Crazydave911's Former Challenge Build

It's on! :grin:

Indeed. can't wait to see what you come up with :cool:

Go Dave Go!!... Oh wait a minute... Tomorrow that is... :)

Joining again?? Are you crazy Dave?? :D

Go Dave Go!!... Oh wait a minute... Tomorrow that is... :)

LMAO :lol:, you scamp!

Joining again?? Are you crazy Dave?? :D

It's in the name :lol:

It's good to see most of the gang here :smile:

Joining again?? Are you crazy Dave?? :D

Yes... yes he is. :razz:

Joining again?? Are you crazy Dave?? :D

Yes... yes he is. :razz:

He sure is. But it's the beautiful kind of crazy.

He sure is. But it's the beautiful kind of crazy.

:oops:, thanks a million! :oops:

Loving seeing you guys :wink:

Good Luck!! Gonna be a fun ride this year.

It's on! :grin:

Like

http://www.dan-dare.org/FreeFun/Images/DonkeyKong.jpg

Somebody had to say it :razz:.

Good luck! Looking forward to it. Don't forget to enjoy the trip!

Cheers, Dave!
Don't be surprised if you find me begging for more electronics help this year (haha)... seriously...

Good Luck!! Gonna be a fun ride this year

It sure is, and we better hold on tight :lol:

Like

http://www.dan-dare.org/FreeFun/Images/DonkeyKong.jpg

Somebody had to say it :razz:.
Yes, and I'm kinda glad it was you :wink:

Good luck! Looking forward to it. Don't forget to enjoy the trip!
No worries my friend, it's what makes this worth it (goodbye to sleep! :shock:)

Cheers, Dave!
Don't be surprised if you find me begging for more electronics help this year (haha)... seriously...
At your service, as always :smile:

Indeed. can't wait to see what you come up with :cool:
Only one hint.............it won't have six strings :razz:

This is going to be fun!

The usual suspects!

Good Luck, Dave. :mrgreen:

This is going to be fun!

It already is :lol:, OH BY THE WAY! If you do move down Georgia way before my vacation in July, youze got to let me know. I visit my ex brother in law the week of the fourth every year for music, barbque, and mayhem up on Lookout Mtn. If your local by then, you gotta come!!! Hey, I'm allowed to invite guests :lol:

The usual suspects!

Good Luck, Dave. :mrgreen:

Thanks Phil :wink:

Should be a blast... enjoy yourself!

Am smiling just seeing all this activity of folks getting ready to be creative. Have fun and good luck.

Should be a blast... enjoy yourself!
That advice............will be heeded! :smile:.

Am smiling just seeing all this activity of folks getting ready to be creative. Have fun and good luck.

Thanks guys, I'm looking forward to building with you! :grin:

Yeah Dave! I'm sure it will be an entertaining thread.

Thanks guys, I'm looking forward to building with you! :grin:

Right back at ya Dave :grin:

Go easy on us old blokes, not so Crazy.

DC

good luck Dave, i can't wait to see what you have in mind.:grin:

I gotta hand it to you Dave, you've wished every single contestant good luck.
That's good sportmanship!

I gotta hand it to you Dave, you've wished every single contestant good luck.
That's good sportmanship!

+1. Great to have you here, Dave.

Here we go again. It is time to get crazy!!!!

I gotta hand it to you Dave, you've wished every single contestant good luck.
That's good sportmanship!

Many thanks :oops:

+1. Great to have you here, Dave.

Be here, or be square :lol:

Here we go again. It is time to get crazy!!!!

Something............that takes absolutely NO effort on my part :cool:

Well, as usual, I'm a little late to the party. But, glad to have you on board Dave. :grin:

First up, I had to remodel the shop/room :lol:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-D7lVQKAfy7w/T2Cuz62GsFI/AAAAAAAAA9w/GtOkx_7LH0s/s800/CD1341.JPG

I'm kinda proud of it :smile:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c-S4M-MUNUM/T2Cu0H6eN_I/AAAAAAAAA94/wG4B0WwewKI/s800/CD1342.JPG


And finally, the proof pic

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EnQn3MMFD4I/T2Cu2Q-VmZI/AAAAAAAAA-M/94WRlHDLxC0/s800/CD1345.JPG

Kinda tame..........for me :lol:. Eastern red cedar for the body (from Grainger Co, right here in East Tn)
Curly maple, for the neck (from Pennsylvania)
Spalted maple for the top (from North Carolina)
Indian rosewood for the fretboard (from..............who knows :lol:)

A simple lineup, for hopefully a simple build. I've been waiting a lot of years to build this guitar (and almost didn't this time, for fear I'd fudge it up :lol:)


Dave

Can't wait to see this! Good luck, man!

Nice choice of wood, I'm sure it will turn out beautiful.

Dave, it's only 9:00am on start day out here on the Left Coast, and you're almost to page 2 of your build thread!

You know, that makes me think about prizes for threads! Most interesting read, Best Documentation, etc.

Nice choice of wood, I'm sure it will turn out beautiful.
Thanks, bought it on my road trip, in Robbinsville, NC. Nice little town in a lot of ways, but unless you've been there before (I had), and had a compelling reason to go (I did), it's not somewhere you'd go, because it's not on the way to anywhere (and they like it that way :grin:). Nice folks (and kick-ass trout fishing.............in season of course :lol:)

Dave


Dave, it's only 9:00am on start day out here on the Left Coast, and you're almost to page 2 of your build thread!
Welcome from the Raider nation! :smile:. Yeh, and most of it just sayin' howdy to friends and new, soon to be friends :grin:. I take people, wood, and animals seriously (we're meant to be caretakers of these :wink:), the rest? Not so much :lol:

You know, that makes me think about prizes for threads! Most interesting read, Best Documentation, etc.

One of my few skills, is telling a story :lol:. Thanks for stopping by and come back anytime :wink:

You have some great looking wood there Dave! But i'm sure you hear that allot :) Good luck man cant wait to see this build.

Something about that Red Cedar sure does invoke memories of "warmth".
Looking forward to this build.

You have some great looking wood there
:shock:

But i'm sure you hear that allot
:shock::shock:

Good luck man cant wait to see this build
Thanks man, sorry, just couldn't resist :lol:. I'm looking forward to yours...............build that is :lol::lol:

That looks like a lot of timber for just one guitar Dave. I'd take it off your hands if you have too much.

Good luck Crazy- can I call you crazy?

Hey Dave, I just wanted to show you my new sig :mrgreen:

Wow, nice shop. It's so--neat and organized. I never thought of that. What's it like? How do you manage to waste long minutes, if not hours, looking for tools and stuff you've put down and buried under tons of subsequent junk and then can't find again?

Interesting concept, I'll have to ponder on that a while.

But seriously, Dave, you're a mainstay here, always interesting to see what you're up to.

BTW, the bloodwood I'm using in my challenge build came from Robbinsville, maybe the same lumber co--? My son gave it to me as a gift two Christmasses ago, its time to use it in a worthy project.

You know I wish you good times and that this guitar becomes something very special for you.

enjoy,
Bret

Your shop looks alot neater than mine. I've already lost a couple clamps! I'm sure they're on the floor somewhere.

Purdy stack of stuff there Dave. Good to see you again. :) :) Best of luck bud! And "Laissez les bon temps rouler" (Let the good times roll) ;) :)

You disqualified already!
Your shop is way too neat!!!!! :lol:

You know I wish you good times and that this guitar becomes something very special for you.

enjoy,
Bret
That's possible. The guitar I built for last year's Challenge is my #1 player. Once I get this Challenge guitar built, I'll be disassembling last year's so I can put a proper lacquer finish on it. Then it will be perfect. Had to rush the finish last year, and it's the only thing I've not been satisfied with. Hope that doesn't happen this year.
Good luck, Dave. Looks already like it's gonna be a beautiful guitar.

Looks like a good start. Can't wait to see what that pile of wood turns into. Good luck.

Good luck Crazy- can I call you crazy?
Sure, my Dad always did :lol:, but most of my friends call me Dave

Hey Dave, I just wanted to show you my new sig :mrgreen:
OMG https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uLVNRh6Y0QY/Txg9Z142igI/AAAAAAAAAt8/2XQ4YU16UkQ/s800/icon_roflmao.gif

Wow, nice shop. It's so--neat and organized. I never thought of that. What's it like? How do you manage to waste long minutes, if not hours, looking for tools and stuff you've put down and buried under tons of subsequent junk and then can't find again?

Interesting concept, I'll have to ponder on that a while
Yeppers, it's a big improvment from last year. I just took a cue from old Manhattan, if you can't build out and around, build up :wink:

But seriously, Dave, you're a mainstay here, always interesting to see what you're up to
Now there's a thought. I came here after the first build challenge (like a lot of the new crop came after last yrs). I sat and read threads 6 months or more before I even ventured a comment (my way, I realize). The first thing I learned was I wasn't going to set the world on fire, these guys were at this a long time and there was some real pros in these parts. Being an amateur (in every sense of the word, and a might quirky to boot) I set out to meet people and learn. The folks that do this are of a certain mindset, but as individual as grains of sand. The strength of this forum is people, from Paul (TDPRI) on down, and as a rule, a class act. This is rare, especially on the net, and I came to find why so many folks took such a proprietery attitude, It's a special place like no other :smile:

BTW, the bloodwood I'm using in my challenge build came from Robbinsville, maybe the same lumber co--? My son gave it to me as a gift two Christmasses ago, its time to use it in a worthy project
A lot of cool things come through there from time to time. Andrews furniture over in Maggie Valley used to dump a lot of their scrap there. The first piece of paduak I ever saw/had/used, came from a dump pile in a pallet making shop :lol:. I go back at least every other year,and have for 20+ yrs, a unique place :wink:


Dave

Now there's a thought. I came here after the first build challenge (like a lot of the new crop came after last yrs). I sat and read threads 6 months or more before I even ventured a comment (my way, I realize). The first thing I learned was I wasn't going to set the world on fire, these guys were at this a long time and there was some real pros in these parts. Being an amateur (in every sense of the word, and a might quirky to boot) I set out to meet people and learn. The folks that do this are of a certain mindset, but as individual as grains of sand. The strength of this forum is people, from Paul (TDPRI) on down, and as a rule, a class act. This is rare, especially on the net, and I came to find why so many folks took such a proprietery attitude, It's a special place like no other :smile:

Well said, I think I browsed for a year and came to a similar conclusion, there's some serious talent here and they are sharing wisdom, that's rare.

You know I wish you good times and that this guitar becomes something very special for you.

enjoy,
Bret
God bless and keep you Bret

Your shop looks alot neater than mine. I've already lost a couple clamps! I'm sure they're on the floor somewhere.

You disqualified already!
Your shop is way too neat!!!!! :lol:
Been working on it a couple of months or more and haven't gotten any building done, it oughta be :lol:

Purdy stack of stuff there Dave. Good to see you again. :) :) Best of luck bud! And "Laissez les bon temps rouler" (Let the good times roll) ;) :)
Thanks, maybe I'll do it justice :roll:. Wheres you been keepin' yor bad self? Good to see you as well

Looks like a good start. Can't wait to see what that pile of wood turns into. Good luck.
Kinda curious about that myself :smile:

Well, between a trip to the Depot, and putting a work top on my table (and varnishing it :neutral:) I didn't get a whole lot done except glue up my body blank. I bought this cedar a couple months ago (I think) and had it milled. Having no planer or joiner I had no choice. Given that I don't generally build in the normal way ( like this for instance :lol:) this seemed a little too...................easy? (please don't hit me :lol:)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JNV0NhwajrA/T2FqgM2BdSI/AAAAAAAAA-o/aBs5RJofNtI/s800/CD1346.JPG
Getting it ready to glue here (and yes, I pegged it to maintain alignment)

These are views before I added the top clamps (this is the top, the back looks somewhat better :smile:)

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GM9JJKqYCJI/T2Fqf-YfJeI/AAAAAAAAA-k/D6b-wIcDtC4/s800/CD1347.JPG

After taking this pic I wondered again, "what the hell was the reason, again, that you never bought a Workmate? :mad:"
What can I say, I'm a stubborn and slow learner :roll:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ndOZDh1p43U/T2FqgG4phCI/AAAAAAAAA-w/GE2TYrBlcAM/s800/CD1348.JPG

You know, there's a chance............this will look good :smile:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Za6I1Zf2JWw/T2FqhVyLkfI/AAAAAAAAA-8/go5YRwKWl18/s800/CD1349.JPG


Well that's a 'bout it for tonite guys. Last I checked there was 102 signed up this year. I was wondering if we'd break 100 this time. I'm glad to see we did. I also noted, there was some first timers who just signed up to try this, and more than a few long time members who were doing this for the first time. I take these both as a good sign. Knowledge is power, more is better. I was one of those meanies last year, who suggested making necks be mandatory in the Challenge, and tried in my build to show it as simple as possible as an encouragement. I'm glad to see it's drawn more than it's driven away. This is a great community to be a part of..............and it's growing :wink:

This is a great place. I never would have tried to build a neck on my first build, but thanks to the folks here......I am! The weird part is I'm not even nervous about it. I know if I have trouble the advise & help will come out of the woodwork (or wood chips or - oh you know what I mean).

102 Threads and I bet you welcomed every one of them.

You know, there's a chance............this will look good :smile:


I'd say more than a chance , it'll look great.
On the Work mate , they are great .

Hey Dave- You're off to a great start. Love the neatness of your shop bench. After your visit to mine last week you must have been motivated to organize(ha ha).
Stay in touch and call if you need anything.
I'm still trying to decide what to build.

Last I checked there was 102 signed up this year. I was wondering if we'd break 100 this time.
101 in my count

Its going to take me 3 months to read all the builds!!

Just hope I do more building than reading.... i find tdpri can be quite time consuming 8v)

101 in my count

Are you sure? :smile:

I count 102 also

I'm finally about caught up on my shop work, so maybe I can get something done :smile:. This is the result of last night's trip to the depot. I figured what good was it having a Workmate if it didn't have a few attachments :lol:

A planer sled table, sets on it's own on a workbench, also has a center-block so you can clamp it to the Workmate :wink:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6Jybcho1Pb0/T2J71cGq-xI/AAAAAAAAA_I/CNQfL38vLaQ/s800/CD1351.JPG

I figured as long as I had to buy an 2' X 4' sheet of mdf to get that, I might as well make a matching router table out of the other half :grin:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8wIbO3jjeys/T2J71cSLVZI/AAAAAAAAA_M/wXrnvSnJCII/s800/CD1352.JPG

And this is the sled itself :mrgreen:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xg_R7IKX33o/T2J72-cd0XI/AAAAAAAAA_c/teFEfcLW1xM/s800/CD1353.JPG

And finally the family portrait :smile: (now where's that job offer from Black & Decker? :lol:)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kf6IMj3TKvg/T2J71TWZCrI/AAAAAAAAA_E/Z6dcAOc3P3g/s800/CD1350.JPG

I'll admit, I'm tickled (Southern term :lol:), but whoever it was that said mdf is nasty stuff, wasn't telling the half of it :shock:

See ya' later :wink:


Dave

Woo hoo , Dave is going tool time on us ! Good looking sled and router table . I like mdf for its ease in making templates and jigs and such but I also hate it for the dust and mess when cutting, routing , or sanding , and drilling it , its a PAIN.

This one should be interesting :cool:

Oh man this is looking awesome already, I'm thinking of entering myself, how did that mdf work for sides last year was it any good?

Dave your sled is perdier than the last three guitars I made!

Great stuff. Love the workmate attachments, cool idea, makes a useful tool even more useful.

Wait, I didn't know we were being judged on neatness. Just great....another reason for
me to fail.

(good work on the "attachments")

Oh man this is looking awesome already, I'm thinking of entering myself, how did that mdf work for sides last year was it any good?

Sides? My Tenorcaster from last year had poplar sides. Not sure of the reference here :confused:


Dave your sled is perdier than the last three guitars I made!

:shock:

Nahhh, gotta be your imagination :lol: (but thanks for the compliment :smile:)


Dave

Well, between a trip to the Depot, and putting a work top on my table (and varnishing it :neutral:) I didn't get a whole lot done except glue up my body blank. I bought this cedar a couple months ago (I think) and had it milled. Having no planer or joiner I had no choice. Given that I don't generally build in the normal way ( like this for instance :lol:) this seemed a little too...................easy? (please don't hit me :lol:)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JNV0NhwajrA/T2FqgM2BdSI/AAAAAAAAA-o/aBs5RJofNtI/s800/CD1346.JPG
Getting it ready to glue here (and yes, I pegged it to maintain alignment)

These are views before I added the top clamps (this is the top, the back looks somewhat better :smile:)

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GM9JJKqYCJI/T2Fqf-YfJeI/AAAAAAAAA-k/D6b-wIcDtC4/s800/CD1347.JPG

After taking this pic I wondered again, "what the hell was the reason, again, that you never bought a Workmate? :mad:"
What can I say, I'm a stubborn and slow learner :roll:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ndOZDh1p43U/T2FqgG4phCI/AAAAAAAAA-w/GE2TYrBlcAM/s800/CD1348.JPG

You know, there's a chance............this will look good :smile:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Za6I1Zf2JWw/T2FqhVyLkfI/AAAAAAAAA-8/go5YRwKWl18/s800/CD1349.JPG


Well that's a 'bout it for tonite guys. Last I checked there was 102 signed up this year. I was wondering if we'd break 100 this time. I'm glad to see we did. I also noted, there was some first timers who just signed up to try this, and more than a few long time members who were doing this for the first time. I take these both as a good sign. Knowledge is power, more is better. I was one of those meanies last year, who suggested making necks be mandatory in the Challenge, and tried in my build to show it as simple as possible as an encouragement. I'm glad to see it's drawn more than it's driven away. This is a great community to be a part of..............and it's growing :wink:

Hey Dave, thanks for pushing me over the edge! I was intimidated by the neck build part, but I am giving it a try! That's what it took to be in the challenge. Also, looking at these photos, it is very apparent to me that I need a Workmate table. Antique sewing machine frame with cheap finger-jointed slab top seems limited. I will be watching your build! Good luck.

Hey Dave, thanks for pushing me over the edge! I was intimidated by the neck build part, but I am giving it a try!
Your quite welcome :smile:


Also, looking at these photos, it is very apparent to me that I need a Workmate table
Don't knock yourself, or overestimate tech. That plain old plastic/walmart picnic table has had a LOT of guitars built/repaired there. If anything, the Workmate has a rep to to live up too :wink:


Antique sewing machine frame with cheap finger-jointed slab top seems limited. I will be watching your build! Good luck
The only limits are your will, imagination and confidence--you can do this:wink: And thanks, I'll need the luck :lol:


Dave

Hmmmm, was just browsing some of the builds and it seems I may have left something out :roll:
I was sure I mentioned this was going to be a snake-head 12-string :confused:, but can't seem to find it :sad:

:rolleyes:, yes, it's going to be a snakehead.........12-string! :lol:

(boy sometimes I kill me :lol:)

Have a good day guys!


Dave

Oh crap my bad i dont know why i forgot it was poplar my bad

A 12 string Snakehead! Damn that going to be something to behold. Happy building Dave!

Hmmmm, was just browsing some of the builds and it seems I may have left something out :roll:
I was sure I mentioned this was going to be a snake-head 12-string :confused:, but can't seem to find it :sad:

:rolleyes:, yes, it's going to be a snakehead.........12-string! :lol:

(boy sometimes I kill me :lol:)

Have a good day guys!

Dave

Holy cow ! A 12 string snakehead , didn't see that coming , that will be uber awesome . You should change you forum name to crazy&surprisingdave :D

I like your router table. I really need to make me one, but I've got nowhere to store it. And I'm not sure how to mount the router under the table. Need to do some searching here after this contest is over. I'm sure the information i need is here somewhere.
Good work so far!

What color will it be? I vote seafoam green!

I like it! Nice thing about the snakehead, too, is that you should have plenty of real estate for the tuners without having to completely redesign the shape.

Oh crap my bad i dont know why i forgot it was poplar my bad
No worries, it has been a year :lol:

A 12 string Snakehead! Damn that going to be something to behold. Happy building Dave!
Thank you! :smile:

Holy cow ! A 12 string snakehead , didn't see that coming , that will be uber awesome . You should change you forum name to crazy&surprisingdave :D
Lol, I've been wanting/avoiding this for at least 10+ years. When you count all the parts I've collected over the years (for various styles), I could probably build two more. I've never been able to pull the trigger because it was easier to not build this, than mess something up that meant so much to me. From The Beatles to Bon Jovi, I've loved 12-string electrics. Most have some quirky design feature that makes it hard to want to reproduce, but after all these years, with a careful blend, I think I've got the one I want to build. Stay tuned, more surprises to come :wink:

What color will it be? I vote seafoam green!
:shock::shock::shock:

:lol:

I like it! Nice thing about the snakehead, too, is that you should have plenty of real estate for the tuners without having to completely redesign the shape.
Your point is quite valid, especially if that was the way I was going to build the headstock :twisted:

Really looking forward to this, Dave!

I like your router table
Thanks Mike :smile:

I really need to make me one, but I've got nowhere to store it. And I'm not sure how to mount the router under the table
That's the beauty of it, you don't need a place to store it. Unlike the router sled which can work free-standing OR with the Workmate, the router table depends on the Workmate. It has two runners underneath (I'll try to take some pics), and instead of the Workmate clamping down on them to hold it (like the router sled), you insert the four little orange clamping cauls on the deck (like I used to clamp the body blank) facing out. As you open the deck it clamps the table in place. When not in use it will keep my templates company under my bed :lol:, easy peasy. Oh yeh, to attach your router base, I first marked centerpoint then punched a hole with a 2" hole-saw. Then you take the plastic base off your router and use it to mark mounting holes. You countersink the holes from the top of the table, then go to the hardware and get three more screws like hold the plastic base on, only an inch longer and with star washers. You use those screws to attach the base to the table and the regular screws to hold the normal baseplate. Is it as convenient to use as a regular routing table? No. But at only 2 inches high you can stand it behind a door or slide it under the bed. You may have to cut and make new boards for your Workmate, and if you don't have the clamping cauls, no worries, you can order them from Amazon-11$ for a bag of 4. If you want to order some let me know, I'll give you the part number :wink:


Good work so far!

Thanks again Mike :smile:



Dave

Hmmmm, was just browsing some of the builds and it seems I may have left something out :roll:
I was sure I mentioned this was going to be a snake-head 12-string :confused:, but can't seem to find it :sad:

:rolleyes:, yes, it's going to be a snakehead.........12-string! :lol:

(boy sometimes I kill me :lol:)

Have a good day guys!


Dave


THIS--WILL--BE--AWESOME !!!!:smile::cool::razz::lol::smile:

:shock::shock::shock:

:lol:


Is that a yes?

Is that a yes?

On 50yr old, figured Eastern Red cedar? Not too likely :lol:. Besides, I'm a surf green kinda guy. If it ain't the color of baby snot, it ain't green! :lol:

Dave

On 50yr old, figured Eastern Red cedar? Not too likely :lol:. Besides, I'm a surf green kinda guy. If it ain't the color of baby snot, it ain't green! :lol:

Dave

Well it looks like you've given me a reason to make a seafoam green snakehead myself. Now if I could only get decent at spraying so I wouldn't have to order twice as much from ReRanch (hope to get a spray gun in the next few months) to get an ok result...

Well it looks like you've given me a reason to make a seafoam green snakehead myself

Cool :cool:, I'm looking forward to seeing it :smile:

Thanks, Dave, regarding the router table. I can work with your description, and adapt it to fit my needs.

When I saw you using your workmate to clamp those boards together I got all excited to try that myself--then I found out today that my Japanese version isn't quite big enough to do that. :cry: Good thing I didn't have the glue on already.

Now I gotta buy some more clamps....

Thanks, Dave, regarding the router table. I can work with your description, and adapt it to fit my needs.

My pleasure :smile:


When I saw you using your workmate to clamp those boards together I got all excited to try that myself--then I found out today that my Japanese version isn't quite big enough to do that. :cry: Good thing I didn't have the glue on already.

Now I gotta buy some more clamps....


I can't imagine that if they copied a WM it wouldn't work. Do you have the clamping cauls for it? Or does it have any?

I can't imagine that if they copied a WM it wouldn't work. Do you have the clamping cauls for it? Or does it have any?

It's not an exact copy; it's Japan-sized. I have the bench dogs, but when the leaves are wide open, the two blanks I want to glue together are still hanging over the edges. But I'll use that trick the next time I have something smaller to glue. :smile:

Your router sled has inspired me, too! Gonna put one of those together today.:idea:

Man, go to work for a few days and you miss a lot around here :roll:
With my new sched I'm up at 4:30am (eastern) with the dawn patrol :lol:


Oh well, I've been doing a little each evening and this is the result :smile:

Got my body planed down (did find out I should have put stops on each end, nicked the pipes :oops:), this is the front side

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yZP3r8WVUVk/T2lDnPYQDkI/AAAAAAAAA_4/-YNqzGK_MlU/s800/CD1355.JPG

Doing the back :wink:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Fpd8k5fibbA/T2lDnPrMzLI/AAAAAAAAA_s/4r0N8h5BRPA/s800/CD1356.JPG

The top (which will be covered)

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rR2ni8ZpYXA/T2lM0NMCsqI/AAAAAAAABAc/3gxrmp33w9U/s800/CD1358.JPG

And the back, which will not be covered :smile:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CeKMmiKJH5Q/T2lM0C4XvhI/AAAAAAAABAk/suHKRZcy9eo/s800/CD1359.JPG


The body, ready to profile sand :cool:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Dla1W7UbemU/T2lDpb85JUI/AAAAAAAABAM/UwSYPEQ4Tag/s800/CD1364.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OXH5z31wFMk/T2lDpfwEhXI/AAAAAAAABAI/ZeKyDkqvpWo/s800/CD1366.JPG


Here is the spalted maple top being glued up. Out of the two I have, this is the least interesting. The top is going to be very "busy" anyway, and would take away from the fine pattern. This one isn't chopped liver however :lol:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MoDrlZ7mDcE/T2lDoyOl6lI/AAAAAAAABAE/iXag-rOIHCQ/s800/CD1362.JPG

BTW, the orangish smearing is from the shellac I wiped on the endgrain to prevent splitting. It won't be there soon :wink:

Now................I've got some threads to catch up on! :lol:


Dave

Man, go to work for a few days and you miss a lot around here :roll:
That's for sure! I usually spend all day at work....I mean on my lunch hour...watching threads just to keep caught up :lol:


And the back, which will not be covered :smile:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CeKMmiKJH5Q/T2lM0C4XvhI/AAAAAAAABAk/suHKRZcy9eo/s800/CD1359.JPG

That's puuuurdy, Dave

I like that cedar, Dave, and also the attachments you got
for your WorkMate. I have a small router table top for
mine, too. I was thinking I'd also like to make an attachment
to hold a body vertical to the ground, if you know what I
mean. It would just be a couple of pieces of MDF, carpet
or some other padding on one side of each piece, and
an extra little gizmo to hold each piece to one side of
the WorkMate. I don't think I'm explaining this well. :neutral:

That's puuuurdy, Dave

Thanks Roger :smile:


I like that cedar, Dave, and also the attachments you got
for your WorkMate
Thanks Glenn

I was thinking I'd also like to make an attachment
to hold a body vertical to the ground, if you know what I
mean. It would just be a couple of pieces of MDF, carpet
or some other padding on one side of each piece, and
an extra little gizmo to hold each piece to one side of
the WorkMate. I don't think I'm explaining this well. :neutral:

Yeh, perpendicular to the ground. I got it :lol:

Mmmm, chopped liver!

That (not to be covered) back is pretty.

As of today, there's a new tradition to finish snakeheads within a week. Better get a move on, eh? :wink:

I don't care what anyone says about "minds". I've always been a "body guy" and I like
that one! Love th e "white" meeting at the joint.

It's looking good Dave. Are you going to leave it a natural finish? Is that aromatic cedar? Must smell nice.

I can smell that cedar all the way up here , that combo of spalted maple top/cedar body is going to look great , the sides will be a nice contrast , what are your finish plans Dave ?

Mmmm, chopped liver!

That (not to be covered) back is pretty
Thanks Phil! :smile:


As of today, there's a new tradition to finish snakeheads within a week. Better get a move on, eh? :wink:
Not a chance :roll:

I don't care what anyone says about "minds". I've always been a "body guy" and I like
that one! Love th e "white" meeting at the joint.
Thanks, I wasn't too high or low on it, but now that it's cut out.........I'm in love :lol:

It's looking good Dave. Are you going to leave it a natural finish? Is that aromatic cedar? Must smell nice.
Aromatic? Yeppers, between my room (where I store it), the back porch and the workshop room, it's like one bloody great potporrui bowl :lol: As for the finish, that follows :wink:



I can smell that cedar all the way up here , that combo of spalted maple top/cedar body is going to look great , the sides will be a nice contrast , what are your finish plans Dave ?

Well, until I cut it out, the plan was for Tru-oil except for the fretboard, but the body is quite dry and a little chippy (by ring count, it's well over 50 yrs old and had been air drying over 5.I have one small tearout to fix already :sad:). I'm sticking with dye & tru-oil for the top, but have decided to do gym floor poly applied butcher-block method (hard, glossy, and takes about a week to cure, but doesn't require brushing or spraying :wink:)
The neck with be tru-oil (possibly tinted) and lemon oil on the fretboard. I can't wait until you see the fretboard, I haven't gotten Indian rosewood that dark in 20yrs :shock:


P.S. Herb, sometime after the build challenge I'll do my Musicmaster, but the first thing up, will be what I'm using one of those cedar tops on :wink: (I think you'll like it :twisted:)

I like the cedar body... looks great. My parents always kept keepsakes in a cedar chest, I guess those are not as popular as they used to be. I have been thinking about a build from cedar or redwood.

Looks great. I wonder if you leave the cavities unsealed whether the aroma will keep coming out for a while. I made a cedar chest and did the outside in lacquer and left the inside unfinished. It still smells great 30 years later.

I like the cedar body... looks great. My parents always kept keepsakes in a cedar chest, I guess those are not as popular as they used to be. I have been thinking about a build from cedar or redwood.
My Dad still builds cedar chests..............it's an old family tradition, at least until I came along :lol:. I wish there was a way I could hook folks up with this place,MZ Enterprises. They're only 8 miles from house, but they don't mill, and they don't ship. They have loads of that cedar, and black walnut in particular. That board was 10" long, 8/4 (actually slightly thicker), I bought it for 11$ :shock:


Looks great. I wonder if you leave the cavities unsealed whether the aroma will keep coming out for a while
Thanks! That was the plan, and as I'll keep it in a gig bag, it'll probably smell sweet for years :smile:

That sounds like a great plan for finishing. I had planned to make mine with a really pretty bookmatched redwood top. But for the time constraints I wanted to use Tru-Oil. I tried it on the redwood and it got VERY dark - sucked it up like a sponge! Changed to a walnut top. I think the gym floor poly on the cedar is a great idea.

Is there a category for best smelling thread?

Seriously, this thread is a great mood lifter!

Looks great, Dave!

Oooh, sexy piece of wood!

Lovin' the cedar builds here! And I'm with kwerk. That back should not be covered. Beautiful build so far.

I tell ya', I'm starting to feel like I'm creeping here. I've been taking it maybe too easy, didn't want to become the bundle of nerves I was last year :wink:
Oh well, I've gotten more done, just not photos uploaded and thought I'd post these. I deliberately did not do a mineral spirit wash on the top, I want to do that when the filtertrons are mounted in it :grin:

Here is the body after profling on my homemade spindle sander, the only two pics I took of that didn't come out well. You'll note, if you look close, the body is slightly bigger than normal. It's about 1" wider and 3/4" longer than a standard tele body. I did this to build up mass as the cedar is incredibly light and the added mass will be needed to balance all those tuners. I also will not hollow the body out at all, it seemed a good solution to getting a fairly light guitar and a 12-string,all at the same time :wink:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eQAke-BI40Q/T21EnodpauI/AAAAAAAABBM/kkqr57ZvF6Q/s800/CD1372.JPG

These are the sides now. I was in awe of the grain that came out as the body was being sanded :shock:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o7QzZvAC-aY/T21ElmdbSrI/AAAAAAAABA8/emKA4ipkoM8/s800/CD1370.JPG

Especially here, the alignment pin I used during body glue up, just by chance, came right out on center. I mean, you don't think I plan that well do you :lol:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WuqnZJoOBQU/T21ElsM6ftI/AAAAAAAABA0/GpRd9BilREI/s800/CD1369.JPG

An admittedly bad picture of the top sanded down. Of the two tops I have, I call this the "Shroud of Turin" top. I'm using it less for the grain than for the natural staining within the wood. I hope under a finish, I can get the full affect that I see in person :wink:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3FKZVR6XJp8/T21En4m2K1I/AAAAAAAABBU/n9gQYnmNyH4/s800/CD1374.JPG

I guess I'm behind the mainsteam now, but I'm really enjoying hanging with 100 or so of my closest friends :grin:

Good night,

Dave

I wish there was a way I could hook folks up with this place,MZ Enterprises. They're only 8 miles from house, but they don't mill, and they don't ship. They have loads of that cedar, and black walnut in particular. That board was 10" long, 8/4 (actually slightly thicker), I bought it for 11$ :shock:...

Sounds like you just invited 100 of your closest friends to come
for a visit.

Nite Dave. Looking forward to the finish on this one! Nice. :)

Hey "Not so" Crazy. Man that cedar looks good enough to eat! You do top shelf work my friend.

Sounds like you just invited 100 of your closest friends to come
for a visit.

What time is dinner Dave ?:lol:

That back and sides are going to look great , actually , they already do , but with finish they'll even look better , and the top , this is gonna be killer , that contrast with the cedar will really make both parts stand out :cool:

Hey "Not so" Crazy. Man that cedar looks good enough to eat! You do top shelf work my friend.

Many thanks! :oops:

What time is dinner Dave ?:lol:
6:50 pm sharp! :lol:


that contrast with the cedar will really make both parts stand out :cool:

Thanks Herb, that's what I'm going for............hopefully :smile:

I'm still giggling over the "Shroud of Turin Top" reference. Nice.

I'm still giggling over the "Shroud of Turin Top" reference. Nice.

:wink: thanks!

That's looking really great Dave. Love the cedar and the top. I'm looking forward to seeing how you do the 12 string snake head. What are you using for a bridge? That has caused me some brain-lock... LOL

Cheers!

That's looking really great Dave. Love the cedar and the top
Thanks! :smile:

I'm looking forward to seeing how you do the 12 string snake head
:twisted:

What are you using for a bridge?
Just a 12-string hardtail bridge made by Gotoh, bought it from Warmoth :wink:

I can almost smell the cedar from here. It looks awesome!

I can almost smell the cedar from here. It looks awesome!

Thanks! I'm in serious lust with it :lol:

Great work Dave!! 12 string snakehead? Can't wait to hear its first BRRAAANNGGG.!!

Looking great Dave! I am sure I will eventually do a Cedar guitar. Very inspiring. You really should leave the back of that body exposed! Just my opinion.

Less yakking, more Cedar wacking...:oops: sheesh.

The smell is great huh, I used to put cedar drops in the acoustic room at the shop. People loved it. I noticed on TV the other day "aroma suggestion" is the "new" thing... gee wish I'd known?

Should be light, tonal and good looking, here's hoping, pulling for ya'.

Less yakking, more Cedar wacking...:oops: sheesh
Aye aye sir! :grin:


Should be light, tonal and good looking, here's hoping, pulling for ya'
Thanks Bret :wink:

I like cedar builds. Its one of my favorite woods to work with.

Less yakking, more Cedar wacking...:oops: sheesh.

Yeah, what he said! :razz:

+2

:mrgreen:

What's up Dave ? Any more progress , inquireing minds want to know :D

Been a little sidetracked by family responsibilities, after all, life is what happens while your making other plans :lol:. I had gotten some things done but had not had time to post (only got to look at some threads at work :roll:)

Without further ado (wonder if ado ever gets lonely? :smile:)

I got the top sanded and cut out

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DeH66b7TVwE/T3KVsJuVQ_I/AAAAAAAABCU/IQ645hb8TQQ/s800/CD1377a.JPG

Preparing to glue up :mrgreen:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Enr692m10UM/T3KVsQ0Xf_I/AAAAAAAABCQ/lzDJjqOQW4A/s800/CD1378.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_oScdTuuANw/T3KVt5hfX7I/AAAAAAAABCo/x9YZoEVm4OA/s800/CD1379.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-X78KAFH7Ml8/T3KVufJxUrI/AAAAAAAABCs/PG9iXk8FRQ8/s800/CD1380.JPG

I love these $1.97 paint rollers from Lowe's :wink:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SnL-8JYsIaw/T3KVvORi_GI/AAAAAAAABC8/xl8O6XmlhGY/s800/CD1381.JPG

Top set on with my little locator pins sticking out :smile:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8Y6dqUXJJTs/T3KVwPHlDeI/AAAAAAAABDM/K2xRoYsu5mw/s800/CD1382.JPG

The view from the other side. You can see from where I used a damp rag to clean squeeze-out the color trying to jump out of that top (man I hope this thing turns out right so you can see what I see)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pvgp6ujQyTc/T3KVw0MXfuI/AAAAAAAABDU/sn3YkWz9gmU/s800/CD1383.JPG

I'm using an old birch template as a clamping caul to prevent scratching the cedar

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IoRLEvQ5UtA/T3KVsTGZUBI/AAAAAAAABCY/XShF-T95QBw/s800/CD1378a.JPG

In this picture where I'm starting to put on the clamps, you can see the plywood under the top. Unlike a regular maple top, you can't depend on spalt to be stiff enough to spread the clamping pressure evenly :wink:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Z7McxzfhCpY/T3KVungxJMI/AAAAAAAABC0/bPxEu_Newb8/s800/CD1380a.JPG

Here are most of the clamps I own (sad isn't it? :grin:)

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DpAV0DrWFM4/T3KVvu9X8AI/AAAAAAAABDI/SYTuua9b_FI/s800/CD1381a.JPG

Checking the squeeze-out

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pVfy12GfnNE/T3KVylhv2UI/AAAAAAAABDs/mByA7_NLl1I/s800/CD1384.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rAWUtlU69gk/T3KVyq6UirI/AAAAAAAABD4/wjcVXLc9WhQ/s800/CD1385.JPG

That's the beauty of using the little roller, you have a little glue pop out, but not much. Yet, there's still plenty in the joint. I got this tip from one of Colt's threads, and it's a good one. Thanks Colt! :smile:

Lookin' good! Great work so far. And yeah, I'm clamp impaired as well. Gotta buy more.
And your jigsaw looks familiar.

Getting the router table ready :mrgreen:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WWJGegEYJjI/T3KV1ZsvNqI/AAAAAAAABEg/oClpIyF3V0Q/s800/CD1393.JPG

Here is my router fence masquerading as a jointer :lol:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-04OpmAiqeZ4/T3KV2J7wTZI/AAAAAAAABEo/2jXj_4G5Aes/s800/CD1394.JPG

A close-up showing the gold stick-it sandpaper (Grizzly has it cheaper guys! :wink:)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-04OpmAiqeZ4/T3KV2J7wTZI/AAAAAAAABEo/2jXj_4G5Aes/s800/CD1394.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FJ66t6QqgB0/T3KV28NRBOI/AAAAAAAABE0/-b06trwmIOc/s800/CD1396.JPG

I have done that with the fence on my table saw. Just spray glue the paper down onto the table and go to town. Glue comes off easily with some naphtha and a good rag. Works like a champ.

Getting my pup, neck, and control rout template ready

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-czOUy1OSuXw/T3KV0vRB_tI/AAAAAAAABEQ/J0ISs8Th1_A/s800/CD1389.JPG

Here's showing the neck blank and that gorgeous rosewood fretboard blank (makes me happier than a puppy with three peters :lol:)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--FIBmRFyaP0/T3KV01N1zHI/AAAAAAAABEU/akXIHDkcjXQ/s800/CD1391.JPG

You can see the Martin-style truss rod I'm using, yes.............inform the press and be prepared for the shock :shock:, I'm using an adjustable truss rod :lol:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iUfomGaukC4/T3KV0ETDfjI/AAAAAAAABEI/4XwMqBQQx6s/s800/CD1388.JPG

An overview showing both templates-to-be with the gratuitous neck/fretboard blank thrown in :lol:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-b5YE50L7hB4/T3KVzupNjYI/AAAAAAAABD8/IruiB1fgp8k/s800/CD1387.JPG


Seeing some of the builds out there, I feel hopelessly behind, but considering I'm building tools as I go (haven't even got them varnished yet :shock:) and my shop is a bedroom I guess it isn't half bad :lol:. It could also have something to do with the FACT, that some of the best builders on this planet are on this forum :wink:. I just wish I had time to check all the threads as I go, I see some falling by the wayside, but not many :smile:. Can you believe how good some of these beginners are? Geeez, wish I'd been that talented when I started (I had to settle for being good looking :lol::lol::lol:).
I have a feeling this build challenge is shaping up to be very special indeed.........and why not? There are some very special folks here :wink:

Good night,


Dave

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Enr692m10UM/T3KVsQ0Xf_I/AAAAAAAABCQ/lzDJjqOQW4A/s800/CD1378.JPG

I know you're in a hurry and all but dang, you could at least take the time to zip up your fly! :mrgreen:

I know you're in a hurry and all but dang, you could at least take the time to zip up your fly! :mrgreen:

Maybe this is his Air Condition (AC) :mrgreen:

Cheers

David

Looking good!

Good progress Dave , everything is looking good.
Yea , those little cheap rollers are great for glue up work , I gotta pick up a few more. :)

I know you're in a hurry and all but dang, you could at least take the time to zip up your fly! :mrgreen:

Looking good!
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UKDgoS6fs18/TFdPZ6q4_bI/AAAAAAAAA54/684I2IoICPc/s400/facepalm.jpg

Ok, now I need this build to win the challenge just so that picture remains a permanent part
of TDPRI history! And Ryden, that was classic.

Crazydave, you're doing great work and you're wayyyyy too neat for me. Try to mess
things up a little so I won't look so bad, ok? Sheesh, this isn't ALL about you!

It was either that or making "out of glue" jokes...

Hey Dave-The build is looking great. If you're behind then I'm behinder cuz I'm not that far yet. I seem to be making expensive wood shavings. Keep up the good work

... everything I just tried to type about the build came out sounding wrong in light of the "fly" pic:shock: :lol:

looks great. i always love these shots. this is my favorite grain on almost any guitar.

i can't believe you are doing this in your bedroom though. i'm with emoney, my workshop is a complete mess. if i took pictures of the floor people would be horrified.


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o7QzZvAC-aY/T21ElmdbSrI/AAAAAAAABA8/emKA4ipkoM8/s800/CD1370.JPG

I know you're in a hurry and all but dang, you could at least take the time to zip up your fly! :mrgreen:

Sigh!..........I noticed that farrrr too late :oops:. The sad fact is, that it is zipped over half-way, those used to be bibbed overalls. Oh well, it serves me right, getting in hurry. FWIW, #2 son taking the pictures didn't notice either :roll:. My mark on the forum, a half-mast caster :lol:


Maybe this is his Air Condition (AC) :mrgreen:

Cheers

David

Now that's funny right there :lol:

looks great. i always love these shots. this is my favorite grain on almost any guitar
Thanks! :smile:

i can't believe you are doing this in your bedroom though. i'm with emoney, my workshop is a complete mess. if i took pictures of the floor people would be horrified.
To clarify, this was an unfinished addition that #2 son, Nathan, took over as a bedroom. Most of the cleanup and organization I've done since last year is to get my crap out of his way :smile:
My bedroom indeed :roll:, everybody knows my room is the wood storage room :lol:. I sleep with aromatic cedar and desert eucalyptus every night (at least it doesn't snore and ask me how I feel every 5 minutes :lol:)

Dave

Rosewood board is sweet. As far as being behind, you're rolling along just fine. Everyone, even those that are flying along, feels under pressure because of the deadline. That's a good thing, though. Keeps us all moving. Just work steady and you'll make it.
I'm interested in the Martin-style rod. Have been considering trying one. Can you give me a sense of weight as compared to other rods you've used?

That's it, I'm going commando! If Dave can get away with the "half mast" thing that is! :) ;)
Course, don't do that around any rotating machinery.

Build is lookin good Dave, we are about neck n neck. I'm having family time issues as well. I think we'll get in under the wire though. :) :)

Rosewood board is sweet
Man , no kiddin'. I lucked out and got a smokin' deal from Grizzly, 5 for 35$ :shock:. And a big thanks to SSO720 for milling them for me :smile:. To give you an idea, that's the next to worst looking one :wink:.


I'm interested in the Martin-style rod. Have been considering trying one. Can you give me a sense of weight as compared to other rods you've used?
Considering I don't often use truss-rods (in the conventional sense), I'd call it just slightly heavier than those 2-ways that Grizzly sells. That shell on the outside is made from aluminum and weighs almost nothing, but adds greatly to the stiffness (best of all, it even comes with instructions :lol:)
I would normally use a square profiled, cold rolled steel rod, to get this degree of stiffness it would have been much heavier. Had I lived around an aircraft manufacturer, I would used a bigger square rod, but of 6160 aircraft grade aluminum :wink:

This is now a PG rated thread....:-)...which may be a first in a challenge.

Looking at your neck template, it looks like you're going to use the Rickenbacker 12 string system?

Man , no kiddin'. I lucked out and got a smokin' deal from Grizzly, 5 for 35$ :shock:. And a big thanks to SSO720 for milling them for me :smile:. To give you an idea, that's the next to worst looking one :wink:.

Yeah, that sounds smokin'. I need to look at Grizzly a little closer.

Looking at your neck template, it looks like you're going to use the Rickenbacker 12 string system?

Sharp eyes Mr. Hawley, you are correct sir :grin: (using vintage style tuners even :smile:)

And a 25" scale to boot :wink:



This is now a PG rated thread....:-)...which may be a first in a challenge.
Wouldn't ya' know it'd be me that breaks new ground :roll:

:lol:

Wow, down to 97 builders.........That sounds bad until I realized we only started last year with 95 :roll:. Man what a ride! :smile:

Wow, down to 97 builders.........That sounds bad until I realized we only started last year with 95 :roll:. Man what a ride! :smile:

Hey I may finish this year! :lol:

Great build Dave!

Hey I may finish this year! :lol:

Great build Dave!

Thanks Moj! :smile:

Hey (Not so crazy) Dave! re the zipper!

Maaaaaaaaaate it pays to advertise but you gotta have the goods!

Man what a ride! :smile:

Yes , it would seem we are ZIPPING right along :lol:

Sorry Dave , couldn't resist .

Hey (Not so crazy) Dave! re the zipper!

Maaaaaaaaaate it pays to advertise but you gotta have the goods!

Below the belt! :lol:


Yes , it would seem we are ZIPPING right along :lol:

Sorry Dave , couldn't resist .

I wouldn't have, I expect no less :lol:

Wow, down to 97 builders.........That sounds bad until I realized we only started last year with 95 :roll:. Man what a ride! :smile:

How many did we start with?

i can't believe you are doing this in your bedroom though. i'm with emoney, my workshop is a complete mess. if i took pictures of the floor people would be horrified.

Have you checked out picton's floor? :shock:

How many did we start with?

102 :smile:

I see you are left handed but play right hnded I suppose? Me too. I bat right handed and write lefty. Often my left brain has no clue what the right brain is doing. I get distracted easily as the right brain does not follow well when I dream.

Meanwhile the guitar is very nice, I think it will play well. Go slow, no big hurry you'll be playing this one for a long time.

B

for 12 strings think ~hell for stout~ beefy is good especially around the bridge area.

I'll send you a copy of my ~Pete Seeger 12 string trainer~. It's on vinyl from around 1965. Then you too can be dangerous.

Looking good Dave! Love those side grains on the cedar!

I see you are left handed but play right hnded I suppose? Me too. I bat right handed and write lefty. Often my left brain has no clue what the right brain is doing. I get distracted easily as the right brain does not follow well when I dream.

Meanwhile the guitar is very nice, I think it will play well. Go slow, no big hurry you'll be playing this one for a long time.

B

for 12 strings think ~hell for stout~ beefy is good especially around the bridge area.

I'll send you a copy of my ~Pete Seeger 12 string trainer~. It's on vinyl from around 1965. Then you too can be dangerous.

Thanks Papa :smile:



Looking good Dave! Love those side grains on the cedar!

Thanks! :smile:

Wow, down to 97 builders.........That sounds bad until I realized we only started last year with 95 :roll:. Man what a ride! :smile:

95 people started last year? i thought there were only around 50. i don't remember the forum going on for three pages like it does this year.

i don't remember the forum going on for three pages like it does this year

It didn't for very long :lol:

I think it helps open up the field when there are fewer restrictions on how much money you can spend.

I think it helps open up the field when there are fewer restrictions on how much money you can spend.

Right there with ya' :wink:

the guitar is looking good sir!

Dave, great build and great thread.

Most folks were prepared it seems, and had their templates made before the Challenge. Since I use them sparingly, I make them as needed. I don't use them for routing the outer edge, I seldom build the same thing twice, plus I reuse the templates I do make for cutting control an pickup routs. I didn't have a good humbucker template, so I decided to make an all in one, that by coincidence can also do this guitar :wink:
Since I don't make a master either, this is my method


First, I take the plan (self drawn or not) and lay out a centerline and my fretscale (25" in this case), taking into account the type bridge I'll be using :smile:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mr7tLg6F-Hw/T3evuxx4DWI/AAAAAAAABGM/2Z_JqOm8jks/s800/CD1398.JPG

Using scrap mdf and sheetrock screws I lay the outline of the rout

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vWX-3NDwwQU/T3evvQpkSgI/AAAAAAAABGU/MCljZruzheA/s800/CD1403.JPG

Then remove the majority with forstner bits

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j4G_IdkmlAU/T3evv0JhekI/AAAAAAAABGg/dZdh-Yfd1Yk/s800/CD1404.JPG

Same here :smile:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-E7ySRWDTrz8/T3evwuW_qRI/AAAAAAAABGs/g8tCJRNtkJY/s800/CD1406.JPG

I lost the next 2 or 3 pics (camera is getting old) but I bought a humbucker template from Stew-Mac and used that for the pickups. Here is the template before I swab CA on the inner edges of the routes

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ob2e7mCqwME/T3evxJOtYXI/AAAAAAAABG4/xxJxRddugeI/s800/CD1408.JPG

One thing to note here, these things aren't sacred. If you need a note to yourself about a rout, or a certain order something needs doing in, write it on the template where you need it. As a matter of fact, mdf is nasty stuff. I've never seen something so handy, so versatile, so............... fugly, that somehow makes you want to make a guitar out of it (I have so far resisted the temptation :lol:) . But it seems to repel you at the same time :lol:

Seeing as how the Workmate is about to perform it's act as router table, I got some time on the "joiner" before breaking it down :smile:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dfo1HEy1zw8/T3evvNqcxSI/AAAAAAAABGY/FB62AKVL5Gk/s800/CD1401.JPG

Good night guys,

Dave

the guitar is looking good sir!


Dave, great build and great thread.

Thanks guys! :grin:

Hey , I use to have a jointer just like that ! Nice template work Dave , nice and clean.:smile:

Hey , I use to have a jointer just like that ! Nice template work Dave , nice and clean.:smile:

Thanks Herb, I am trying harder these days thanks to the fine work you, Glenn and Mark are doing :smile:. Heck, even a blind squirrel gets an acorn now and then :lol:

Dave

Sorry for the extended absence, been a little under the weather the past couple of days :roll:

So let's go! :grin:

Getting ready to christen the router table :smile:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u5BwjjsmpIY/T3vSeQu2c2I/AAAAAAAABIY/Y-84hg7Ey1Q/s800/CD1412.JPG

Bought a B & D "Mouse" on a whim some time back. Gonna use it to smooth out the sides so I can trim the top to the body :wink:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-U0Il22CL9uI/T3vSgERk6FI/AAAAAAAABI0/U9EyfXW4OCw/s800/CD1416.JPG

Spalted wood (maple especially) never ceases to fasinate me. Sometimes it 's smooth as normal maple, sometime doughy or splintery, no two pieces ever quite alike. This piece is leaning toward splinters, but with an even consistency :mrgreen:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-r3_4k9EgQ6U/T3vSev_fDDI/AAAAAAAABIg/C7-RgNB3LQc/s800/CD1413.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-93e6I7vhMwk/T3vSev_HS0I/AAAAAAAABIc/JRnzLqqtZLQ/s800/CD1414.JPG

After a little more "mouse" and sanding block action, this is what I get :smile:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZsX5P1DXdyk/T3vSgbDcl9I/AAAAAAAABI8/i0LaNPAnqUE/s800/CD1417.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-d0mWKp7dh5M/T3vShdENDSI/AAAAAAAABJI/CHQnQO9zYrQ/s800/CD1418.JPG

You doing that stuff inside makes you a God amongst men! :mrgreen:

I initially planned on a 1/4" roundover on the back, but on a hunch started with just a 1/8" (because of how brittle cedar is). When I was done with that, I made an executive decision, I like the 1/8" just fine, it's staying :lol:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-St-o77FSgSs/T3vSh9-pVII/AAAAAAAABJQ/SlMOudvm1y8/s800/CD1419.JPG

After that, considering the thickness of the top, I chucked up a 5/32"roman ogee bit (yeh, there was a sale recently :lol:). I kinda like it :wink:

Closeup side view

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UEST9IIq4Qc/T3vSjbZO4QI/AAAAAAAABJk/ab9OF2SyOWw/s800/CD1424.JPG

Top view

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4GitUx83q1s/T3vSjPgRqTI/AAAAAAAABJg/aOv_2vtsHfs/s800/CD1420.JPG

From two different angles :smile:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-no9OpC_oOjw/T3vSjlTZHUI/AAAAAAAABJs/vN46zIHsPw8/s800/CD1425.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-T5x4UxVeNFE/T3vSkUz_MCI/AAAAAAAABJ4/rd28NBhWaog/s800/CD1426.JPG

Here's a little better view of the spalt/color pattern of this top. I'm really looking forward to a little tint and tru-oil on it. It is getting a pickguard BTW, but very small & simple (I could change my mind I suppose :lol:)

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WcjKkJjE_q4/T3vSk_hRFsI/AAAAAAAABKE/8bIWBkfmUzo/s800/CD1430.JPG

Even my vicious watch dog seems to like it, and he doesn't like anything :shock:
:lol::lol:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Q_B0FBKsWcA/T3vSkzMDocI/AAAAAAAABKA/K7au05qw-XI/s800/CD1429.JPG

You know, yesterday I took a look around, we are down to 90 builders now, but the variety and intensity of the builds left is breath-taking. For instance I thought my 12-string build would be a one only (two at the most) but jeesuz beezus I count FOUR :shock:, two one piece builds, a tenor, and a lootttt more basses than I expected. Doesn't seem to be any mando-casters or baritones though, heck, I expected at least one of each.
The one thing I'm glad to see is the plethora of "snakehead" builds :smile:. Geeez guys, I thought we agreed the takeover would be slow and insidious :lol:.
The next thing, I started looking for people, the usual suspects from past Challenges. Conspicuous in his absence is Mark-00255, he's been in every challenge up until this one I believe, and hasn't posted since November :shock:. Of course the Mike's are accounted for (Mike Simpson & Maricopa) :wink:, it wouldn't be a challenge without them :grin:.
Then there's the old timer's who are here, but kinda quiet (out of character :lol:) CJFearn and Jack Wells.
One thing is for sure, this thing has taken on a life of it's own. It's become a seething mass of creativity, society and fellowship, the likes of which I've never seen. Those afraid of the no spending limit were dead wrong, the creativity has exploded through the roof. Economy builds, ingenious materials , jigs and tools have flourished, and I for one love the learning process. Instead of becoming a stale, static, "this is the only way to do it", it's become a "hey, look here, there's no way you can't do it". I like that folks :grin:


Good night and God bless :wink:


Dave

You doing that stuff inside makes you a God amongst men! :mrgreen:

You have NO idea how many vacuum cleaners I've went through over the years :lol:

Like that ogee; I've often wondered why nobody does that sort of thing on guitars. It looks really classy.

Dave love the build mate!!!!! You are a true gentleman and artist, but please give up the cigarettes so we have you around for a looooooong time!

You know, that Roman Ogee bit would also be perfect if you were doing that "make-your-own,
putty binding" stuff. Very neat.

And that dog AIN'T happy. I'd proceed with caution from this point forward.

Nice Dave , I like the ogee , good idea :smile:
That spalt is going to really come alive once you get the T>O> on it .

One thing is for sure, this thing has taken on a life of it's own. It's become a seething mass of creativity, society and fellowship, the likes of which I've never seen. Those afraid of the no spending limit were dead wrong, the creativity has exploded through the roof. Economy builds, ingenious materials , jigs and tools have flourished, and I for one love the learning process. Instead of becoming a stale, static, "this is the only way to do it", it's become a "hey, look here, there's no way you can't do it". I like that folks :grin:


Good night and God bless :wink:


Dave

Great work, Dave. I like the ingenuity of the ogee bit too. And i concur with what you said. This challenge is really phenomenonal.

Well from the look of your dog, it's either way past dinner time or he really doesn't like your camera!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dfo1HEy1zw8/T3evvNqcxSI/AAAAAAAABGY/FB62AKVL5Gk/s800/CD1401.JPG

Good night guys,

Dave
After seeing this picture I realized that your(and everybody else's) workmate has a step on the side. :shock:

I think your puppy either wanted single coils, or thinks it is a tad heavy. :lol:

You doing that stuff inside makes you a God amongst men! :mrgreen:

I'd get shot if I did that. :shock:

Geesh Dave, inside? Now I know at least one of the reasons you go by that moniker! ;) :) My wife dosen't even like it when I wind pu's on the coffee table. She caught me sanding the fb radius there because of the pics I posted in my thread. I got the "If I find any wood dust in the sofa, you'll be sleeping there." threat.
Great looking build by the way, and I really like the ogee edge, very unique. :)

Like that ogee; I've often wondered why nobody does that sort of thing on guitars. It looks really classy.
Thanks! My Dad built furniture for many years and I occasionally remember something that might work :roll:. If I had more imagination (or had shown more interest) who knows what might work.
He had a wicked 3HP shaper and tons of vicious bits (some of his handmade beds, chests and caskets were works of art) that could have made some gorgeous bodies

Dave love the build mate!!!!! You are a true gentleman and artist, but please give up the cigarettes so we have you around for a looooooong time!
Thanks Dave! Yeh, I don't manage vices well :oops:

You know, that Roman Ogee bit would also be perfect if you were doing that "make-your-own,
putty binding" stuff. Very neat.
Thanks, your right :wink:

And that dog AIN'T happy. I'd proceed with caution from this point forward.
For him, that is happy :lol:

Nice Dave , I like the ogee , good idea :smile:
That spalt is going to really come alive once you get the T>O> on it .
From your mouth to God's ear :smile:

Great work, Dave. I like the ingenuity of the ogee bit too. And i concur with what you said. This challenge is really phenomenonal.
Thanks Roger. Yeh, this is a very special place :grin:

After seeing this picture I realized that your(and everybody else's) workmate has a step on the side. :shock:
Hmmm, don't know what to say there :roll:. One thing's for sure, with my big leg on it, it's not moving :lol:

I think your puppy either wanted single coils, or thinks it is a tad heavy. :lol:
Yeh, he's an Alnico 2 snob through and through :smile: :lol:

I'd get shot if I did that. :shock:

Geesh Dave, inside? Now I know at least one of the reasons you go by that moniker! ;) :) My wife dosen't even like it when I wind pu's on the coffee table. She caught me sanding the fb radius there because of the pics I posted in my thread. I got the "If I find any wood dust in the sofa, you'll be sleeping there." threat
Welll, being divorced has some advantages, though I doubt it would matter. I used to build wooden kayaks and canoes indoors too (I built them in a sling, hanging from the ceiling) along with one ultralight :shock:. Oddly enough, of the reasons we divorced, this wasn't one. I had tapered off to guitars only which was a positive vacation compared to the other things :lol:.
As for my handle, truth is stranger than fiction. My own Dad has called me "crazy Dave" ever since, at age 5, I went next door and broke out a neighbor's sick donkey and brought him home (and in the house :shock:). When my Mom got home from work, I was making an unholy mess in the kitchen trying to make him some hot cocoa so he'd feel better (always worked for me :lol:). It helped that at first she fainted and forgot the whippin' altogether :wink:. I've always suspected (but couldn't prove) that the "crazy" part came from the fact that when I walked the donkey out of his paddock, it was under the nose of two vicious German sheperds who could have cared less. My folks didn't quite get that the neighbors abused their animals (being a latch-key army brat you learn a lot). I would feed the animals scraps (they were starving) and scratch them behind the ears. They ran from their owners, they met me at the fence :smile:. The 9/11 part is simply my birthday, strange enough for ya? :lol::lol:

Great looking build by the way, and I really like the ogee edge, very unique. :)
Thanks! :smile:

Wow!!! Sexy this will be...the guitar I mean

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WcjKkJjE_q4/T3vSk_hRFsI/AAAAAAAABKE/8bIWBkfmUzo/s800/CD1430.JPG

:smile:. The 9/11 part is simply my birthday, strange enough for ya? :lol::lol:


Thanks! :smile:

Yup, plenty strange, endearing though. Cool story. :) Oddly enough, my B-day is 9/12. Virgos are good folk eh? ;) :) :)

Geesh Dave, inside? Now I know at least one of the reasons you go by that moniker! ;) :) My wife dosen't even like it when I wind pu's on the coffee table. She caught me sanding the fb radius there because of the pics I posted in my thread. I got the "If I find any wood dust in the sofa, you'll be sleeping there." threat.
Great looking build by the way, and I really like the ogee edge, very unique. :)

Hey, that cedar will keep the wool-eating moths out! Something every (ex)wife should learn to appreciate :wink:

That guitar is looking quite nice Dave!

That's the beauty of using the little roller, you have a little glue pop out, but not much. Yet, there's still plenty in the joint. I got this tip from one of Colt's threads, and it's a good one. Thanks Colt! :smile:

Here I had given up on suggesting the roller because no one seemed to believe me. If you are laminating and jointing a lot of wood, squeeze can quickly become a royal PITA.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-E7ySRWDTrz8/T3evwuW_qRI/AAAAAAAABGs/g8tCJRNtkJY/s800/CD1406.JPG


Nice beanbag ashtray. You just dont see those like you used to. Dad used to have those spread out around the shop with a cigarette lit in each and then light up yet another one. Then he would get pissed when he would see the powdered cigarett formations in all the ashtrays from letting them burn unatended. I think that may be why he was a 2 pack a day man. :lol:

PS - The build kicks ass. Really like the wood grain and setup.

Here I had given up on suggesting the roller because no one seemed to believe me. If you are laminating and jointing a lot of wood, squeeze can quickly become a royal PITA.

Nothing beats a roller when glueing larger surfaces:mrgreen:

Go Dave! Looking goood!

My goal yesterday was to have my body ready to finish sand.................

Missed it....by just this much :lol:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EHdWdivVn0I/T32F6EfpH3I/AAAAAAAABMY/xsn0SilIj5U/s800/maxwellsmart_missed_it_by_that_much.jpg

The day started brightly (I didn't get up for good until noon, bright indeed :roll:). Using forstner bits to hog out the excess, I instantly found that once through the maple I had to let up quick or risk going through and through :shock:. Herb said the cedar would work like butter, and it does.........hot butter :lol:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lnS2CvwzHow/T318bMgujlI/AAAAAAAABKk/Ho7F6LvVebw/s800/CD1435.JPG

I used a 1" forstner bit to counter-sink for my electro-socket (about 1/8" deep) then switched up to a 7/8" for approximately the next 2". I then used a 5/8" brad point bit to complete the hole (the forstner bits aren't long enough anyway). Drilling the cedar this way on the endgrain is somewhat slower than from the face :lol:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZwIFUUseHZg/T318a8RCejI/AAAAAAAABKY/pk0GxKTq9Xw/s800/CD1434.JPG

Here, I'm getting the template ready to attach. It will only be attached by one screw and two strips of Duck brand two-sided tape (thanks again Colt :wink:)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VTUc8r1GR7Y/T318bPKv-VI/AAAAAAAABKc/7ZAzJObuB9E/s800/CD1436.JPG

A side view showing the recess for the electrosocket. I'm sure I ripped off this idea somewhere here :lol:. I did this to avoid the customary "flat spot" where the jack normally mounts. Now I don't normally like a jack in this spot anyway (on any guitar) but (in my opinion only) that ugly flat spot in that beautiful curve is more than I can suffer to exist :lol:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LdjD2nwpT2Y/T318cY2DP4I/AAAAAAAABKw/z-VPxEQkSiY/s800/CD1437.JPG

Here we are at a break in the action (lunch actually :lol:). Now I've routed many kinds of woods and I'm accustomed to the normal cloud of dust that seems to electrostatically stick to everything in sight. But once through the maple to the cedar, not only was the room instantly fumigated but the fine shavings were effortless to clean up. I normally use my old paintbrush (I call him Harry :lol:) to keep the table clear. Not only was that easy, but in breaks, I found I simply had to flip the body over the trash can to empty the routs clean :shock:. And if I thought that was weird, when I swept the floor it even seemed to clean the embedded dirt and dust and leave a faint shine :shock::shock:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pfiD-e22e2I/T318cqvkQyI/AAAAAAAABK4/Gookl2E2abo/s800/CD1438.JPG

Here is the finished result, as neat and clean as new money :roll:. I could really get used to this :lol:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mMo3iztcQsA/T318c-MBYfI/AAAAAAAABK0/-qI-7wFbM9Y/s800/CD1439.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mTM3DxbUa9Y/T318fK9uuTI/AAAAAAAABLI/9_aTBeX8bnQ/s800/CD1441.JPG

Oh yeah. Neat and clean indeed! As for the shine on the floor, I'm wondering if the oils in the cedar had anything to do with that...

Here's how I lay out my wiring runs. Using scotch tape, I fasten the smaller bit I use for the bridge ground wire on the top along the path I want my hole to proceed. As you can see, it's a strong visual queue :wink:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5YhcA2c2Ulc/T318gZWddWI/AAAAAAAABLY/iv8eFBXHDVE/s800/CD1444.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AFvM6e_JChU/T318frVzKoI/AAAAAAAABLQ/exZ_lMqed8E/s800/CD1443.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oXKgWWDZDJw/T318fV0Up5I/AAAAAAAABLc/tzaDArQtzhE/s800/CD1442.JPG

With this method, I only need worry if the bit is level :smile:, the rest takes care of itself. Here is my exit point exactly where I expect it to be :wink:. I can't emphasize enough how well this works, especially for a scatter-shot like myself :lol:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2Mz4MAnCOBk/T318g5jeAsI/AAAAAAAABLo/ZpM-pj-fF48/s800/CD1445.JPG

Drilling for the bridge pickup. The only thing critical here is keeping your angle shallow. You wouldn't want to go through the back accidentally, right? :twisted:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-brc-2K-6F3M/T318h65GGFI/AAAAAAAABMA/795jQTw1lQU/s800/CD1446.JPG

It should exit slightly behind and below the previous hole so the pickup wires can gracefully loop on the bottom of the rout leaving enough length so the controls can be worked on over the years without breaking a solder joint. Do that one time and the wires usually won't reach. It's really easy to clip off that excess wire on a new pickup, but it's damn hard to add it back later :wink:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mAsANfOiWvM/T318h1CwlwI/AAAAAAAABLw/4Cvs_5EDl-A/s800/CD1447.JPG

Here I'm drilling for the bridge ground wire. Two things here, note the angle being drilled. This is to keep the ground wire as short as possible. Electronics 101, keep grounds short and to the point. This is not critical at all for the guitar, especially these humbuckers, but if you routinely play through PA systems (especially lousy ones), you don't want ground loops in your guitar picking up the weather report or low flying planes in the middle of your set. It is funny, and will likely wake up the drunks in the back, but I'm betting you won't be very happy about it :lol:
Second, and not noticeable here at all, when I mark out for my template screws, I always drill one of them slightly ahead of the two inner strings and on the centerline. Since the bridge will cover it, in the greater scheme of things, you could put this hole anywhere (even use one of your string-through holes) . The reason I do this on every template I make, is after the template is removed you don't need the hole anymore, right? So why not use it now for your bridge ground wire? It's already there, it's dead center, so if you need to drill off at an angle to accommodate a given pickup, it's no big deal. This whole thing may be no big deal to you at all, but one thing it does show. If you consistently do a certain thing, a certain way, for a certain reason, it becomes one more thing you don't have to plan for when setting up a new build (of any style), because you'll always know you allowed for it :wink:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZTiYPnS2U-k/T318iPJN6NI/AAAAAAAABL4/aNoxWqMmRwo/s800/CD1448.JPG

Think I'm gonna catch a shower and mull over an old tele body I made back when and never finished. Given what I know now versus what I didn't know then, there may be life in the old girl yet. Or I could always sand :shock:

Have a good day guys :grin:

Dave

Looking really, really nice; I can't wait to see the cedar with some clear on it.

Dave,

When you go to finish that Cedar, I would highly recommend raising the grain a few times. Cedar loves to swell up when the finish hits it, in my experience. I also like to put a dab of amber in my clear when clearing cedar. Not enough so the lacquer lays down amber. Tones the pinks and purples just a smidge.


Looking good, keep up the good work.

The color and grain on that top is beautiful, Dave.

But I'm still trying to figure out what you missed "by that much".
Aren't you ready to finish sand now, as hoped?

The color and grain on that top is beautiful, Dave
Thanks Glenn :smile:

But I'm still trying to figure out what you missed "by that much".
Aren't you ready to finish sand now, as hoped?
Well, I've still got the edges of the neck rout to blend in, plus, I routed the control rout a little deep so I'm gonna glue a veneer in the bottom to strengthen it up a bit. It will be the most well hidden piece of mahogany in the world :lol: (the only veneer I have ATM)

Things are starting to come together very nicely...every time I see of shot of that cedar...I sort of have the smell in my head....

Things are starting to come together very nicely...every time I see of shot of that cedar...I sort of have the smell in my head....

And the cool thing about Cedar, IMO, is that after the lacquer dries. You can still smell the cedar.

I'm not sure if I prefer crazydave911 or donkeyslayer911...they both have a nice ring to them...:mrgreen:

I'm not sure if I prefer crazydave911 or donkeyslayer911...they both have a nice ring to them...:mrgreen:

Slayer? I was trying to help!!!!!

:lol::lol::lol:

yeah, DonkeyWhisperer911 is more like it :mrgreen:

yeah, DonkeyWhisperer911 is more like it :mrgreen:

:lol::lol:

I keep looking at that cedar and thinking I am gonna have to have one. Looking better each time I look at your build. Keep it up!

Very keen indeed, coming along to a nice guitar pretty soon.

or.. "SEE dar' cumin' long nicely". Quoted from a fella who used to be an extra in Deliverence.

Two thoughts. QUIT! the cigs. Quit is an action verb.

happier note: We don't need no stinkin' pickguard on such a fine top.

Very keen indeed, coming along to a nice guitar pretty soon.

or.. "SEE dar' cumin' long nicely". Quoted from a fella who used to be an extra in Deliverence.

Two thoughts. QUIT! the cigs. Quit is an action verb.

happier note: We don't need no stinkin' pickguard on such a fine top.

Duly noted :smile:

Looking good Dave , nice and neat ! ya like the way that Seeda works ? That's how we refer to Cedar up here :lol:

Looking good Dave , nice and neat !
Thanks Herb :smile:

ya like the way that Seeda works ? That's how we refer to Cedar up here :lol:
Yeh, it's kind of a unique combination of hard & soft and deodorizes the room everytime you touch it :lol:
:lol:, used to go to church with a couple from Long Island, great folks. I never minded the accents, it was the lack of volume control that drove me nuts :lol:

it was the lack of volume control that drove me nuts :lol:

Ha , yea , I get comments on that all the time , I am generally on the laid back side , folks say they cant believe I'm from the Island , I'm not loud enough :lol:

looking good Dave!

That cedar is such a nice color. Haven't been round much but I'm rooting for ya Dave!

looking good Dave!
Thanks! :smile:

That cedar is such a nice color. Haven't been round much but I'm rooting for ya Dave!

Thanks Olav, I've been a little slow this year :roll:

I love the glasses, Never needed them myself until a few years back, couldn't draw a straight line let alone follow one now without them. :mrgreen:
Love the build too by the way, interested in your final opinion on the cedar

[...]I've been a little slow this year :roll:

Slow? You? I didn't even enter. How's that for slow?

I love the glasses, Never needed them myself until a few years back, couldn't draw a straight line let alone follow one now without them. :mrgreen:
:lol:, thanks, I call them my "granny" glasses :smile:. I figured now that I'm beginning to resemble Ben Franklin, there was no reason not to wear his gear :lol:

Love the build too by the way, interested in your final opinion on the cedar
Thanks a million :smile:. I've made quite a few things with aeromatic cedar, but not a guitar. I'm just as anxious as you are :grin: (I think :lol:)


Slow? You? I didn't even enter. How's that for slow?

Figured ya' had your reasons :wink:, no big gig. Thanks for checking it out :grin:

Dave

Hey Dave the build is coming along nice and looking great. I love the Maple top. I've been down with the crud all week so I will be playing catch up this week.

The first words in the instructions of any commercially available finishing product begins with this discouraging statement: "First clean and prepare the surface to be finished" :sad:. Simple words, alas, not a simple task :roll: :lol:.

Last night I mixed some cedar dust and elmers to make a patch on my only tearout--so far. I'd already started to sand it before I remembered to take a picture of the "lump"

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FiWGOwuCieI/T4D4rNp_vZI/AAAAAAAABMo/22s0uENej_g/s800/CD1450.JPG

Then it was onwards and upwards, in grit that is :roll:, 80, 120, 220 etc. Here I stop to try a tip from Colt. Prior to my first coats of tinted shellac, I took a damp cloth to wipe down the cedar to raise the grain (so I can then resand with 320 & 400.......sigh, it never ends :razz:)
This is the result.............

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4BnRD4wYbHM/T4D4raGbk7I/AAAAAAAABNE/9RpLXKbB8gs/s800/CD1451.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fZD5UBQT9Ig/T4D4rVWnzmI/AAAAAAAABMs/HzQqxzFS-DU/s800/CD1452.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ygbe5XHTHb0/T4D4sDjP_rI/AAAAAAAABM4/tC4Zpql0Ms8/s800/CD1453.JPG

:shock:, Damn...........I'm not sure I was ready for this, it's already starting to shine :shock:, cool! :cool:

After that surprise, here are the products that will bring it home (except for the Tru-Oil for the top & neck)

My gym floor poly

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bqiMWVGuvpc/T4D4sfG1ajI/AAAAAAAABNA/hHa9AMa-NLo/s800/CD1454.JPG

I called a friend of mine over at Fountain Lanes and asked what they used in their refit a couple of years back, he said this (in 5 gal buckets of course :lol:). It looks like clabbered skim milk :shock:, but says it dries crystal clear (and hard). I have bowled on the new lane finish and can attest if this is it, it does. And the water clean up sold me :wink:

Here is the same with my two (so far) batches of tinted shellac. The bottom is a slight amber, the top is pure amber to temper it with :smile:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FBwjCF9zczI/T4D4sxZOsjI/AAAAAAAABNQ/9BDxkvKLtNk/s800/CD1455.JPG

I have my pans ready for the poly coat but doubt I'll get to that until Monday or Tuesday. If I'm sealed and tinted by tomorrow night I'll be a happy camper :wink:

Speaking of which, Happy Easter everybody! :lol:



Dave

That cedar is beautiful.

Happy Easter!

Exciting! Looking good, Dave!

That cedar is beautiful.

Happy Easter!
:grin:

Exciting! Looking good, Dave!

Thanks guys! :lol:

Can't wait to see that seeda with the varithane on it , if its shiny now its gonna glow with finish on it . :smile:

Looking sweet Dave! The cedar is very cool.

Hmm, odor free Varathane. The stuff we used back in high school shop sure wasn't odor free. I'm guessing it didn't have any water in it either. :wink:

Dave-I like the Varathane idea. I am going with a water based finish too. Will see how they both come out. The cedar is looknig great.

Can't wait to see that seeda with the varithane on it , if its shiny now its gonna glow with finish on it . :smile:
You and me both! :grin:

Looking sweet Dave! The cedar is very cool
I know! Man I didn't expect that, and I like cedar. Thanks Mark :smile:

Hmm, odor free Varathane. The stuff we used back in high school shop sure wasn't odor free. I'm guessing it didn't have any water in it either. :wink:
Yeh, I seem to remember some pretty noxious fumes :lol:. This stuff looks really wild up close, at least in the can :razz:

Dave-I like the Varathane idea. I am going with a water based finish too. Will see how they both come out. The cedar is looknig great.
Thanks Paul :grin:

Man that's really looking great Dave! I remember as a little kid my aunt had a walk in closet lined with cedar that looked like that. I used to hide in it because I loved the smell. :grin: Happy Easter!

The first words in the instructions of any commercially available finishing product begins with this discouraging statement: "First clean and prepare the surface to be finished" :sad:. Simple words, alas, not a simple task :roll: :lol:.
.....sigh, it never ends :razz:)
...
I hear ya brother!! I must have spent 15-20 hours sanding in the last week...

I love the wood - I love wood grain and the grain in that cedar is something that will likely always always make the look of the guitar interesting and new. That's going to pop in a big way.

I'm interested in the varathane finish too, please post lots of pics! I'll be using water based finish as well, still debating on EM6000 or EM7000, or a General Finishes WB Lacquer - I just cannot spray Nitro, and it'll just be too toxic for me to deal with anyways. The build is looking great,still marveling that it's going on in your bedroom! Keep it up.

Back at it again! :grin:

Here I'm using the mouse for the 320 grit and the rubber block for the 400 (interesting that you can't get 400 to fit any sander that I could find, and the 320 for the mouse had to come from Amazon :shock:)

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RqEMr2xn6Xs/T4Hi00zrCII/AAAAAAAABOM/gELyta0E53I/s800/CD1460.JPG


I'm using this sponge sanding block wrapped in 400 for the sides :smile:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4LuqeKIo9fw/T4Hi2OBlvVI/AAAAAAAABOc/mNIgS_rIfI0/s800/CD1463.JPG


Here we are, sanded to 400 and wiped down with denatured alcohol

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2rePCN8kcZI/T4Hi2BD4dCI/AAAAAAAABOU/GMHOpLNyCVs/s800/CD1462.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-d8fikAU5KOE/T4Hi2oyVnaI/AAAAAAAABOg/mfSMhRy0bcM/s800/CD1464.JPG


Getting ready with the tinted clear shellac for my primer coat (otherwise I wouldn't have used a foam brush, it streaks :wink:). Most of this will be sanded off :mrgreen:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yObfSlvOSmA/T4Hi3KusLnI/AAAAAAAABOs/SN6lPEYH2Wc/s800/CD1465.JPG


Now for a couple of coats

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sSvyd9iyE-c/T4Hi4RQg5VI/AAAAAAAABO4/OacHGMB5yK4/s800/CD1466.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nN78PtAJqFw/T4Hi4kOnA3I/AAAAAAAABO8/m3ceAt_UqZw/s800/CD1468.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jMxmqPHFNx0/T4Hi4bXmrlI/AAAAAAAABO0/P85wY8y0z-U/s800/CD1467.JPG

:shock: Mmmm.......ehhhh, I'll be back a little later, gotta go change my shorts :lol:

Very, very, very rich color! Beautiful!

Holy Moly ! :shock: Unreal, beautiful Dave.
Now that's what I call kicking it up a notch !

Very, very, very rich color! Beautiful!
I'm actually kinda speechless :shock:

Holy Moly ! :shock: Unreal, beautiful Dave.
Now that's what I call kicking it up a notch !
Yeh, I'd have used a brush if I'd known it was going to look that good. If the poly looks any better than this I'm not sure the old ticker can take it :lol:

BTW, a big thanks Allthesound, Mojotron, and CarlosN. My hands are still shaking, and yes, the foam brush streaked the back :roll:. It's just as well, as good as it looks, I'd have been tempted to leave it as a final finish :wink:


Dave

You damn heathen applying shellac with a foam brush:mad:
One uses wadding wrapped in fine white linen, and make sure your appropriately dressed, shirt and tie is a must, sleeves may be rolled up an inch or two, but you may not remove your Bowler hat, that way you may get an acceptable finish.

Nice job, looking great and Shellac is very underated, very easy to repair and once hard very tough and durable, just make sure you dont dribble any of your scotch on to it, Ha! I'm sure you don't spill a drop.

Wow, that's gorgeous.

:shock:

Stop right now CD That isn't fair to the rest of us Schmucks in the comp.

These are the pictures I've been waiting for. I just KNEW that thing was gonna explode!
Now I can't wait to see (and hear) it finished! Great job!

WOW!

After seeing this picture I realized that your(and everybody else's) workmate has a step on the side. :shock:

Not mine... I got the cheap one!

ooo....pretty!!!

You damn heathen applying shellac with a foam brush:mad:
One uses wadding wrapped in fine white linen, and make sure your appropriately dressed, shirt and tie is a must, sleeves may be rolled up an inch or two, but you may not remove your Bowler hat, that way you may get an acceptable finish
LMFAO, made me think of that line from "The Time Machine", "All bowler hat! I just want to knock them off!" Professor Alexander Hartdegen

Nice job, looking great and Shellac is very underated, very easy to repair and once hard very tough and durable, just make sure you dont dribble any of your scotch on to it, Ha! I'm sure you don't spill a drop
Thanks! :smile: Waste not want not :wink:

Wow, that's gorgeous.

:shock:

Stop right now CD That isn't fair to the rest of us Schmucks in the comp.

Thanks Phil, Dave, just think, I almost bought walnut :lol:

These are the pictures I've been waiting for. I just KNEW that thing was gonna explode!
Now I can't wait to see (and hear) it finished! Great job!

Thanks a lot Emo! :smile:

WOW!
Well said :grin:

ooo....pretty!!!
Isn't it though? What a wondrous wood, such a mix of tough and delicate. Thanks for stopping by :smile:

Looking very slick, Dave.

Hey Dave I saw in another thread you were looking for water slide decal paper.

http://i.imgur.com/fJh4z.jpg (http://imgur.com/fJh4z)

I found this stuff made by Testors. I got it at a model railroad hobby store but I'm sure you could find it anyplace that sells model planes, trains and automobiles. If you have no luck let me know, the hobby store had lots of it and I think there is a post office somewhere in my town :wink:.

Oh and they make it for laser printers and ink jet printers.

Hey Dave I saw in another thread you were looking for water slide decal paper.

http://i.imgur.com/fJh4z.jpg (http://imgur.com/fJh4z)

I found this stuff made by Testors. I got it at a model railroad hobby store but I'm sure you could find it anyplace that sells model planes, trains and automobiles. If you have no luck let me know, the hobby store had lots of it and I think there is a post office somewhere in my town :wink:.

Oh and they make it for laser printers and ink jet printers.

This is what I use. I've had mixed results with different printers, though, but I have no way of knowing whether that's a strike against the paper or one of the printers.

When it works it works well though.

This is what I use. I've had mixed results with different printers, though, but I have no way of knowing whether that's a strike against the paper or one of the printers.

When it works it works well though.

I've only used them on one printer so far but, I found that when you read the directions slow enough to comprehend them, well then it works really well. I think the key is getting a coat of lacquer on them before attempting to water slide them.

I bought a stack or Papilio water-slide decal paper off Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Papilio-Laser-Clear-Waterslide-Sheets/dp/B005T4XHKW/ref=sr_1_7?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1334155050&sr=1-7). I've had really good luck with it.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sSvyd9iyE-c/T4Hi4RQg5VI/AAAAAAAABO4/OacHGMB5yK4/s800/CD1466.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nN78PtAJqFw/T4Hi4kOnA3I/AAAAAAAABO8/m3ceAt_UqZw/s800/CD1468.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jMxmqPHFNx0/T4Hi4bXmrlI/AAAAAAAABO0/P85wY8y0z-U/s800/CD1467.JPG

:shock: HOLY MOLEY!!! :shock:
STUNNING!!! Nice job! Can't wait to see it finished!!

That has come up really well with the shellac on it. The photos (on my monitor) make it look as though most of the pink has gone, but that may well not be the actual colour you have. I have used that type of cedar before, and have found that the pink goes when exposed to a bit of sunlight - on that basis it should look even more fantastic in a few months.

It looks beautiful, Dave! What kind of shellac are you using?
It looks cloudy -- I guess it's not unwaxed?