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Nice looking box. Looks like a Martin OO to me scalloped bracing and all that.

Jay, Clinch is right, it a martin 00 rather than the Gibson. Its based around the Grellier 00 plans, though a marginally different shape due to being overzealous with the bobbin sander when making the forms.

Shes now fretted as well, and hopefully may get time to carve the neck tonight.

Due to the woods involved cherry back and sides and sycamore neck, do i need to bother pore filling?

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Nick

Follow my musings on getting started in luthiery http://www.tredwellinstruments.co.uk

Nick,
I'm unsure on the pore filling issue for cherry.... I used Pau Ferro for this build solely for the reason that it doesn't require pore filling, and wanted to see how it turned out. Maybe someone with experience finishing cherry will chime in...

--Jay

I just got done with my first attempt at pore filling. Used zpoxy. On all my other builds I filled the pores with lacquer. The issue is that with time the lacquer will sink into the pores and the finish will no longer be smooth. So pretty much if you can see the pores and you want to assure a nice mirror finish then yes you need some sort of pore fill.

I'm inclined to think that pore filling wont be required so I think ill give it a go without. Im also not after a high gloss finish so hopefully wont have any problems.

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Nick

Follow my musings on getting started in luthiery http://www.tredwellinstruments.co.uk

I have used cherry without pore filling and the rattle can laquer finish is high gloss and flat.

Quick update...

I am about halfway through applying the finish, I'm using Liberon Finishing oil, applied the same way as Tru Oil, lots of very this coats wiped on. Unfortunately due to work commitments etc I'm only managing 1 coat a day but should be finished by the end of the weekend.

I cant wait until I can her strung up not long now...









One question if anyone can help.

I'm assuming the answer is yes, but do i really need to glue the fretboard extension to the soundboard.

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Nick

Follow my musings on getting started in luthiery http://www.tredwellinstruments.co.uk

Yes, it provides extra stiffness in the neck area and i'm guessing the high notes could sound dull if it wasn't attached to anything. The guitar looks great btw.

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Classic guitar nicely executed, As Peter said yes it adds to the overall stiffness of your box.

Thanks for your comments and advise its very appreciated. Its going to be hard waiting for the finish to harden before fitting the bridge etc but i do have to make a bridge clamp or similar.

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Nick

Follow my musings on getting started in luthiery http://www.tredwellinstruments.co.uk

Well.. after a few tense moments gluing on the bridge, I managed to get my No. 1 strung up for the first time, and what can I say, it blows my expectations. When I with trepidation tuned her up for the first time I had serious doubts that she would play in tune but I can happily say my fears were unfounded. There are a few cosmetic flaws (mainly caused by impatience towards the end of the build as I just wanted to string her up) but these are all things that can be improved upon in later builds

I have only do a rough set-up so far, and will let things settle under tension before a full set-up, but am struggling to put it down. Ill take some decent photos when I get back from holiday in a couple of weeks.




Thank you everyone for their help and advise it is extremely appreciated.

Time to start planning No. 2 I have a few nice sets of English Walnut that are screaming out to be turned in to a guitar.

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Nick

Follow my musings on getting started in luthiery http://www.tredwellinstruments.co.uk

Woohoo! Excellent job. I really like the shape of the bridge.

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"I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it."
Pablo Picasso

https://www.facebook.com/FenskeGuitars

Congratulations, Nick! I remember stringing up my first, and just praying that the bridge would stay on! You've done yourself proud with a beautiful instrument.... cant wait to hear the sound clip!

--Jay

Thank you for the kind comments guys. I've enjoyed every minute of the build and looking forward to developing my skills on number 2.


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Nick

Follow my musings on getting started in luthiery http://www.tredwellinstruments.co.uk

Looks Fantastic !

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Well done, it is a great feeling when you get those strings on. That bridge looks fantastic too. Looking forward to hearing it.

Nice. What's the bridge weigh in at?

I'm wondering if mine at around 26-28gm are too heavy......or too light.....

Unfortunately, I don't have suitable scales at home, and was too impatient to take it in to work to weigh it on the postal scales. The Bog Oak I used for the bridge was really heavy so I would expect it to be on the heavy side.

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Nick

Follow my musings on getting started in luthiery http://www.tredwellinstruments.co.uk

It depends on how you are building. If you have gone the very light route, the bridge should be light so it can be as responsive as possible - Trevor Gore gets them down to about 15g. On the other hand, if you are building 'standard' guitars, heavier bridges are better as they can provide more power to drive the stiffer top, in which case your bridge would be fine.

_________________
"I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it."
Pablo Picasso

https://www.facebook.com/FenskeGuitars

Thought it was about time I posted a few pictures of the build. So here goes...

















Overall I'm really happy with the outcome, there are a few cosmetic defects, but hey it makes a noise and its plays in tune so that's a big tick in my book for number 1.

Right time to get started on Number 2, I'm thinking of using the same body shape but in English walnut this time, but possibly with a slightly longer scale length to help with alternate tunings and I quite fancy trying a sound port. I'm in the process of building a new (sturdier) workbench first so will probably be a few weeks before starting.

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Nick

Follow my musings on getting started in luthiery http://www.tredwellinstruments.co.uk

Well done, Nick!! Congratulations on a beautiful instrument....

Thanks Jay

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Nick

Follow my musings on getting started in luthiery http://www.tredwellinstruments.co.uk

Nick, this is such a fantastic instrument. Are you planning on uploading these pictures and a sound clip to the voting thread? I'd hate for it not to get the recognition it deserves....

--Jay

Jay

I have already added the place holder picture, but must put the other pictures up, will try and do it tomorrow. May struggle with the sound clip though as don't really have anything to record it with but ill see what i can do.

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Nick

Follow my musings on getting started in luthiery http://www.tredwellinstruments.co.uk