Guitar D28 build

[Glenn Jennings]

Hi Merle
Listing progress on the D28 guitar build as promised. This is only the second guitar I have built and is quite different to the archtop one I did last time.

The first photo shows the neck laminated from 5 pieces of wood and a truss rod has been fitted in the centre so the neck can be adjusted. This is a tight fit and is packed in thin felt to prevent vibration rattle.

A 1.5mm strip of wood has been fitted over the truss rod so that when the fretboard is glued on the excess glue can't get down around the truss rod and ruin its function.

The third photo shows the neck rasped and sanded to shape. I used profile gauges to get the profile exact at different points on the neck. The dovetail has been cut to fit it to the body. The neck is set to a 1.5 degree angle as per the plan.

Fourth and fith photos show the headstock laminated both sides ,The access hole cut for trussrod adjustment. Holes drilled for the machine heads and the heel fitted to the dovetail.

sixth photo is the mould I have made to build the body in. this has been sanded and sealed since the photo was taken.

seventh photo is all the internal top and back bracing. This has been made from Sitka Spruce.

Making the neck is the hardest part of the job as it has to be spot on and all the angles and profile make it a painstaking proccess. All shaped by hand as were the braces. I use chalk on the profile gauges and just keep taking off the high spots until it fits.

That's about it so far.

[Merle Rice]

Hi Glenn , Wow! that looks like an Interesting Project , I'll need to get a Piece of Wood so as to follow along with you . Ha,Ha. Very Precise looking work . I'll be watching your Process with Interest . Merle

[joepaulbutler]

Thanks for the very informative post. I'll be setting next to Merle watch your process. Wish I could send this post to my son . not that he makes musical interments, but he does enjoy working in wood.

[Glenn Jennings]

Hi Merle,
Hey who knows I might even put an EAGLE on it. Was toying with the idea of some pyrography on the top of the guitar. Will have to do a test burn on a bit of scrap sitka spruce to see how it all goes before committing to attacking the top. If I get it wrong thats it all over, Might be able to sand it all out if it did go wrong but that might affect tone too much if I had to take a reasonable amount off it. An eagle was kind of hovering in the back of the mind.

Hi Joe If you think your son would be interested flick me his email and I will send it to him . No worries.

Made the truss rod cover yesterday. You would not believe how long that little thing took to make. I did the burn under the microscope to try and get nice clean lines. Not easy to get the detail right on such a small piece.

[joepaulbutler]

Flicked in a PM

[Mark N. Akers]

Glenn, very nice job on the guitar, great work, and what beautiful wood.

[Glenn Jennings]

Hi Mark,
Thanks for the nice comment mate.

The woods used so far are Walnut and Kwila for the laminating of the neck. Fancy figure walnut for the front veneer on the heaqstock and Kauri for the truss rod cover plate. I have no idea what the veneer on the back of the head stock is as it was a piece I got from dad that he had floating about the workshop.

The top will be Sitka Spruce and the back and sides Pau ferro

[Just Carving]

Glenn

I know you mean business with the accuracy when I see a pair of dividers out on the bench. I am thoroughly enjoying this.

I have had a cigar box guitar I started--no where's near the beauty and effort you're putting into your guitar. I started it a while ago and it's been sitting in the shop for years. When I retire, I'll...you know the rest. So, I continue to look at it wondering when I'll pick it up and finish it. The neck needs frets (nails), the nut (a bolt), and the head needs tuning pegs to be carved, and the body needs the sound hole and a bridge--a door hinge. And of course, strings. It sounds like a lot, but it's not.

I can appreciate the effort you're making and it will pay you back for years once it's finished.

BobL

[Rontana]

Beautiful work. Building stringed instruments, satisfying as the outcome can me, was always a little nerve wracking for me.

The knowledge that one crucial mistake can send you back to the beginning after weeks/months of work (I was reading your comment on the pyrography) is always there. Luthier work is the ultimate in "measure about 10 times, and cut once."

[Glenn Jennings]

Hi Bob
I figure to builds about 5 guitars in time and this is the second. You will love retirement as it means you can dedicate uninterupted time to your projects. I will watch your project with interest when you get back into it. Happy carving mate.

Hi Rontana
Yeah instruments are a labour of love with a touch of masochism thrown in for good measure hehehe. I think the more you put into it the more careful you have to be or as you say it's back to the start again.

You are dead right about the measure 10 times cut once method. I am using a stewmac plan and it is not good. I found the neck profile was wrong and the odd centreline on a drawing wasn't on centre and stuff like that so you couldn't work directly from ther drawing but has tio second guess everything.

Decided to make the neck as close to the Taylor T5 neck as I find that easy and comfortable to play.

Because I only intend to make 5 in total I decided to put my own stamp on them and try to make them a little different and aesthetically pleasing. Hence the nice grained timbers etc. Have selected the top grade Sitka Spruce for the top. If you make something once then might as well throw the best woods at it.

Thanks for the nice comments guys.

[joepaulbutler]

Saw a solid-body guitar on the Webb that had Lichtenberg burning on the body filled with blue epoxy, Damm striking.

Could find it but here a couple of pictures to show you what I'm talking about.

[Glenn Jennings]

Hi Joe It is a nice effect but I'm more nature orientated and I don't like the idea of working with real high voltage stuff so will probably stick witht he eagle thought that has been hovering in the back of my mind. .

[Glenn Jennings]

Hi Guys
Made an eagle icon to go on the headstock of the neck so am now commited to an eagle theme for the guitar. Took the photo with a USA quarter dollar coin to give some idea of the size. Believe it or not it took most of the day with a set back or two where things didn't quite work out as I hoped.

[joepaulbutler]

This is sure going to be something

[Merle Rice]

Hi Glenn , Boy your really setting a Challenge for yourself with that Small Eagle . When you pull this off, and I know you will you might think about going into Watch Making . Very Interesting to watch your Progress . If I was to Carve something that I could get Music out of it would need to be a Radio . Merle