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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Queensland
    Age
    50
    Posts
    63

    Default Tasmanian oak and Jarrah guitar build.

    These build threads are interesting.
    I personally find it fascinating to see how people go about the task of building a musical instrument.
    At the moment I'm working out of a 40ft container with no power and figuring out my work areas as I progress on this build.
    My specialty is acoustics but while I build the jigs and presses etc, I'm building a few electrics.
    A word of warning, I don't use sharp whizzy things that bite, I've seen what they do, so some of this thread will make you roll your eyes.
    This guitar is based on an ES335 in shape only, there is no plan as I'm drawing them as I build.
    The main part of the body is Tasmanian oak and due to the top being quite different I've elected to build this more as a chambered body rather than semi-acoustic.
    All aboard!
    To remove the internal mass I used my trusty rechargeable drill, then filed it down close to my lines.
    I wanted to route the inside top and back with a dovetail bit to give the look of solid kerfing but opted to run a large bevel instead. Where the top plate will attach I want a large gluing surface, the back not so much and I'm after a little weight reduction too.
    hmm, suddenly my device likes to post pics upside down.
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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Queensland
    Age
    50
    Posts
    63

    Default

    This model is my plaything, its the one where I get to do things a little differently.
    The top for instance begins with some 6mm x 6mm Tasmanian oak and some 7mm x 2mm Jarrah binding.
    3 lengths of the jarrah are glued together to give me a size of 7mm x 6mm. Just 1mm over the Tassie oak.
    Now the fun really begins....
    I've setup a little mitrebox to handcut these lengths on the 45 degree at 30mm long.
    When you put them together....
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  4. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    blue mountains
    Posts
    4,882

    Default

    Pulled up a chair and watching.
    Regards
    John

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Queensland
    Age
    50
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    63

    Default

    The cutting process is quite basic but very tedious and a little hard on the fingers.
    Already I'm aware that I've made an error in my calculations by not multiplying by two.
    So only enough material for one half now.
    In case my cutting becomes out of square at some point I'm assembling these lengths
    as I go.
    Each piece gets a corresponding line drawn across it on the 45degree to help with alignment at the gluing stage.
    I've got two lengths of pine running parallel to each other with another piece clamped on top to keep it from lifting, now its a matter of gluing the first houndstooth piece together lining up all the markers and then slotting the next pieces in after that.
    Sounds pretty simple and I wish my notes reflected that.
    One down alot to go!
    The prototype body I built awhile back surprisingly had quite a bit of tone and it pales in comparison to this build. I was expecting it to be tonally dead but somewhere along the line it comes alive.
    Ehh, got my eye on some nice pickups that'll help.
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  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Queensland
    Age
    50
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    63

    Default

    Hey John, hope it's a real comfy chair as this could take awhile.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Queensland
    Age
    50
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    63

    Default

    I'm a little bit more advanced in the build then where we are here, this is just catching up and things will slow down soon.
    Running the houndstooth 40degrees from centreline, this gives it an even appearance top to bottom.
    Each section has been roughened with 80grit sandpaper before being glued to its mate.
    I've roughly taken the 1mm extra height away from the Jarrah sections to get a better visual of the joins.
    Much later there will be some inlay work where the pattern meets the centre strip.
    It's not finished but I've mirrored the image to see how well its going to look.
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  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Queensland
    Age
    50
    Posts
    63

    Default

    Spent the past few days making my truss rod channel jig.
    The neck is held in place with 2 screws at the heel end with the headstock i have the option of a clamp or i can screw mount via machinehead holes.
    Can't wait to take it for a spin.
    As I will be using the same headstock for electric and acoustic builds, it maybe possible to remove a section of the rails the neck sits on for the acoustic heel to pass through.
    A majority of the jigs I'm yet to build will be painted red like this one, keeps my color scheme going.
    I'm not a big fan of lots of pine/plywood in the workshop either.
    Anyway that's where I'm at.
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  9. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Queensland
    Age
    50
    Posts
    63

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    Stage 1 of the top is complete, once attached to the main bodý I can begin stage 2.
    it's should start looking like a guitar soon.
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  10. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Strathalbyn South Australia
    Posts
    1,141

    Default

    Looks fantastic Kirby! Well done.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Warragul Vic
    Posts
    1,093

    Default

    Hope you are not going to paint it after all that effort!! JUST KIDDING!!
    Maybe clear lacquer will do

    Well done ... looks great!

    Euge

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Queensland
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    50
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    63

    Default

    Paint it...no, but I was thinking a nice beech veneer over it would look.....

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Queensland
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    50
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    63

    Default

    It's taken a little longer than expected but it now begins to look like a guitar.
    both the top and back are attached and flush trimmed.
    Still flat on the face and back as the routing will be done before the shaping process.
    A little weighty but there's a fair amount of timber to remove yet.
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  14. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Strathalbyn South Australia
    Posts
    1,141

    Default

    Looks great Kirby! It’s going to be a fantastic looking guitar once it’s all done!

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Queensland
    Age
    50
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    63

    Default

    Thanks Cal, so far it's coming along as planned and can't wait to see it carved and sealed.

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Queensland
    Age
    50
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    63

    Default

    Update time.
    Body is now routed for pickups, all holes drilled for hardware and electrics.
    Single jarrah bound front and back. That was fun!,
    Keeping the electrics rather basic as I didn't want to drill too many holes is this top, 1 tone, 1 volume and a 3 way switch is all it needs, strategic placement of controls so as not to interfere with the pattern.
    Control knobs are Tassie oak with Jarrah caps and the veneer bar hopefully will be the supports for the pickups.
    Neck pocket will be routed shortly as well as rear cavity.
    The binding channel was easier to route before shaping the top and back, nice and flat surface versus curved.
    The top of binding now lets me know the edge finish height.
    So progress is being made and patiently waiting to carve the arches.....
    oh yeah, dropped in the final jarrah lines to the top as well.
    Attached Images Attached Images

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