanks Gents, I appreciated the comments.

Must admit Mike that it is pretty good to give it a strum and hear some success. The fish glue sounds like it would stink pretty bad!

The next guitar will probably be a similar shape with the Blackheart Sassafras back and sides. Not sure on the soundboard or neck yet but probably stick with Qld Maple for the neck.

Unfortunately I've got to knock out a new bed before the next guitar project. I've been promising the bed for about 2 years now and kept sneaking projects in front of it...

Still waiting on the clear plastic pick guard to arrive. Once that's on the guitar I'll be giving it a solid workout.

I got the clear pick guard on and it looks pretty good.

Used my digital camera to record a little video playing it but found it was over 100Mb for about 15 seconds of playing and the way the forum is performing at the moment I won't even try uploading something like that.

So all you get is a photo with the pick guard attached...

I don't play well anyway, but the guitar is sounding great.

Attachment 159443

Here's my first attempt at an internet video. I've no idea how to embed it so looks like you just get a link.

http://vimeo.com/19348447

It was shot with my Canon 550D and the onboard mic so the quality is fantastic.

I think I already mentioned that I'm a probably a better woodworker than I am guitarist. I suspect I'm a better guitarist than I am videographer...