Thanks guys! I will have to see, I had thought about some kind of design. I will let you know the outcome tonight.
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Roberto-Venn: The Dream Starts...
- Thread starter Thumpin_P
- Start date
Well...sorry for the delay, Thursday and Friday were bad days. Long and the short of it, I had to sacrifice the end of the neck. 21 frets, versus 22. No big deal, but, I used the sander to trim off the last bit, after the bandsaw. In the process, I rounded one side of the neck pocket, which was not good. I will update more after Monday's class. I will also have pictures. Thanks for watching,
Thumpin_P
Thumpin_P
Okay,
Today was a lot of progress, sort of. but first, let me catch you guys up about Thursday and Friday. I made a couple of mistakes Thursday, which really set me off. When I rounded the one side of the neck, that meant that I needed to make a custom template for routing the neck pocket. I started to work, trying once, twice,...etc., stopping after five. I had had enough for the day. I then changed course, focusing on doing the roundovers and the comfort carve on the back of the body. Note to self: never carve with a rasp, when you are frustrated. It will bring you nothing but anguish. I screwed the comfort carve up, by carving one spot too much. Most of the carve looks pretty good, except for this one spot. I will try to fix this later. I did have one bit of good stuff on Thursday, which I should be proud of, but, at the moment, the bad stuff overshadowed anything else.
We started, in small groups, to carve the back braces, to give them their final shape. When it was all said and done, the back is now...
DONE!!!!
I am now very pleased with that.
Friday, I continued working on the neck pocket template. Looking at these pictures, I don't think that this is the completed one, I think this is six. I am close, yes, but I wanted to get even closer. To me, there cannot be "good enough".
I did finally get it on number seven. Using some MDF for the straight edges of the neck, and keeping them in place on the template, for guides, carefully sanding the corners out, until it was just right. The result, here is the neck, template, and body clamped together on Friday afternoon, just before class was over.
Now, for today... The template was done, I started to line up the neck, making sure the scale length was good, projecting straight lines to the bridge, checking for equal distance on both sides of my centerline. When I had everything lined up, I looked at the body joint. I had a large area below the end of the neck, before the cutaway finished. I decided to shorten the overall length by moving everything down by one fret. This changed my bridge placement, pickup placement, neck joint, everything. But, after making this decision, I cut off around 3/4" from the neck heel, as it was unneeded.
the front, complete with lucky number 7
I then lined everything back up, everything was good, got final approval, and routed.
The result...well, you tell me...
Not bad for my first neck pocket...
The only other thing truly accomplished today, was some work on the acoustic top. Matt, one of the instructors, used my top in a demonstration, penciling in the brace outlines. Hey, saves me the work! I already have that all penciled in on my work board. We were also given the b/w/b binding for our rosettes. We glued them in, using Titebond. The completed rosettes will be thickness sanded, to get them flush.
Well, that's the update for today, We are also radiusing and gluing in neck and tail blocks into the sides. For now, all the clamps are taken, so, I am working on everything I can, while waiting for the clamps. Hopefully, there will be more fun tomorrow.
Thanks for watching!
Thumpin_P
Today was a lot of progress, sort of. but first, let me catch you guys up about Thursday and Friday. I made a couple of mistakes Thursday, which really set me off. When I rounded the one side of the neck, that meant that I needed to make a custom template for routing the neck pocket. I started to work, trying once, twice,...etc., stopping after five. I had had enough for the day. I then changed course, focusing on doing the roundovers and the comfort carve on the back of the body. Note to self: never carve with a rasp, when you are frustrated. It will bring you nothing but anguish. I screwed the comfort carve up, by carving one spot too much. Most of the carve looks pretty good, except for this one spot. I will try to fix this later. I did have one bit of good stuff on Thursday, which I should be proud of, but, at the moment, the bad stuff overshadowed anything else.
We started, in small groups, to carve the back braces, to give them their final shape. When it was all said and done, the back is now...
DONE!!!!
I am now very pleased with that.
Friday, I continued working on the neck pocket template. Looking at these pictures, I don't think that this is the completed one, I think this is six. I am close, yes, but I wanted to get even closer. To me, there cannot be "good enough".
I did finally get it on number seven. Using some MDF for the straight edges of the neck, and keeping them in place on the template, for guides, carefully sanding the corners out, until it was just right. The result, here is the neck, template, and body clamped together on Friday afternoon, just before class was over.
Now, for today... The template was done, I started to line up the neck, making sure the scale length was good, projecting straight lines to the bridge, checking for equal distance on both sides of my centerline. When I had everything lined up, I looked at the body joint. I had a large area below the end of the neck, before the cutaway finished. I decided to shorten the overall length by moving everything down by one fret. This changed my bridge placement, pickup placement, neck joint, everything. But, after making this decision, I cut off around 3/4" from the neck heel, as it was unneeded.
the front, complete with lucky number 7
I then lined everything back up, everything was good, got final approval, and routed.
The result...well, you tell me...
Not bad for my first neck pocket...
The only other thing truly accomplished today, was some work on the acoustic top. Matt, one of the instructors, used my top in a demonstration, penciling in the brace outlines. Hey, saves me the work! I already have that all penciled in on my work board. We were also given the b/w/b binding for our rosettes. We glued them in, using Titebond. The completed rosettes will be thickness sanded, to get them flush.
Well, that's the update for today, We are also radiusing and gluing in neck and tail blocks into the sides. For now, all the clamps are taken, so, I am working on everything I can, while waiting for the clamps. Hopefully, there will be more fun tomorrow.
Thanks for watching!
Thumpin_P
Seems like you're moving right along.. I do hope there will be photos of the repair half of the course as well.
I've got to ask: Do you feel you're getting your $15,000 worth?
I've got to ask: Do you feel you're getting your $15,000 worth?
Well, Knucklehead.. The true value, to me, is after the course is over. The value is the knowledge and the confidence to find and acquire a good job in the field of my dreams.
and Beej.., I had to chuckle at that one.
BTW, I will be documenting every step of the way, until Graduation Day.
Thanks for the comments, and thanks again for watching!
Thumpin_P
and Beej.., I had to chuckle at that one.
BTW, I will be documenting every step of the way, until Graduation Day.
Thanks for the comments, and thanks again for watching!
Thumpin_P
Not trying to knock it by any means, just looking at it now and wondering if maybe those things-happen-for-a-reason hippies might have a point. At least for me.
I didn't see it as knocking...and i understand where you are coming from, I guess I am just answering the question for everyone...it's all good, sir!
Okay...
Another productive day! I started by gluing the neck and tail blocks into the acoustic sides. We used a jig to sand a radius into the glued edge of each of the blocks. Then, you use wax paper, to isolate the body from the mold. Simply line up the center lines of each block with the center lines from the mold, and glue and clamp. I glued the neck block first. Then, while the first was drying, I sanded the tail block. By the time the first was dry, the second was ready. Clamps had become the hot commodity, so this was my creative way of being on top of the game. Here is the completed, big picture...
Here you see the sides and blocks in the mold, complete with spreaders. I also have some small issues to deal with, in time. There are some small wormholes on either side of the tail block.
And here is a shot of just the tail block.
Next, we completed the rosette. I will be using abalone. For you noobies, you will notice that the rings are not complete. There is a gap in the top of the circle. This will be covered by the fretboard. I didn't receive enough abalone to complete the circle, anyway. The outer rings were already complete with .055" b/w/b binding. Today, we lined the middle ring with .045" b/w/b, then place the abalone in between the binding. Super glue was used, to secure everything in place. Here you go!
The tint, btw, is accelerator. It will get sanded out, along with anything sticking up.
For the remainder of the day, I thickness sanded top braces. I have completed the x-braces, and the two lower face braces.
I also did most of the sanding on the transverse brace. I was told today that we will be shooting lacquer in about two weeks...it doesn't seem real, that this is moving so fast.
I can't think of anything else. There will be more tomorrow, trust me!
Thanks for watching!
Thumpin_P
Another productive day! I started by gluing the neck and tail blocks into the acoustic sides. We used a jig to sand a radius into the glued edge of each of the blocks. Then, you use wax paper, to isolate the body from the mold. Simply line up the center lines of each block with the center lines from the mold, and glue and clamp. I glued the neck block first. Then, while the first was drying, I sanded the tail block. By the time the first was dry, the second was ready. Clamps had become the hot commodity, so this was my creative way of being on top of the game. Here is the completed, big picture...
Here you see the sides and blocks in the mold, complete with spreaders. I also have some small issues to deal with, in time. There are some small wormholes on either side of the tail block.
And here is a shot of just the tail block.
Next, we completed the rosette. I will be using abalone. For you noobies, you will notice that the rings are not complete. There is a gap in the top of the circle. This will be covered by the fretboard. I didn't receive enough abalone to complete the circle, anyway. The outer rings were already complete with .055" b/w/b binding. Today, we lined the middle ring with .045" b/w/b, then place the abalone in between the binding. Super glue was used, to secure everything in place. Here you go!
The tint, btw, is accelerator. It will get sanded out, along with anything sticking up.
For the remainder of the day, I thickness sanded top braces. I have completed the x-braces, and the two lower face braces.
I also did most of the sanding on the transverse brace. I was told today that we will be shooting lacquer in about two weeks...it doesn't seem real, that this is moving so fast.
I can't think of anything else. There will be more tomorrow, trust me!
Thanks for watching!
Thumpin_P
mikeyswood
Inactive
Well, Mikey, Talkbass has given me so much over the years, I figured this would be a good start at trying to give it back.
Thanks George!! I actually make fewer big mistakes on the acoustic, than I do on the electric. Don't know why, I actually figured myself for more of an electric man. Who knows...?
I'll have more today, I will be radiusing the sides and the block.
I'll have more today, I will be radiusing the sides and the block.
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,008
- 1
- 31,709
- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
Looking GREAT! Love the abalone rosette - good choice there. Good job on the neck pocket template, too - never give up; never settle for "good enough"! Your perseverance paid off there. Looking forward to seeing how you shape the excess around the pocket, too.
One very small, minor, suggestion - consider using black side dots on the bass from the 7th fret on up, to contrast with the sapwood.
One very small, minor, suggestion - consider using black side dots on the bass from the 7th fret on up, to contrast with the sapwood.
CT!!!
Great to hear from you again! thanks for the compliments! and you are right, perseverance does indeed pay off. As far as the black side dots, I had thought about that, right after I glued those in...doh!!! I will have a more thorough update in a few minutes.
Thanks again!
Thumpin_P
Great to hear from you again! thanks for the compliments! and you are right, perseverance does indeed pay off. As far as the black side dots, I had thought about that, right after I glued those in...doh!!! I will have a more thorough update in a few minutes.
Thanks again!
Thumpin_P
Alright Luthiers, Lurkers, and Subscribers...
Another fun-filled, productive day!
Where do I start....Radiusing!! Since I had my neck and tail blocks glued in, and there was no line, it was time to tackle this piece of machinery...
Yes... a modified potter's wheel. There are two allen head machine screws in the top of the wheel, which match up with two holes in the hollow sanding forms..50' radius for the top, 15' radius for the back. Before sanding, you must split the mold in two, to give you access to both sides.
The only trick about this, was to keep everything level and hold your two blocks as you spin the wheel and sand. I will include some mostly after pics.
Next, was work on pickup routing.. I double and triple checked all my spacing, centering the template, then began to hog out with a forstner bit. You guys have seen that before, with the tele ( a couple of pages back). So, without further ado...
Music Man Goodness!!!
I also worked, without frustration, with a 6" cabinet scraper. I started to smooth out my mistake on the comfort carve.
You may or may not see my boo-boo, but I stopped for two reasons, 1) I am out of shape, and this scraper is not sharp. also 2) I created quite a lot of heat, and the scraper was gettin' HOT!!!
I also worked on smoothing out the burn marks from the router w/ 3/8" roundover. I will continue to work with 150 grit, then 220. getting it baby smooth. I stopped the path of the roundover before the elbow cut. I am waiting for assistance with that. I DEFINITELY DON'T WANT TO SCREW THAT UP!!!!
That sums up the majority of the work on the bass. We have to start designing our control cavity layout, and I got approval of mine, but, John Reuter was not aware of my 3/8" roundover, so I am reworking it tomorrow. I will be using SD Music Man w/ Alnico Magnets; SD 3- band, with individual bass, mid, and treble. The way I see it, I would rather replace one pot, versus a stack pot, if one goes bad. I will also be using 18v. Why, you say...because I want to! Hehe..
Moving back to the acoustic, the soundboard was thickness sanded today, and the rosette looks awesome!!!!
There are no broken lines, all the seams are great! I will remember to take a close-up tomorrow...sorry about that.
The final big thing today was kerfing. Matt Baker asked if he could demo on mine, and the way he asked was "McCray...do you have your blocks glued in?...your neck block...your tail block....are the sides radiused?" I think he was expecting me to say no at some point...Man, that was a good feeling. Anyway, we are using reverse kerfing, which is glued in on the perforated side, versus traditional kerfing, which is glued in on the solid side. And here you will see these fancy luthier's clamps...calibrated to 20.25 lbs of pressure, just for luthier's work....
Yep...I have to wonder how much office workers pay for these highly specialized luthier's tools...
I was able to get all four strips of kerfing glued and dried before time was up today. Here are some in-progress and completed pictures..
That's all for today. Hopefully tomorrow, I will get the fretboard face inlay dots for the bass, get some more contouring done on the bass, and I think we will do vertical strips on the acoustic sides, then radius them for the last time. Then, the back and sides will be almost ready. I know we will still route out for a wedge in the tail block, but, I am getting ahead of the game. Tune in tomorrow, faithful watchers!
Oh, and CT, I apologize, I failed to address the point the the neck pocket. I sir, am also looking forward to shaving off that growth on the treble side of the neck pocket. I have a good idea, but, I think that will happen after we carve the neck and mount it with machine inserts...that's right, no neck plate...very modern! But, with that being said, I want as little left as possible!
Sincerely,
Thumpin_P
Another fun-filled, productive day!
Where do I start....Radiusing!! Since I had my neck and tail blocks glued in, and there was no line, it was time to tackle this piece of machinery...
Yes... a modified potter's wheel. There are two allen head machine screws in the top of the wheel, which match up with two holes in the hollow sanding forms..50' radius for the top, 15' radius for the back. Before sanding, you must split the mold in two, to give you access to both sides.
The only trick about this, was to keep everything level and hold your two blocks as you spin the wheel and sand. I will include some mostly after pics.
Next, was work on pickup routing.. I double and triple checked all my spacing, centering the template, then began to hog out with a forstner bit. You guys have seen that before, with the tele ( a couple of pages back). So, without further ado...
Music Man Goodness!!!
I also worked, without frustration, with a 6" cabinet scraper. I started to smooth out my mistake on the comfort carve.
You may or may not see my boo-boo, but I stopped for two reasons, 1) I am out of shape, and this scraper is not sharp. also 2) I created quite a lot of heat, and the scraper was gettin' HOT!!!
I also worked on smoothing out the burn marks from the router w/ 3/8" roundover. I will continue to work with 150 grit, then 220. getting it baby smooth. I stopped the path of the roundover before the elbow cut. I am waiting for assistance with that. I DEFINITELY DON'T WANT TO SCREW THAT UP!!!!
That sums up the majority of the work on the bass. We have to start designing our control cavity layout, and I got approval of mine, but, John Reuter was not aware of my 3/8" roundover, so I am reworking it tomorrow. I will be using SD Music Man w/ Alnico Magnets; SD 3- band, with individual bass, mid, and treble. The way I see it, I would rather replace one pot, versus a stack pot, if one goes bad. I will also be using 18v. Why, you say...because I want to! Hehe..
Moving back to the acoustic, the soundboard was thickness sanded today, and the rosette looks awesome!!!!
There are no broken lines, all the seams are great! I will remember to take a close-up tomorrow...sorry about that.
The final big thing today was kerfing. Matt Baker asked if he could demo on mine, and the way he asked was "McCray...do you have your blocks glued in?...your neck block...your tail block....are the sides radiused?" I think he was expecting me to say no at some point...Man, that was a good feeling. Anyway, we are using reverse kerfing, which is glued in on the perforated side, versus traditional kerfing, which is glued in on the solid side. And here you will see these fancy luthier's clamps...calibrated to 20.25 lbs of pressure, just for luthier's work....
Yep...I have to wonder how much office workers pay for these highly specialized luthier's tools...
I was able to get all four strips of kerfing glued and dried before time was up today. Here are some in-progress and completed pictures..
That's all for today. Hopefully tomorrow, I will get the fretboard face inlay dots for the bass, get some more contouring done on the bass, and I think we will do vertical strips on the acoustic sides, then radius them for the last time. Then, the back and sides will be almost ready. I know we will still route out for a wedge in the tail block, but, I am getting ahead of the game. Tune in tomorrow, faithful watchers!
Oh, and CT, I apologize, I failed to address the point the the neck pocket. I sir, am also looking forward to shaving off that growth on the treble side of the neck pocket. I have a good idea, but, I think that will happen after we carve the neck and mount it with machine inserts...that's right, no neck plate...very modern! But, with that being said, I want as little left as possible!
Sincerely,
Thumpin_P
Groovy. =).
Yep, that's "yours truly". My friend and fellow classmate Michael has snapped a sneaky picture of me, updating you guys. Is this "life imitating art"...who knows? Michael, I will see you in class tomorrow, you bass playin' fool!
Thumpin_P
mikeyswood
Inactive
We do have the unwritten rule that builds MUST contain a hair pic.
Well, I'm screwed.....
Do goatees count?
