TheGreek Posted September 22, 2019 Posted September 22, 2019 On 21/09/2019 at 16:39, Jimothey said: But you’ve just spent all that time making it look nice a shiny??........😜 22 hours ago, SpondonBassed said: Dang! I was going to say that. Went over my head at first.... 3 Quote
Andyjr1515 Posted September 25, 2019 Author Posted September 25, 2019 The body varnishing passed the three day rule: after three days the varnish will have dried sufficiently to reveal if there are any nasties that would mean a sand down and a few more coats So we are now definitely on the home run. Today was completing the sanding and shaping of the neck and starting to apply the finish: The extension blocks on the heel are the same walnut as on the rosette, headstock plate and tailstock and so should provide some visual links. The heel and back/top of the headstock will be gloss, with the playing area of the neck slurried-to-satin with Danish Oil. Bone saddle is on order, tomorrow I will make a truss-rod cover and then, once the finish on the neck is complete, if will be ready to assemble and string up. 5 Quote
SpondonBassed Posted September 25, 2019 Posted September 25, 2019 (edited) Mmmm. There's some nice grain in that chair's legs too. Does Mrs AJR have an full inventory of the furniture in the house or could it one day just simply... disappear? Edited September 25, 2019 by SpondonBassed 1 Quote
Andyjr1515 Posted September 25, 2019 Author Posted September 25, 2019 4 minutes ago, SpondonBassed said: Does Mrs AJR have an full inventory of the furniture in the house or could it one day just simply... disappear? What - you mean like the other one did.... ? 1 1 Quote
cheddatom Posted September 26, 2019 Posted September 26, 2019 Outstanding work, I'm really enjoying this thread, thanks! 1 Quote
Andyjr1515 Posted September 27, 2019 Author Posted September 27, 2019 It's in the nature of acoustics that, even when they LOOK close to being finished, they often AREN'T all that close to being finished. The thing that makes it look pretty close is that the strings are on: and the neck looks OK: But, in spite of me having had 3 or 4 goes at the neck angle - which is a right old b***ache because every time you have to get the neck off (not easy fiddling about with allen keys through the soundhole) and then chisel evenly and at the right angle the shockingly hard rock maple and ebony - nevertheless, it STILL isn't right. It isn't far out - probably a couple of degrees - but the action is far too high with a test saddle sitting at the lowest practical level, and thus the intonation and playability is pretty shocking. A couple of degrees, including the flush fit challenge and the multiple re-assembly to see how close it is (this is essential because overdo it and you have a REAL problem. Getting that right can change the scale length!!!) will take a disproportionate number of hours. I'm tempted to make up a custom sanding block so I can sand both sides and the bottom of the tenon at the same time. However, there is very little left to do beyond that - truss rod cover, tweak of the nut, final polishing up, heel strap lock - and, I have to say, the tone sounds promising So ETA for finish remains end of next week, albeit with allen-key and set-screw shredded fingers. 8 Quote
SpondonBassed Posted September 27, 2019 Posted September 27, 2019 I have every confidence in you for the final leg Andy. Would a ratcheting Allen driver help? I can probably sort out something from my toolkit for you if it helps with the repetitive assembly/disassembly. PM me with the size if you like and I'll see what I've got. Quote
Andyjr1515 Posted September 27, 2019 Author Posted September 27, 2019 5 hours ago, SpondonBassed said: I have every confidence in you for the final leg Andy. Would a ratcheting Allen driver help? I can probably sort out something from my toolkit for you if it helps with the repetitive assembly/disassembly. PM me with the size if you like and I'll see what I've got. Hi John. Very kind of you but an allen key is actually the easiest way. There's so little room, the bulk of even the mini ratchets don't really help. I had another bash today having found an allen key with a longer long side and a shorter short side. I now have the basic neck angle where I need it - I now just need to go through (hopefully) one more time to get a gap free joint. The really encouraging thing is that - now I've got the strings at a playable action height - it sounds as good as I'd hoped 2 Quote
Maude Posted September 27, 2019 Posted September 27, 2019 Just a thought, would a quarter drive allen socket with a long extention bar so that the ratchet is in line with the soundhole help at all, rather than reaching inside with a standard allen key? Quote
Andyjr1515 Posted September 27, 2019 Author Posted September 27, 2019 2 minutes ago, Maude said: Just a thought, would a quarter drive allen socket with a long extention bar so that the ratchet is in line with the soundhole help at all, rather than reaching inside with a standard allen key? Perhaps - and that's actually what the longer allen key is effectively doing. The only way though, in either case, is to get your hand fully into the chamber with the soundhole around your wrist. It's a bit like squeezing your hand into a ladies bangle (so I'm told) 1 2 Quote
Maude Posted September 27, 2019 Posted September 27, 2019 If the allen key reaches back to the soundhole then, yes, it's essentially doing the same thing. 👍 1 Quote
Daz39 Posted September 27, 2019 Posted September 27, 2019 20 minutes ago, Andyjr1515 said: Perhaps - and that's actually what the longer allen key is effectively doing. The only way though, in either case, is to get your hand fully into the chamber with the soundhole around your wrist. It's a bit like squeezing your hand into a ladies bangle (so I'm told) That’s the most inadvertent middle-aged euphemism i’ve ever heard! Go wash your flanges clean with soap!! 3 Quote
SpondonBassed Posted September 28, 2019 Posted September 28, 2019 15 hours ago, Andyjr1515 said: ladies bangle (Looks up human anatomy.) 2 Quote
Andyjr1515 Posted September 30, 2019 Author Posted September 30, 2019 And finished, bar the final set-up tweaks. Forgive the self indulgence: ..and the obligatory artyish fortyish shots: 17 Quote
SpondonBassed Posted September 30, 2019 Posted September 30, 2019 Showing us your holiday snaps might be considered self-indulgence. This photo montage however is obligatory. The BC lynch-mob would be after you if you held back. Mighty fine. 1 1 Quote
baldwinbass Posted October 1, 2019 Posted October 1, 2019 I've followed this build with awe - well done! 1 Quote
Andyjr1515 Posted October 1, 2019 Author Posted October 1, 2019 2 minutes ago, TheGreek said: Matt will be pleased.... I think he will Having pretty much finished the setup, I put the 'proper' strings on today - and I reckon this sounds every bit as good as my own. So that means I get mine back too! Result 2 1 Quote
Len_derby Posted October 6, 2019 Posted October 6, 2019 As usual Andy, a work of beauty. To my eyes the back of the guitar is more attractive than the front. If the owner feels the same way, and wants to show it off, there may have to be a dynamic variation of the ZZ Top 'flip your guitar' routine. 😳😀 1 Quote
Andyjr1515 Posted October 7, 2019 Author Posted October 7, 2019 9 hours ago, Len_derby said: As usual Andy, a work of beauty. To my eyes the back of the guitar is more attractive than the front. If the owner feels the same way, and wants to show it off, there may have to be a dynamic variation of the ZZ Top 'flip your guitar' routine. 😳😀 I'll suggest it to Matt Quote
Hellzero Posted October 7, 2019 Posted October 7, 2019 Terrific work. Congratulations ! Looks better than most of the high end acoustic guitars seen in the stores and surely sounds damn good. 👍👌🍾 Quote
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