Finished Pics! Lighter and with pizzazz - pumping up a Harley

[6v6]

Interesting build! I think covering the cavities and making them airtight will be enough to fight feedback (thinking of an acoustic guitar soundhole bung which works by sealing the cavity not filling it) but I doubt foam inside would do any harm

[HowieBass]

Maybe you can put a little 'time capsule' inside one of the cavities?

[Harryburke14]

[quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1484431819' post='3215486']
Maybe you can put a little 'time capsule' inside one of the cavities?
[/quote]

I like that idea. Just what to put in...

[gelfin]

If you put something in make sure it can't move.

If it rattled it would drive you nuts.

[Andyjr1515]

[quote name='gelfin' timestamp='1484432298' post='3215493']
If you put something in make sure it can't move.

If it rattled it would drive you nuts.
[/quote]
Blast! That's the pea shot off the list then....

[gelfin]

[URL=http://s970.photobucket.com/user/gelfin5959/media/Drink%20to%20that_zpsu8czsnkd.jpg.html][IMG]http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/ae181/gelfin5959/Drink%20to%20that_zpsu8czsnkd.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[Andyjr1515]

Thanks, folks

Loads more sanding to do but the finish is basically off. Decent bit of wood





Just gluing on the covers

Edited January 16, 2017 by Andyjr1515

[Low End Bee]

[quote name='JPJ' timestamp='1484416880' post='3215361']
I have also heard of filling chambers in musical instruments to fight resonance and feedback.
[/quote]

I briefly owned an early 60s Epiphone Rivoli that was stuffed with old newspaper in the cavitiy. Took forever to get it all out of the f-holes with a bent coat hanger. I believe this was fairly common practice on semis.

[martthebass]

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1484418356' post='3215384']
Phew - I'm not going totally bonkers, then!
[/quote]

Last time I looked my Status was filled with foam........I'll get me coat

[Grangur]

[quote name='martthebass' timestamp='1484582955' post='3216488']
Last time I looked my Status was filled with foam........I'll get me coat
[/quote]
Cool... cavity wall insulation for instruments! What could be better in a cold pub?

Edited January 16, 2017 by Grangur

[Harryburke14]

Its strange to see how different and pale it looks without the varnish. Cant wait to see it with the veneer on now though...

[Andyjr1515]

[quote name='Low End Bee' timestamp='1484577290' post='3216432']


I briefly owned an early 60s Epiphone Rivoli that was stuffed with old newspaper in the cavitiy. Took forever to get it all out of the f-holes with a bent coat hanger. I believe this was fairly common practice on semis.
[/quote]
Ah...I bet that's what I'm thinking of. True semi acoustics to prevent feedback! This one will be fine

[pete.young]

I've seen Kapok used to achieve the same effect.

[Andyjr1515]

Covers on and sanded, a little more off the back and we are down to 4lb 12oz



If all goes to plan, I should be able to get the top veneered tomorrow.

[Si600]

Is it tomorrow yet?

[Andyjr1515]

It's tomorrow, Si600

Many of you will have seen me do this before, but basically, this is my veneering kit:


I actually use an old R/C modelling heatshrink iron but a standard domestic iron will do just as well

I always take an impression of the screw holes, etc, so I can find them again once it's veneered:


The PVA is applied to both the body and the veneer and allowed to dry. The little spritzer is to give the back a light mist of water to counteract the bending.

Here is one of the halves drying:


...and then it's ironed on, starting with the centre-line and making sure it doesn't drift:


I cut some of the chambers before I add the second half. Makes it easier to find them. I iron round the edges to make sure, when it's trimmed that they are well glued. Note that, as long as the bend is in one axis only (like the arm-relief), the veneer bends quite readily:


And here it is, rough trimmed and waiting sanding and smoothing out of the join-line, etc:

[Bastav]

What a facelift!

[Harryburke14]

love it

[Andyjr1515]

I know this is a bit of a Marmite issue, but I LOVE this...

I'm putting a subtle burst into it, but this is the base stain:

[Harryburke14]

Red was definitely a good choice. Superb

[scrumpymike]

Good grief Andy - anybody would think that you actually ENJOY doing all this!!

Seriously though, I've been following each posting like some addicted 'soap' fan - can't wait for the next episode! The chambering question is an interesting one and I guess the key is 'control'; you can obviously engineer cavities to enhance the final sound but on an unknown, one-off project like this the safe bet is probably to in-fill them.

[Guest aDx]

sweet!

[Andyjr1515]

Thanks, folks!

This is the burst shading - aimed at emphasising the starburst within the figuring. Forgive the poor light...:


The figuring will enhance as the varnish coats go on, but I think it is enhanced by the stain also:

[cheddatom]

very cool

[Norris]

That's going to look beautiful