I've talked about this several times and I'm finally back to building #2!  When I built my first guitar I didn't have the CNC, actually built the CNC while I was finishing that guitar so the only job I did on the CNC for that guitar was a little bit of the bridge.  I began build #2 while I was building #1 but got so busy with high-end custom woodworking for other folks that I set #2 aside; I didn't realize it was going to be for 5+ years.

 

Now that I have the CNC I would like to use it for a few more tasks in the building of #2 so the first thing I did was to take photos of the body rim and draw that as closely as possible in my CAD program.  The short video below is using a Sharpie to draw that outline so I could see how close my digital drawing came to the hand shaped rims - pretty close as it turns out.

 

The body is Honduras Mahogany, the lining is Maple with a little Curly Maple thrown in for aesthetics, the top will be Sitka Spruce, and the neck will be glued up African/Honduras Mahogany with a Maple stripe (that could change).  The body shape is my design but is very close to my Takamine Grand Auditorium (probably close to Martin's GA or OM, as well).

 

I'll post updates to the build here in this thread so follow along and ask questions, offer comments, and I'll do my best to get this guitar finished soon so I can get started on more guitars.

 

Awesome!!

Count me in for the journey. A whole new level of woodworking. Appreciate you are sharing the build here David.

Thanks, guys!  

 

Rosette inlay test on Honduras Mahogany.  This is sort of a twisted vine that I drew and decided to use on the guitar but I wanted to test it first.  The Mahogany was already cut and the proper thickness for a guitar top (sort of, it is 0.080" thick).  The inlay pieces are Maple and Redheart.  There's a short video below showing the steps I used to make the inlay.

 

WOW & DOUBLE WOW. That is beautiful. I personally like the redheart. You have the amazing patience David. Thanks for the video tutorial too.

22 minutes ago, Grandpadave52 said:

WOW & DOUBLE WOW. That is beautiful. I personally like the redheart. You have the amazing patience David. Thanks for the video tutorial too.

Thanks, Dave!  I like the Redheart, as well.  For the actual guitar top I want a little more subtle look but that's subject to change.

Got started on the top today and decided on Curly Maple and Imbuya Burl for the rosette. 

Looks good David. Will the spruce have a natural finish or stain, then finish?

Thanks, Dave!  The entire guitar will be French polish Shellac, no stain anywhere.

8 hours ago, difalkner said:

Thanks, Dave!  The entire guitar will be French polish Shellac, no stain anywhere.

That's going to be a beauty. A luthier's delight.

My oh my - keep those pics & videos coming David, beautiful work

Rosette inlay completed but not yet glued or sanded flush - 

Fancy. Will look fantastic once the opening is cut and eventually the finish. Enjoying the build sequence.

Thanks, Dave!  I'll probably cut the soundhole and outer profile tomorrow.

The rosette is completed and the top rough cut to shape (actual shape plus 3/16" all the way around).  No finish yet but a little Naphtha on the rosette close-up.  Not perfect but I'll take it. 

Awesome!

That is really cool! I miss playing acoustics. I can’t anymore due to my right shoulder being replace and the angle gets to uncomfortable after 10-15 mins. 

That's a shame, Kev.  I'm not sure what I would do if I had to stop playing; thoroughly enjoy it!

8 hours ago, difalkner said:

That's a shame, Kev.  I'm not sure what I would do if I had to stop playing; thoroughly enjoy it!

I can still play my electric but I miss finger picking and using different parts of my fingers for different tones….

Finished the video for the rosette and cutting the top out.  Next will be cutting and fitting braces to the underside of the top.