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After checking, rechecking, adjusting, readjusting, tweaking, retweaking, etc, etc, I've successfully cut my first two sets of mortise and tenon joints. They're not real tight, but as I understand it, they don't need to be, and more importantly, the angle seems spot on. After much second guessing, as well as reading up on all the past "neck angle" posts, for which I must say thanks to many of you, I fired up the router, and took the plunge, so to speak...

While no more stressful than hand-bending sides or cutting binding ledges, the stakes here seemed higher, given the potentially total destruction that could occur driving a 1/2 router bit straight into the otherwise complete body over which I'd spent so many hours obsessing. Even more, this single act suddenly allowed me to see those disparate parts as a whole. Building a playable instrument suddenly seems attainable, whereas until now, I've just been blindly hoping that I could do it.

I know there are still many trails ahead, but today I feel very satisfied in knowing that despite all the "learning experiences" I've had already, some days are good, things go as planned, and the work moves forward.

Here are a couple of shots of the Engelmann/Granadillo 'sister'. My apologies for the poor quality of the photos.

Ken

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Mountain Song Guitars www.mountainsongguitars.com

Whoops! Forgot the pics...

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Mountain Song Guitars www.mountainsongguitars.com

Ken-
You are making good progress!
Cutting into the body is pretty nerve-wracking for me as well- I cut my first soundport in a guitar side last week and was glad it was a plywood 'project guitar'.

I notice that you've kept the binding nice and square where it meets the neck- I still have to put masking tape over that area to control my urge to round it over with a swipe with sandpaper.

Nice work.

Cheers
John

Man, those are some lousy pics! That's what I get for using my cellphone. I'd switch em out if I could...

John -- Thanks for looking. What exactly is a plywood project guitar? I've seen other references to using plywood. I'd be curious to try it -- sounds like a good way to experiment with new ideas. How's it sound?

Todd -- I used the StewMac templates -- basically a couple of plexi patterns you build a simple jig around. It took me a while just to figure out a good way to securely clamp the body to the jig, addressing the dome of the top while also cushioning it enough to avoid it getting banged up. I'll continue to modify the jig so setup is quick and repeatable -- as it is, I spent a good hour on each body getting them good and snug. Thanks!

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Mountain Song Guitars www.mountainsongguitars.com

[QUOTE=skulpter]

John -- Thanks for looking. What exactly is a plywood project guitar? I've seen other references to using plywood. I'd be curious to try it -- sounds like a good way to experiment with new ideas. How's it sound?

[/QUOTE]
Ken-
Based on my experience, a plywood project guitar is better known as 'an eBay mistake'
The particular one I was referring to (I make my mistakes in bunches) was a Hofner 'classical' which 'just needed the bridge re-glued' according to the seller. I was not really surprised to find that the plywood top was delaminated, so it was a good excuse to practice replacing a top. This involved removing the neck- Hofner gets the award for the 'worst mechanical design for a neck attachment- which wasn't too difficult.
I don't have it all back together, so can't comment on the sound. I've only got a few dollars in materials in it, so I won't be too distraught if it turns out to be unspectacular. It's a chance for experiments- lattice top, Gilbert-style bridge, new neck attachment, CF 'flying buttress' braces, etc. Lots of fun.

BTW- I do like 'laminated sides' which I've incorporated into several recent guitars. It's not the 'done thing' to refer to them as 'plywood' in luthier circles, though!

Keep us posted on your progress!

Cheers
John