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Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter! http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=16427	Page 1 of 2

Author:	WaddyThomson [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 2:32 pm ]
Post subject:	Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
OK, OK, pictures will be coming up later. This, however, is a trepidatious moment. Frets are in, bridge is glued, tuners are on, nut is roughed in with slots, but not finished. At rest, no strings, action at 12 on bass side is just over 4mm with just over 11mm at the saddle. Treble side is about a mm less, same height at saddle. It weighs just under 3 lbs without strings and finish. OK, Stand Back, and may I ask for a MOMENT OF OLF SILENCE! I will be putting strings on this thing, and please pray that it does not fly apart before I get them all on. After I've played it a minute, it'll be OK if it does. I'll let you know what happened in a while.

Author:	Alexandru Marian [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 3:43 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
Great! Just don't jump to any conclusion ( or ) not until youve played it for at least a couple days.

Author:	WaddyThomson [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 3:55 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
The strings are on. Nothing has disintegrated into a pile of toothpicks yet! The strings are not played in yet, nor is the guitar. It sounds, well, tolerable. I put some Hannabach Goldins on it, and the jury is still out on the G string. Sounds a little muted - couldn't be the guitar. Only heard one cracking sound when stringing it up , but I think it was at the saddle - probably wasn't seated well enough. Action, is very high, as I expected. All in all, it really doesn't sound bad. It is certainly the best guitar I've built yet! Needs a lot of setup work. Lowering at the nut by, probably 1mm, and lowering at the saddle of, between 1 & 2mm, somewhere. I like the 18 hole bridge. Makes string tying very neat. I'll post some pictures to this thread later. Right now, I think I'm going to play a little with the set-up.

Author:	Hesh [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 5:06 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
Waddy I have a very strong feeling that your first guitar is going to be an exceptionally fine guitar. I am also laughing because I still remember stringing up my first and being sure that the neck was going to fold. With every creaking noise I held my face back further and further. But it held together and I was thrilled and you will be too. Hurry up and get us some pics bro - you know the drill........

Author:	WaddyThomson [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:22 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
OK - Pictures. I'll cut to the chase. For the last two weeks, I have become caught up in bridge making (2 now), finger board tapering and slotting, action measuring, ad infinitum. So, here is the guitar before stringing. Still no finish, but there are still a few splotches of shellac on the soundboard from the binding process. It has been a long journey, which I doubt I would have accomplished without the generous help of you folks. Body - Zebra Wood from RC Tonewoods Top - German Spruce - RC Tonewoods Finger board - Brazillian Rosewood - RC Tonewoods Bridge - Brazillian Rosewood - RC Tonewoods Bindings are BRW that I got at the swap meet, can't remember from whom. The rosette and all purflings were made from veneer. The black is dyed Something Wood? The tuners are Rubner (I had originally planned on Gilbert, and have them, but they looked too clunky on this headstock, fortunately the Rubner Tuners have a similar footprint. The Sloane's are too short and looked funny.) Top Braces Dentellones, and fans are Italian Moon Spruce from Filippo during the Swap Meet. Back bracing, reinforcement strip and lining are Mahogany. I won't bore you with all the construction stuff. You can see that at my album when I update it. I'll change the date. I know you all can't wait. I can hear the panting now! Please understand that this guitar still needs a lot of detail work to get it to where I'll be ready to put a finish on it. I just wanted to get strings on to play it in a little in case I need to tweak the top a little. Here we go. I have a number of shots. It will take several posts to get them in. Attachment: P1000717 (Large).JPG Attachment: P1000718 (Large).JPG Attachment: P1000719 (Large).JPG Attachment: P1000720 (Large).JPG Attachment: P1000721 (Large).JPG Attachment: P1000722 (Large).JPG Attachment: P1000723 (Large).JPG Attachment: P1000724 (Large).JPG

Author:	WaddyThomson [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:32 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
Attachment: P1000725 (Large).JPG Attachment: P1000726 (Large).JPG Attachment: P1000727 (Large).JPG Attachment: P1000730 (Large).JPG Attachment: P1000731 (Large).JPG Attachment: P1000732 (Large).JPG Attachment: P1000733 (Large).JPG The original action was higher than I thought, but after working the nut down, and takiing 2mm off the saddle, here is what I have on the treble side. Bass side is about 0.8 mm higher at the 12th fret. The same at the bridge and at the nut. I have a tiny buzz on the first fret, but only when you really play it hard. Minor adjustment in order there. I may also have to raise the height at the saddle just a tad, maybe 0.2 or 0.3mm on the bass side. Here is the action on the treble side. Attachment: P1000735 (Large).JPG Next Post.

Author:	WaddyThomson [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:39 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
At the first fret. Attachment: P1000737 (Large).JPG At the Bridge. Attachment: P1000738 (Large).JPG Here are a couple of the 18 hole bridge. I liked the wood so much I didn't decorate it. Attachment: P1000740 (Large).JPG Attachment: P1000742 (Large).JPG And finally, here it is with strings. Attachment: P1000743 (Large).JPG Attachment: P1000744 (Large).JPG Once again, thank you all for looking.

Author:	Hesh [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:00 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
Waddy bro I have only ever offered 5 clapping hands for completed guitars, meaning with finish on them too - but in your case I am going to make an exception. This is a guitar that anyone no matter how many they had built prior would be very proud to have created. Absolutely fantastic work/craftsmanship Waddy!!!!

Author:	WaddyThomson [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:08 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
Small photos hide a myriad of errors and gaps, etc.

Author:	KenH [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:08 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
I'll give a hearty second to Hesh's statements. Well done from start to finish!!

Author:	Lillian F-W [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:09 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
Well done Waddy!

Author:	Steve Kinnaird [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:42 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
Nice, Waddy! I think that's an exceptional first build. I've been admiring your zebrawood, all along the photo process, and think it's beautiful. I wouldn't have thought a classical would look right with zebra, but yours looks great. Oh, and I like your peghead! It all works together. Steve

Author:	jfrench [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:51 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
Waddy - Deepest congratulations! She looks great. I love the head, very elegant and original. Generally I can barely stand my guitars until they've been strung for at least several hours. Usually overnight they become what I've intended. You'll likely notice a huge difference over the first few days. Did you weight your bridge? Looks like you did a wonderful job.

Author:	Marc [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:02 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
Waddy, Outstanding guitar, hard to believe it's your first. I love classical guitars and that is a beauty. A classical guitar built in classic style, way to go. 10.5 on the bridge height, right on target, just as your pre-fingerboard glue-on measurements predicted. When you get it set-up just the way you like it please post a sound clip, I would love to hear it. Congratulations. Oh, and great job on blending the neck into the back of the head, that's really good, I have to look hard to find the scarf line.

Author:	David LaPlante [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:04 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
Very nice overall aesthetic Waddy. Thanks for your generosity of spirit with all the photos and commentary! OK....now to the finish!!...............

Author:	LuthierSupplier [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:14 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
Way to go Waddy! That is a fantastic first effort. I'm impressed with your workmanship. I really like that peghead also! Can't wait to see what you make next. Now go and enjoy it!

Author:	WaddyThomson [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:27 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
Thank you all for your comments. It has been quite a journey, so far. Hesh, I feel honored to get the five clapping hands early. I'll think about that when I'm filling all those gaps around the binding and purfling. Steve, the Zebra Wood was a cheap buy at the time. Bob was running a special, and I got that and a couple of tops at a great price. Go figure! Bob always has a bargain lurking somewhere. Joshua, as I said, it sounds tolerable. I'm trying not to form any opinions until it has a chance to open up a little. Not sure if I'll know what to do after it does, besides finish it. Don't know much about the tweaking process. What did you mean, "Did you weight the bridge?" If you mean weigh, I forgot to weigh this one. The other one was about 21 - 22 oz, and it was thinner, but the wood was lots heavier. I would guess it falls in the 20 oz range, but that is really a guess, and that would be without the saddle. Ah, Mark. Keep looking, the neck, I forgot to mention, was an old mahogany neck I bought when the Harmony factory closed. I've had it for nearly 25 years. Always plan ahead. The action was a little lucky, but I strung it up high originally, and took about .8mm out of the nut and 2mm out of the saddle to get to what I have now. It's pretty good, but I may try a shim under the bass side to see what action changes happen before I start working frets. I'll try to post a sound clip one of these days, if I can figure out how, and learn to play something that has more than one line (ensemble playing does that to you). Yes Dave - On to the finish after some play in. I actually took a FP class last weekend at Woodcrafters here in Charlotte. The guy was pretty good, and took some of the mystery out of it. I'm thinking of doing the egg white filling process, just for fun. I don't know, though, that's still in the air. Thanks again everyone.

Author:	Billy T [ Mon Mar 17, 2008 1:46 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
Great looking build Waddy! I like the wood combos!

Author:	Dave Fifield [ Mon Mar 17, 2008 2:36 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
Great job Waddy! Looks like you're going to finish before me. I'm just starting to carve the neck on my first. Hey, did you notice your rule isn't parallel to the fingerboard, so the measurements are off by a little? What kind of finish are you going to go for? Cheers, Dave F.

Author:	Sam Price [ Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:03 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
Waddy, I was wondering about your zebrano wood classical build, as I was handling a chunk of said timber yesterday in my favourite ever store just across the Welsh Border. In my opinion, I think you are lying to us. This isn't your first build, is it? May be your first classical, and you've built 20 acoustics already, haven't you? Absolutely stunning, and thank you for taking the time to describe the build process in such beautiful, inspiring detail!!!!!!

Author:	Bobc [ Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:22 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
Waddy that is a beautiful guitar and fantastic first effort. Job well done.

Author:	MaxBishop [ Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:50 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
Outstanding first build, Waddy! I'm very impressed with your care and methods. Keep up the excellent work. Congrats, Max

Author:	Colin S [ Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:54 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
Waddy, what can I say, you have come up trumps on your first guitar. I have liked your studied and thoughtful approach to this build it shows that you are thinking about the process rather than just gluing bits of wood together. Let it settle in and then give us a sound clip, that after all is what a musical instument is all about. Very well done. Colin

Author:	Dave White [ Mon Mar 17, 2008 6:43 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
Waddy, Well done. It looks great and it will sound great too!! I've loved watching your progress. This is the first step on what will hopefully be a long and fruitful journey - enjoy it!!

Author:	Dave Anderson [ Mon Mar 17, 2008 7:58 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Waddy's Build, Next to the Last Chapter!
Waddy, That is a pretty amazing guitar, first or one hundredth !! I think you have a real knack for this! I like your headstock very much. The rosette is superb and the Zebrawood is gorgeous. I can't wait to see your next one.Congratulations.

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