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First build, aka "Things I learned today"

Posted by Keith on January 21, 2015 at 5:14pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

ok day one (ok two I did do some cuts last night) I'll size the pics and put them on the bucket or upload them.

1. scarf joints are a %$^&#$*&%^ to clamp

2. cutting the headstock block to length before cutting the scarf makes a really nice oak sanding block

3. scarf joints are a &^%*(%$# to clamp

4. sometimes it is indeed better to be lucky than good. When thicknessing the body block to thicken the neck where it goes through the box, just wing it and stop when it feels good, then slip it into the box slots and viola! perfect fit the lid closes flush with the neck relief. (I will be a bit more careful in the future as that could have been bad)

5. scarf joints.. you get the idea

6. cutting the headstock was a bit more dicey than I thought (you guys make it look so easy!)

All in all it was good and while there will be a few things I'll tighten up in the future the learning curve isn't so steep that the project was in danger of failing..

box cut.jpg

neck block.jpg

scarf1.jpg

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Replies

  • Keith January 31, 2015 at 11:50am
    Ok Here is the after action report. The lessons learned during the build. First you must come to enjoy the process as much as the product, otherwise you rush and make mistakes. Know your tools, not knowing that the bearing on the round over but was too small left a groove in the neck that can't be sanded out. Visualize the finished look and measure carefully then think about the whole task or you too can have a heel that is too short and enters the box. Determine that your not going to learn everything by experience. Look at many guitars, or cbg's or whatever and look at them in detail not doin this is how i Wound up with my tuners so far up on the head stock and winding the wrong way. Keep tolerances tight you can sand it down but you can't un sand it. Don't eyeball straight and level, check it, and check it again. If there is room for another clamp, use another clamp. A hand belt sander with 120 grit belt removes more wood faster than you can believe. Find a group of people that are experienced in doing what you are doing and let them encourage and help. They will be awesome cheerleaders and will help get you over the big bumps! Then just have as much fun as you can and realize there is and always will be a vast difference in quality between my first cbg and the beautiful instruments made by the long timers here.
    Ok enough of that, time to get back to work on my new project then to scrounge parts for a suitcase amp......
  • Keith January 30, 2015 at 3:29pm

    one%20of%20head.jpgjack.jpgmore pics

    body.jpg

  • Keith January 30, 2015 at 3:27pm

    Well folks submitted for your approval, it has the pickups tuned up and played it!  what a great feeling!  this is awesome.  I call it "One Of" as I have no idea how far this will go I cannot put the last number in the name....

    one%20of.jpg

    • Scott aka Farmer Ted > Keith January 30, 2015 at 3:58pm

      "One of many"...face it, you hooked.

      • Keith > Scott aka Farmer Ted January 30, 2015 at 4:06pm

        guilty as charged!

  • Keith January 29, 2015 at 1:50pm

    just got the fretboards and I have to say in my totally untrained and inexperienced opinion they look great.  I'm putting one on now we'll see how it goes.fretboard.jpg

    • Scott aka Farmer Ted > Keith January 29, 2015 at 2:06pm

      Quick tip...mark your position "dot" locations (3,5,7,9,12, etc), and drill 1/16" hole at 3rd and last "dot" location...use small finish nail (not put in all the way so it can be removed) to anchor fretboard, so it doesn't slide like the scarf, and glue & clamp...when dry, remove nails, continue.

      • Keith > Scott aka Farmer Ted January 29, 2015 at 2:25pm

        ooh, good idea!  I already used oily's staple trick on this one, but the next!

  • Keith January 27, 2015 at 4:58pm

    bridge_1.jpgok I am now starting my bridge, I decided to use some whitetail antlers.  It is shaping well and by keeping the hard surface intact it should work well plus it gives me an excuse to keep the pathetically small antlers off the pathetically small bucks I tend to kill. 

  • Keith January 26, 2015 at 1:25pm

    ok just glued up the second scarf joint using the staple method, thank you Oily!!!  it worked awesome.  a no frustration scarf joint who knew?  Ok well all of you, but not this amateur.. laminated the the veneer to headstock.  Trying to go much slower and not repeat any mistakes.  Waiting not so patiently for deliveries from C.B. Gitty and the fretboards from ebay.  should have a complete CBG in a week or so...

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