Ok, I've mentioned this many times and it's finally to a point where I can post photos.  Over the last 30 years or so I have replaced tops, backs, done fret jobs, inlay, glued braces and lining, refinished, made bridges, saddles, and nuts, replaced tuners, and all kinds of repairs, etc. but this is the first guitar I've built from scratch. 

 

I cut all the wood for this including resawing the back/sides/top, cutting the binding and bracing from lumber or billets, etc.  Along the way I've designed and built my own modular cantilever side bending fixture that will accommodate sizes from Jumbo down to 0, possibly smaller like a Ukulele. I'll post photos of the side bending fixture later and also built all the forms, fixtures, templates, and jigs for the build.  I started the build a couple of years ago just working an hour in the evening, sometimes two, and some on weekends, but I put it aside and didn't touch it for about 8 months.

 

I'll tell you ahead of time that it sounds good, is bright, has great sustain, and plays very easily with good action.  But it may be a while before I make a video of it being played.

 

Back and sides - Honduras Mahogany
Top and bracing - Sitka Spruce
Neck - African Mahogany with Maple and Honduras Mahogany center pieces 
Headstock, rosette, arm bevel, heel cap, and tail wedge - Walnut burl
Headstock inlay - Zebrawood
Fingerboard, bridge - East Indian Rosewood
Binding, purfling - Zebrawood and Maple
Sound port lining - Macassar Ebony
Solid lining - Honduras Mahogany
Side braces - Honduras Mahogany
Finish - Shellac (French polish), measured just over 1 mil at the bridge

 

The neck is bolted on and I devised a way for it to be completely removable.  It can go from tuned to pitch to neck off in about 5 minutes.  In the week that the guitar has been tuned to pitch it is holding its tuning as good as my other guitars.  The intonation still needs some minor tweaking but I'll play it a while before working on it again. 

 

Assuming I like it enough to play in church I'll install a K&K Pure Mini pickup.  If I decide to just play it at home and with friends I'll save the pickup for a future guitar.

In the meantime, here are a few photos of the build and some of the finished guitar. 

 

Back bracing with Padauk glue strip -

 

Top bracing -

 

Gluing the back in place -

 

Finished guitar.  I didn't want a super high gloss finish but rather decided to do an old world vintage patina.  Nothing against the super high gloss finishes but I have 5 guitars with high gloss finish and wanted this one to be different.  Now that I've done it this way I like it even better than I thought I would.

 

So feel free to comment, ask questions, critique.  I have about 1,500 photos of the build and good documentation but these few photos tell the story just fine, I think, so I'll spare you the copious extras.

 

Enjoy!
David

That's quite the ambitious project.  Looks wonderful and you should show it off with pride.

One gorgeous piece of very skilled work. Knowing next to nothing about building a stringed instrument, I'm guessing an acoustic guitar build requires a bit more than a solid body electric, right?

Dave, do us a favor and add some tags to your post. I'd do it but, as I said, I'm ignorant of the process.

Thanks everyone!  It is definitely fun to build these and I'm looking forward to the next one.

 

I'll be happy to add some tags, Gene.  Where do I do that?

 

David

That is beautiful David.  Hope you will post up an audio soon!

Thanks, Dave. At the top of your post, right under the title, there's a little grey button to add tags. Just need a few or several relevant words or phrases will help folks find the info you've posted.

That must be visible only to mods.  Do I make up the tags or are there some from which to choose?

 

David

6 minutes ago, difalkner said:

must be visible only to mods

@John Morris  That's Odd!

Well, Maybe me being a mod means that's what I see. The opportunity to provide tags must only be available when you first start a new topic. I thought the button was available always. 

Maybe @John Morris can enlighten us.

I've seen that when I post but haven't used it before. 

 

Tags, hmmmm… Acoustic guitar, French polish, bending wood, inlay - that sort of thing?  Add 'em if you're able, fine with me.

 

David

There’s a couple of tags. 

I think the tags can be added in edit but there is a limited time available for edit (in hours). That is one fine instrument build. I just do not have the patience  for that work. Have a SIL living in Shreveport and my wife was in Haughton when we meet in NLSC. Have not been there in a long time maybe sometime we will visit SIL  again.

Dave, I just realized that you’re from Bossier City.  I lived there for a couple of years when was stationed at Barksdale.  Nice area.  

Dave, why the Padauk strip, for strength,or appearance through the hole?

You did a splendid job.

 

 

Herb

Edited July 24, 20187 yr by Dadio

Thanks, Ron. I added a few more.

2 hours ago, Dadio said:

Dave, why the Padauk strip, for strength,or appearance through the hole?

You did a splendid job.

 

 

Herb

Thanks everyone! 

 

Herb, the Padauk is for a highly technical reason - I like Padauk.

 

David

Late getting here...WOW!!

Beautiful instrument and design David. I think the finish is fantastic by enhancing the piece taking the eye to the craftsmanship and detail.

Well done all around including the Scripture inlay.

great job~!!!   nice label too

I realize this is an older thread but since this video pertains to the thread this is the best place to post it, even if I did complete the guitar almost 5 years ago (doesn't seem like it's been that long).  This is mostly about French polishing the top but there are some additional photos and the video is short, less than 3 minutes long.

 

 

Edited February 8, 20233 yr by difalkner

I had the honor getting to hear Doyle Dykes play my first guitar this week; gotta' say it was pretty cool.  I may never play it again, though! LOL!