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Tenor Guitar Build - River Red Gum
http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10130&t=42567		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  martintaylor [ Tue Jan 28, 2014 6:18 am ]
Post subject:  Tenor Guitar Build - River Red Gum
I am building a Tenor guitar from my own plans. Thought I'd share some pics along the way.

Back and sides - River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis)
Back bracing - Queensland Maple (Flindersia brayleyana)
Soundboard - King Billy Pine (Athrotaxis selaginoides}
Sound board bracing - Bunya Pine (Araucaria bidwillii)
Neck - Recycled Red Cedar
Fretboard - River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis)
Binding - Recycled Silky Oak

Red Gum back bookmatched
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Sides Bent and joined to blocks. Red gum is hard to bend! had to go to 195°C
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Back bracing going on
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Joining back to sides
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Centre strip, side reinforcement done
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Soundboard bracing done
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Box closed
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Author:  martintaylor [ Tue Jan 28, 2014 6:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tenor Guitar Build - River Red Gum
Some more progress pics

Binding channels routed
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Silky Oak Bindings going on
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Fretboard shaped in my jig. 12" radius.
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Fret slots going in
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Jig for routing the dovetail. Stewmac with base with some additions.
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Starting to shape the neck. I love this part.
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Old Martin style bridge for this one. RIver Red Gum.
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Neck on, Frets in.
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Ready for oiling. I use Danish Oil (6 coats) and then Carnuba Wax (2 coats)
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Gotta love this part! I love seeing the timber come alive.
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The River Red Gum back is looking nice too.
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Author:  Nick Royle [ Tue Jan 28, 2014 6:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tenor Guitar Build - River Red Gum
Looking really good Martin! The wax really gives a nice sheen and the binding in particular looks beautiful. Amazing the difference between finished and unfinished wood!

The bracing seems quite thick, is that common on tenors?


(By the way, your middle name isn't Gibson is it? :))
Author:  dzsmith [ Tue Jan 28, 2014 6:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tenor Guitar Build - River Red Gum
Beautiful wood, Martin!
I Really like the colors.
Author:  martintaylor [ Tue Jan 28, 2014 7:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tenor Guitar Build - River Red Gum
Nick Royle wrote:
The bracing seems quite thick, is that common on tenors?
(By the way, your middle name isn't Gibson is it? :))


Hi Nick, I am still really experimenting with the bracing etc. The top is King Billy Pine which is not as stiff as spruce etc. and it is pretty thin (just 2mm) so the bracing helps (I think!) and because the steel strings end up with pretty high tension (especially the top A), I think it needs a little extra bracing. Once she is finished and strung up we'll really know. I am really just making it up as I go along :lol: :lol:
Author:  Nick Royle [ Tue Jan 28, 2014 7:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tenor Guitar Build - River Red Gum
Making it up as you go along... Sounds familiar!!! :)
Thicker bracing makes sense with the thin top!
Author:  martintaylor [ Sat Feb 01, 2014 4:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tenor Guitar Build - River Red Gum
Here she is, all finished! Sounds amazing. Will hopefully get some sounds recorded soon.

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Author:  martintaylor [ Wed Feb 05, 2014 4:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tenor Guitar Build - River Red Gum
So, finding a case for a Tenor Guitar is a little harder than expected. Off to the shed and now a case/road case is born.

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Author:  dzsmith [ Sun Feb 09, 2014 10:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tenor Guitar Build - River Red Gum
verhoevenc wrote:
A tutorial on the construction of that case would be AMAZING.
Side note: Guitar looks awesome. How fast that appears to have come together makes me feel ashamed hahaha.
Chris

I concur! Beautiful instrument.
The case is incredible - I'd really like to see some construction pictures and notes.
Dan
Author:  Mike Baker [ Sun Feb 09, 2014 1:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tenor Guitar Build - River Red Gum
verhoevenc wrote:
A tutorial on the construction of that case would be AMAZING.
Side note: Guitar looks awesome. How fast that appears to have come together makes me feel ashamed hahaha.
Chris

+3!
Author:  martintaylor [ Wed Mar 12, 2014 11:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tenor Guitar Build - River Red Gum
Excuse the rudimentary playing but I finally did a recording of this Tenor. Give a man GarageBand and anything is possible! The link is an mp3.

http://martintaylorguitars.com.au/audio/Cranium_Universe.mp3
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