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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 26, 2015 at 6:05am

scored a piece of maple burl veneer for the headstock, think I'll use it on #2 though. Beautiful piece

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Permalink Reply by Keith on January 26, 2015 at 6:52am

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Permalink Reply by Keith on January 26, 2015 at 7:25am

ok just glued up the second scarf joint using the staple method, thank you Oily!!! it worked awesome. a no frustration scarf joint who knew? Ok well all of you, but not this amateur.. laminated the the veneer to headstock. Trying to go much slower and not repeat any mistakes. Waiting not so patiently for deliveries from C.B. Gitty and the fretboards from ebay. should have a complete CBG in a week or so...

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on January 30, 2015 at 3:44pm

Glad to pass on knowledge I scammed from somewhere else >:-E

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Permalink Reply by Keith on January 27, 2015 at 10:58am

ok I am now starting my bridge, I decided to use some whitetail antlers. It is shaping well and by keeping the hard surface intact it should work well plus it gives me an excuse to keep the pathetically small antlers off the pathetically small bucks I tend to kill.

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Permalink Reply by Keith on January 29, 2015 at 7:50am

just got the fretboards and I have to say in my totally untrained and inexperienced opinion they look great. I'm putting one on now we'll see how it goes.

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Permalink Reply by Scott aka Farmer Ted on January 29, 2015 at 8:06am

Quick tip...mark your position "dot" locations (3,5,7,9,12, etc), and drill 1/16" hole at 3rd and last "dot" location...use small finish nail (not put in all the way so it can be removed) to anchor fretboard, so it doesn't slide like the scarf, and glue & clamp...when dry, remove nails, continue.

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Permalink Reply by Keith on January 29, 2015 at 8:25am

ooh, good idea! I already used oily's staple trick on this one, but the next!

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Permalink Reply by Keith on January 30, 2015 at 9:27am

Well folks submitted for your approval, it has the pickups tuned up and played it! what a great feeling! this is awesome. I call it "One Of" as I have no idea how far this will go I cannot put the last number in the name....