Winter build off 2022 MPUrker

[MPU]

Here’s my exhibitionist entry.
-Parker Fly-style guitar
-flame alder body, alder neck with Richlite fretboard, carbon fiber shell over the back
-Parker bridge, Steinberger gearless tuners, possibly Graphtech piezo saddles, possibly Dimarzio pickups instead of the EMGs, Warwick trussrod (SRDA).
I forgot to write the renewal thing to the wood pile which I forgot to take a pic.
Here’s where I’m at the moment.

 

[Jeff Siddall]

This looks interesting!

 

[MPU]

Truss rod time. No carbon fiber back strap this time as the whole back of the neck and body will form a back strap. Funny how tiny a guitar neck is compared to a bass neck. It’s really strange to work with this kind of stump.

 

[Beej]

I'd like to know more about the warwick DASR, how does it compare to Bruce's rods? It looks like it's going into a curved slot similar to Bruce, but it's hard to tell what's going on from the pics. I've been getting more obsessed with DASR style TRs and plan to develop something at some point.

 

[BishopJP]

I could also stand to hear more about this set-up.

I get that the kerf-cut piece gets glued in, forming the rod into a curve; is the truss rod channel also curved?

 

[MPU]

It's basically the same as Bruce's truss rod. The adjusting head is made a bit different and the rod itself is thinner. The truss rod slot is curved.

 

[dwizum]

Some of the Warwick "making the instrument" videos include the truss rod install. Not a ton of detail but at least you can watch it go into the neck!

 

[Bruce Johnson]

It's basically the same as Bruce's truss rod. The adjusting head is made a bit different and the rod itself is thinner. The truss rod slot is curved.
View attachment 4534138

Hmmm.....Yeah, same basic operation as mine, but I don't like some of the construction details. It looks like both the rod and the barrel are steel, black oxide coated? That's asking for some corrosion/galling problems down the road (in my opinion). What size are the threads? 5 mm x 0.8? Do they specify how much droop should be in the slot? I recommend 4.5 mm.

 

[MPU]

Yes, they are made of steel. Grease is a must. Threads are M4x something tighter than usual M4. I have the same 4,5mm droop as you recommended.

 

[MPU]

Today I shaped the neck and headstock. I sanded the headstock sides to 320 grit.

My plan is to make the headstock as cf/flame alder/cf- sandwich with alder showing on the sides. Cf dust is very messy and impossible to get out of the pores. To prevent that I sealed the sides with epoxy and brushed a tack coat to the top of the neck and headstock.

After three hours it was tacky so I could lay the cf cloth over the neck, brush epoxy resin over it and clamp the waxed cauls. Tacky coat also prevents the wood from sucking all the epoxy when clamping.

 

[Flamingo21]

I have the same 4,5mm droop as you recommended.

What is "trussrod droop"? Is it the degree to which the rod is installed out of straight?

 

[MPU]

It’s how much the truss rod is curved from straight line between end piece and adjusting piece. I aim for 4,5mm at 7th fret.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Have I mentioned how cool your CF builds are? If not, they're cooler then a really cool thing.

 

[Flying B]

Can you share how you rout a curved slot for the truss rod please?

 

[MPU]

With a curved jig. Something like this. The rails have the correct curvature.

 

[MPU]

I took the neck out of clamps and let it cure for a few days.

While waiting I made a template for the treble side contour.

Then used a collar and 20mm round bottom router bit and routed the contour edge. I’m going to use violin makers plane to make the rest of the top contour. That will happen later, after the neck is glued on, the back side carved and carbon fiber shell laminated.

 

[Flamingo21]

Suddenly I see how the headstock and the top horn are similar in shape. Nice!

violin makers plane

What does this look like?

 

[MPU]

Suddenly I see how the headstock and the top horn are similar in shape. Nice!



What does this look like?

 

[daveman50]

View attachment 4536639

It makes sense if you see it with a hand or a finger.... It's tiny.

 

[MPU]

Yes.Easy to get blisters on your fingers with one.