BR06623's 2012 Challenge Build Thread -- COMPLETED

[mkhhunt]

Looking good so far. Keep it up and good luck!

[BR06623]

Well, I decided to take more wood out of the chambers and make some of them larger too. Helped the weight, seems nice now. Cleaned up the routes too, just couldn't stand to leave it sloppy!

[BR06623]

I routed the top and back of the body to the template and have them ready to glue! They matched perfectly and had very little tear out! I was really worried that the very old veneer from the sewing machine (Patent Date was 1893 and they stopped making them in 1909) would chip off horribly. Still waiting to see what happens when I do the roundover. I will try on a small piece. If it chips too much, I will just have to use a rasp.

To try to keep the top piece intact, I placed it under the larger piece, face up, and used a top bearing trim bit in the router. Seems like it worked.

[BR06623]

Smeared lots of Tite Bond, was gonna take pictures but it was drying fast. Thought I should get the top in place and clamped. Used all the clamps I had that would fit, and placed a couple of wood screws in the uncut neck pocked, neck pickup route and control route. It has been clamped since 5:00pm yesterday, so it should be good to go by now. We will see!

[BR06623]

Well, I was trying for 1 and 3/4 inch thickness. Missed it by almost a whole 1/16".

[BR06623]

Looks like I will be working on the neck again today. So far, I have routed for truss rod, rough cut the outline, and looked and looked and thought and thought....read several threads, and thought some more. I think I am ready to do it!

I also worked on the fret board last evening. Looks like my frets will line up just fine!

[BR06623]

Originally Posted by mkhhunt

Looking good so far. Keep it up and good luck!

Thanks!

[BR06623]

Was just looking at DesmoDog's entry and noticed that the official entry form is in nearly every photo. Is that required?

[Lucretia]

Originally Posted by BR06623

Was just looking at DesmoDog's entry and noticed that the official entry form is in nearly every photo. Is that required?

No, I thought about that too. I checked the rules, it doesn't state that, it just states it has to be in the first materials one. I'm just slapping it in every now and then so it doesn't look like I'm cheating - I'm not btw :D I think there will be others to print as milestones/proof as well, but am unsure...that's how I read the original message about the challenge.

Luke.

[nosmo]

I haven't seen anything about any other "proof " pictures yet, but I read that too before this started. I think you have to use it again if you get some new materials during the build. I think I will need more stuff, so I'm gonna take a pic with the proof before I cut it just to be safe.

[BR06623]

Made some progress today. Cut the neck, routed to the template, finished cutting fret slots and rough cut the fret board. Did some sanding on the sides of the body. I think the body and neck are going to look nice together as well as the bolivian rosewood fretboard. What do you think? Any suggestions?

[nosmo]

Well since you asked....I think your top is awesome. I've said it on other threads, I'm a wood guy. I like the grain. Any finish that shows it off I think is good. Could be transparent tint, stain, dye, clear, etc. I mean, I like bursts too, but I like to see the grain.

[BR06623]

Originally Posted by nosmo

Well since you asked....I think your top is awesome. I've said it on other threads, I'm a wood guy. I like the grain. Any finish that shows it off I think is good. Could be transparent tint, stain, dye, clear, etc. I mean, I like bursts too, but I like to see the grain.

Thanks for the feedback! The top was previously stained dark and this is what showed up when I sanded it. I will use a brownish stain and try to show off the figuring. I have done a sample and the highlights turned out a golden color with the brown and black grain in the background. Just hoping I don't mess it up!

[nosmo]

It's probably that dark stain that was on it that makes the figure pop like that. When you do your samples, try a light stain also to see if the contrast helps. Just a thought.

[BR06623]

Originally Posted by nosmo

It's probably that dark stain that was on it that makes the figure pop like that. When you do your samples, try a light stain also to see if the contrast helps. Just a thought.

I will give it a try. Thanks!

[Barncaster]

Well done BR. I love it when people repurpose old materials! It's my first scratch build too.
There's nothing like learning new skills!

Barncaster

[crazydave911]

Sweet! That is really looking great , really liking the jigs too . Wish my first one had looked like this

Good job!

Dave

[Guitar novice]

Your making good progress.

The fretting jig looks good.

Can't wait to see more.

Cheers

[adirondak5]

Looking good BR, that rosewood is nice , so is the top

[BR06623]

Thanks. It is kind of a "shot in the dark" for me with the jig. Trying to save money by using the free templates on this forum and comparing them to my strat fretboard. Not sure how deep to go with the slots and just hoping that the saw kerf is wide enough.