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Australian Entry.....nickinbruns http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10134&t=38851	Page 1 of 5

Author:	nickinbruns [ Wed Jan 09, 2013 3:43 pm ]
Post subject:	Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
After some clarifications, and satisfying myself that I am participating in the spirit of the challenge, I'm tossing my hat into the ring----most likely to be quickly followed by the towel Anyway, I have two very different projects in mind for my third, and don't know which to go for. #1 is an OM, with or without a cutaway, to be made of AAA Sitka, Tasmanian Blackheart Sassafrass with New Zealand Puriri(NZ teak) fingerboard and bridge, with other details to be decided as progress allows. #2 is a Tenor after Antes Regal Tenor plan, made from Tasmanian Huon Pine top, Queensland Maple back sides and neck, Tasmanian Tiger Myrtle bindings, bridge and headplate with a West Australian Lace She Oak fingerboard. This will be my third, as I'm putting aside my current project, like another entrant, to stay within the spirit of the competition. Nice idea to stimulate the new builders, without the presence of those of you who are good at this to dissuade entries.... Anyway, I'm in....

Author:	WudWerkr [ Wed Jan 09, 2013 4:13 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
Glad to see you Joining .... Now to get the Lady in your life to hide the Towels and we will be in business ! Enjoy and welcome to the Circus !

Author:	Hastings Guitars [ Wed Jan 09, 2013 4:53 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
Hi Nick, Wud confirmed to me that I was good to go in the contest, so I think your all good too. Looking forward to seeing this one progress. Ed.

Author:	nickinbruns [ Wed Jan 09, 2013 5:47 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
Here are my timber options. First the Blackheart, and you all know what Brent Cole Sr's AAA Sitka looks like...Then the Huon Pine and the Qld Maple. Attachment: image.jpg Attachment: image.jpg Attachment: image.jpg I have to admit, that I'm leaning towards the Tenor, as I haven't built one and it's using all-Australian timbers, which mightn't be too often seen by you Northern Hemisphere blokes...

Author:	Alex Kleon [ Wed Jan 09, 2013 6:18 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
Wow! Nice looking stuff, Nick! Whatever you decide on, it'll look great! If you want to get rid of the leftovers, I'll send some stamps! Alex

Author:	ZekeM [ Wed Jan 09, 2013 6:31 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
Black heart all the way! And I want you to tell me where I can find some!

Author:	nickinbruns [ Wed Jan 09, 2013 9:32 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
I think the thing to do might be to have a go at both of them. Can't be too much more complex than building one at a time, can it? Since they are both using different molds, and all, I can keep them relatively separate and reap the economies of scale by doing the tasks for two guitars at the same time..... Might get the missus to leave one small towel around..... Zeke, I think someone mentioned on another forum that LMI has some, but it was really dear. Australian Tonewoods often has some, but I don't know how problematic posting to the US would be for Tim, given the Lacey Act and all..... Good luck with the builds, guys, and I look forward to seeing your results....

Author:	nickinbruns [ Thu Jan 10, 2013 5:57 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
As I built my first in around 6 weeks, I'm gonna take my time and do every step of this properly. So, first step was to build a mold and stretchers for the Tenor. Attachment: image.jpg Next, I'll make proper stretchers for the OM mold I built for my first one. The timber is now in my poor man's dry room for a few weeks at 40-45%RH before doing anything with it, so I'll just make and re-make a few of my jigs and forms and stuff in preparation....

Author:	nickinbruns [ Fri Jan 11, 2013 8:31 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
Restaurant isn't open for lunch today, so i had some time to get a few things on the move.... Firstly, shot the backs to get nice straight top edges. Didn't do that on my last and ended up with a bit of an odd twist in the side. Cut off some strips from the Blackheart to make bindings out of, and re-trued the side pieces. Glued some B/W/B purfling to the bindings and "clamped" them up. Attachment: image.jpg Shot the tops and backs for the guitars, and managed to fit three of the four on my workboard. All apologies to Robbie O'Brien and LMI, but for the price, the joiner isn't worth it IMO. I've got three of the four glued up using a nail press, and tomorrow will do the 4th, but would have four days wait, or four times the cost.... Attachment: image.jpg Attachment: image.jpg "Thickness sanded" my bindings to 2mm using me handy dandy home made gizmo.... Attachment: image.jpg Those of you who know what you're doing and have the proper equipment may want to look away Might bend the sides tomorrow, but need to decide on a cutaway or not for the OM....

Author:	Alex Kleon [ Fri Jan 11, 2013 8:52 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
Look away! Are you kidding! Any home made tool or jig is more money to buy wood, instead of going to Stewmac et al! And no, I don't know what I'm doing. Alex

Author:	nickinbruns [ Sun Jan 13, 2013 3:40 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
Started on the necks for these two. The OM will be Sassafras. One piece, with a heel extension. The Tenor will be Qld Maple, scarf joint(my first) and a stacked heel. Two pieces oriented perpendicular to the neck and grain matched to give a more interesting look.... Attachment: image.jpg Attachment: image.jpg Also, plates joined and marked out, to be thicknessed this week. Attachment: image.jpg

Author:	nickinbruns [ Mon Jan 14, 2013 5:45 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
While I think I'm committed to the Queensland Maple for the back and sides of the Tenor, I just got this lot in the post yesterday, and am very tempted to swap over.... The odd piece is for the bindings on the tenor, and there is lots of Tiger Myrtle on it already, so I think I'll stash this for a future project. Another Tenor, or a couple Ukuleles if I ever decide to make one of them.... Attachment: image.jpg Pretty cool looking stuff....And, got it cheap.

Author:	Casey Cochran [ Mon Jan 14, 2013 8:55 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
You can't go wrong with any of that wood. If it's any reassurance for you, I really like the Queensland Maple, too.

Author:	68matts [ Tue Jan 15, 2013 9:29 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
Hi Nick, I'd like to see you go ahead with the tenor as well, that's a nice piece of Q/M and I would like to see how the Huon works for you. I have a piece lying around here that I'm not sure what to do with BTW where did you get your tenor plan? Matt

Author:	nickinbruns [ Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:17 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
Ah! G'day Matt. I thicknessed the huon, and it taps pretty nicely, despite all the nay-sayers. Sounds much like the spruce I've got going along side. The maple is gonna get used. On sanding clean, it has some nice figure in it, too. I inlaid a backstrip yesterday, and flushed it up this morning. Ought to have the plates all thicknessed tomorrow or next day. Then some good RH for awhile, and I can get the sides sorted while that's going on. Still working out how to get a few ideas I have done, but that's what time is for.... Can't remember where the plans came from. I can post them down to you when I'm done if you like. I'll have a poke around and let you know if I find the site. I think I saved it Cheers, Nick

Author:	68matts [ Wed Jan 16, 2013 4:43 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
Thanks Nick I'll have a look around as well, it shouldn't be too hard to find something but if I have any trouble I might take you up on that offer. Cheers

Author:	Tony_in_NYC [ Wed Jan 16, 2013 10:25 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
Dat Sassafrass! It is sweet. Nice looking work so far. Keep it up!

Author:	nickinbruns [ Wed Jan 16, 2013 3:56 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
Chris, Mate, there are plenty of times I wish i could get "normal" timbers for less than the price of a kidney. You know, a bit of flamed maple, some nice walnut, etc, etc, spruce for less than the cost of a new car.....Don't hate us because our timber is beautiful.... Thanks Tony. Happy so far. Lots of time left, so I'm taking it slow.....

Author:	nickinbruns [ Fri Jan 18, 2013 7:57 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
Had a bit of time this morning, so I started on the Tenor top. I want to do something diffeent for this one, and play around with a few ideas, so I'm inlaying a front strap, if you will. B/W/B/W/B purfling that will mimic the back and tie into the top and back purfling. I have a few other ideas that I'll work out later in the build. Anyway, I made the bindings and glued the B/W/B to them. Attachment: image.jpg Then routed out the rosette. Attachment: image.jpg Glued up the Rosette stock. I plan to have a solid rosette out of Tiger Myrtle, with a bit of a twist. I want to continue it into the soundhole and treat it as being bound....will see how that all goes...then B/W/B aroung the outside, tying into the "top strap." Attachment: image.jpg I like the idea, but the execution is still to come.....

Author:	nickinbruns [ Sat Jan 19, 2013 9:34 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
i'll think about it, and see what's around, Chris. I like building with Aussie timber, but. I reckon one ought to use native or nearby stuff as much as possible.. Meanwhile, I did a bit more on the rosette for the Tenor. Couple pix sanded back to 120 and with a wash sealer of shellac. Pity to cut out the Tiger Myrtle, but I'm not going with a soundport.....Maybe it's easier to see the "top strap" idea I'm working on here in these photos. Needs a bit of black fill in a couple spots, and final work, but I quite like the look so far... Attachment: image.jpg Attachment: image.jpg

Author:	nickinbruns [ Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:29 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
Also cut out the back and a back headplate from the back plate. Heel cap is gluing up, also from the Q.Maple. Nice bit of figure in this set.... Attachment: image.jpg Before you all ask, I thought that simply inlaying the strip on the front of the soundboard would be a bit weak, so I routed out a channel on the back of the plate, and inlayed a strip of counter-grained spruce to strengthen the joint... Attachment: image.jpg And, here is the stock for the headplate from Tiger Myrtle as well.... Attachment: image.jpg

Author:	nickinbruns [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 5:46 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
OK, bent the sides, but didn't take a pic, as we all know what sides in a mold look like. I also unclamped, and sanded clean, the headplate. This one will have a front and a bck plate. This is Tiger Myrtle with B/W/B/W/B purfling in the centre. I'm using the BWBWB as a theme on this guitar, so you'll see it alot....Anyway, here's a pic, and the heel cap will likely come out of this as well.... Attachment: image.jpg Pretty nice graining in this one....

Author:	ZekeM [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 8:49 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
That grain is insane in the membrane! I want you to pack up all the tiger myrtle you can find that looks like that. Pack it up nice and tight and ship it to cross plains Tennessee! Why are you still standing there? Go go go!

Author:	Casey Cochran [ Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:01 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
Looking good, Nick! Loving that Queensland Maple. Just beautiful.

Author:	WudWerkr [ Wed Jan 23, 2013 12:15 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Australian Entry.....nickinbruns
That is some beautiful wood !

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