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First build, aka "Things I learned today"

ok day one (ok two I did do some cuts last night) I'll size the pics and put them on the bucket or upload them.

1. scarf joints are a %$^&#$*&%^ to clamp

2. cutting the headstock block to length before cutting the scarf makes a really nice oak sanding block

3. scarf joints are a &^%*(%$# to clamp

4. sometimes it is indeed better to be lucky than good. When thicknessing the body block to thicken the neck where it goes through the box, just wing it and stop when it feels good, then slip it into the box slots and viola! perfect fit the lid closes flush with the neck relief. (I will be a bit more careful in the future as that could have been bad)

5. scarf joints.. you get the idea

6. cutting the headstock was a bit more dicey than I thought (you guys make it look so easy!)

All in all it was good and while there will be a few things I'll tighten up in the future the learning curve isn't so steep that the project was in danger of failing..

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Attachments:

box cut.jpg, 58 KB
neck block.jpg, 97 KB
scarf1.jpg, 101 KB

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Permalink Reply by Keith on January 30, 2015 at 2:48pm

It is indeed walnut, I must admit that it came about by accident. I was shaping the bridge and got the base crooked and once I got it level again the bridge was too short so I cut a piece of walnut and "shimmed it" lol. I love it! I am looking for covers for the holes, haven't seen anything that leapt out at me yet. I learned lots and many little flaws in her that I'll not repeat on the next build, but you only get one first, and she's mine and I love her warts and all.

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Permalink Reply by Keith on January 31, 2015 at 5:50am

Ok Here is the after action report. The lessons learned during the build. First you must come to enjoy the process as much as the product, otherwise you rush and make mistakes. Know your tools, not knowing that the bearing on the round over but was too small left a groove in the neck that can't be sanded out. Visualize the finished look and measure carefully then think about the whole task or you too can have a heel that is too short and enters the box. Determine that your not going to learn everything by experience. Look at many guitars, or cbg's or whatever and look at them in detail not doin this is how i Wound up with my tuners so far up on the head stock and winding the wrong way. Keep tolerances tight you can sand it down but you can't un sand it. Don't eyeball straight and level, check it, and check it again. If there is room for another clamp, use another clamp. A hand belt sander with 120 grit belt removes more wood faster than you can believe. Find a group of people that are experienced in doing what you are doing and let them encourage and help. They will be awesome cheerleaders and will help get you over the big bumps! Then just have as much fun as you can and realize there is and always will be a vast difference in quality between my first cbg and the beautiful instruments made by the long timers here.
Ok enough of that, time to get back to work on my new project then to scrounge parts for a suitcase amp......