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Build thread - Koa baritone
http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10128&t=54119
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Author:  bcombs510 [ Sun Apr 25, 2021 3:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Build thread - Koa baritone

Here are some pics from a new build I’m working on. It’s a baritone shape that I modeled up in g-thang to mimic an L1.

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Brad


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Author:  bcombs510 [ Sun Apr 25, 2021 3:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build thread - Koa baritone

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Author:  bcombs510 [ Sun Apr 25, 2021 3:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build thread - Koa baritone

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Author:  bcombs510 [ Sun Apr 25, 2021 3:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build thread - Koa baritone

Installing lining...

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Author:  bcombs510 [ Sun Apr 25, 2021 3:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Build thread - Koa baritone

Back braces...

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Author:  J De Rocher [ Sun Apr 25, 2021 8:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build thread - Koa baritone

This is going to be cool I'm a big fan of the L1 body shape. Maybe it's been done, but I haven't seen that shape used for an ukulele yet.

Author:  edstrummer [ Sun Apr 25, 2021 9:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Build thread - Koa baritone

Very cool. I am just starting a mold for a bari uke!! Thanks for sharing.

Author:  Ruby50 [ Mon Apr 26, 2021 6:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Build thread - Koa baritone

Love the shape. Not just early L-1, but many of their guitars are this shape.

Ed M

Author:  Barry Daniels [ Tue Apr 27, 2021 1:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build thread - Koa baritone

I also use drafting triangles when laying out back braces. Perfect tool for the job.

Author:  bcombs510 [ Sun Aug 08, 2021 6:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build thread - Koa baritone

Been wading through some life stuff so very little shop time. I was glad to get a few hours today. I made a plate clamp caul on the CNC and then glued on the back.

I’m also experimenting with a template to help accurately cut out the notches in the braces. This one will be v-braced.

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Brad


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Author:  Pmaj7 [ Mon Aug 09, 2021 12:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build thread - Koa baritone

Looks ingenious Brad! How are you routing? Short pattern bit?

Pat

Author:  bcombs510 [ Sun Aug 29, 2021 5:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Build thread - Koa baritone

Pmaj7 wrote:
Looks ingenious Brad! How are you routing? Short pattern bit?

Pat

Hey Pat!

Sorry it took so long to reply. Yes, that’s right, a short pattern bit in the laminate trimmer. Here are a few more pics of the setup. I made two spacer rings to set the cut depth. One to set the depth for the V braces over the bridge plate and one for the cross brace notches. It’s all aligned together so well it stands on its own.

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I’m waiting on some rosette materials to arrive before I cut the channel and soundhole. Once that’s done these will be ready to glue on.

Brad


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Author:  bcombs510 [ Fri Sep 03, 2021 9:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build thread - Koa baritone

Binding and purfling arrived. Today I cut the rosette and sound hole binding channels with the CNC. Thats a first for me. Worked out great.

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Brad


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Author:  bcombs510 [ Sat Sep 04, 2021 8:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build thread - Koa baritone

Bit of progress today. I made a template to help placing the oddly shaped bridge plate. Line up the markings on the template, clamp it down with a couple go-bars, glue and place the plate. The cutout from making the template makes a perfect clamping caul.

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Hope everyone is getting shop time on this long weekend!

Brad


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Author:  bcombs510 [ Sun Sep 05, 2021 9:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build thread - Koa baritone

Box is closed! Binding is up next. I need to do some research on L1 end wedges.

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Brad


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Author:  bcombs510 [ Mon Sep 06, 2021 9:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build thread - Koa baritone

Had to make a new carrier for the binding jig. The guitar one from LMI is too big and my homemade uke one for tenors was too small. Repurposed an old IKEA shelf for it.

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Brad


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Author:  bcombs510 [ Thu Sep 09, 2021 9:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build thread - Koa baritone

This is one of my favorite parts of building, when you get to see it with a little shellac. :)

The pic with the tools shows the way I take small squared up bites off the binding to get a nice joint. It’s a cheap combination square taken apart. The slot where the ruler went is perfect for holding the binding up and squared.

First for me using ABS binding, it was kind of nice!

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Brad


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Author:  J De Rocher [ Thu Sep 09, 2021 10:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build thread - Koa baritone

I like that idea of using the square. Pretty cool. I've been doing it free hand. I think I'll give that a try when I get to that point on the current instrument.

Author:  Pmaj7 [ Fri Sep 10, 2021 12:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Build thread - Koa baritone

Yeah, good idea to keep it square! I mean, who would have thought about using a.... square? Lol

Pat

Author:  bcombs510 [ Fri Sep 10, 2021 5:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Build thread - Koa baritone

Pmaj7 wrote:
I mean, who would have thought about using a.... square? Lol

Pat


I know, right? :D


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Author:  bcombs510 [ Sat Jan 01, 2022 10:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build thread - Koa baritone

I’ve been working on a couple new projects (not all luthier related) and it’s been months since I’ve been In the shop working on an instrument. Super glad to have some time today to move this one forward.

Milled the fretboard on the CNC and cut the M/T for the body and neck. Good times!

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Author:  bcombs510 [ Mon Jan 03, 2022 9:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Build thread - Koa baritone

A little more progress today. I managed to get the heel flossed in, the head plate on and trimmed, the carbon fiber rod glued in, the countersink into the block for the cap bolt, and the hanger bolt epoxied into place.

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Author:  bcombs510 [ Mon Jan 03, 2022 9:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build thread - Koa baritone

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Author:  bcombs510 [ Mon Jan 10, 2022 9:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Build thread - Koa baritone

Made a 16” radius caul to clamp the fretboard during glue-up. The slots align to the pins at 1st and 13th frets to align the board. Made a head plate template for the baritone neck and routed the headstock. The CNC really scratches the OCD itch I think. :D A few minutes with a scraper and 220 and voila - ready for porefill!

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Author:  J De Rocher [ Mon Jan 10, 2022 9:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build thread - Koa baritone

Looking good!

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